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This refreshing mint-chocolate spin on traditional muddy buddies has quickly become my go-to quick treat for watching movies and holiday get-togethers. The cool mix of Andes mints with crunchy Chex makes a snack so tempting it vanishes almost as soon as I finish making it.
I whipped up these mint muddy buddies for a St. Patrick's Day gathering last spring, and now everyone asks me for them. My niece always wants us to make some when she comes over because, as she puts it, "they're like having winter and summer in one bite."
Ingredients
- Andes Mints: Give that awesome chocolate-mint base that makes this snack unique. Try to grab ones that aren't melty or too soft
- Unsalted butter: Makes the chocolate mix nice and creamy without extra flavors. Better brands really make a difference
- Chex cereal: Gives that perfect snap and lots of surface for the yummy coating. Rice Chex is best but you can use whatever kind you have
- Powdered sugar: Makes that classic muddy buddy outer layer. Run it through a sifter for best results
- Green candy melts: Bring fun color and extra mintiness. Pick a bright shade to make it look amazing
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix Your Sweet Base:
- Put cut-up Andes Mints and butter in a bowl that's safe for the microwave. Warm them up carefully in quick intervals, mixing well each time. You want everything completely smooth with no chunks. Take your time so you don't burn the chocolate – it's worth being patient.
- Mix With Cereal:
- Dump your cereal into a big bowl with plenty of extra room. Slowly pour the melted mix over while gently turning with a spatula. Keep folding until every bit gets coated but watch out not to smash the cereal. You want a nice thin layer on each piece.
- Dust With Sugar:
- Put your chocolate-covered cereal in a big ziplock bag with some space left for mixing. Add the powdered sugar and close it up tight, pushing out extra air. Shake softly at first, then harder until everything's fully covered. The cereal should look all white with no brown spots showing.
- Add Final Touches:
- Lay the covered cereal flat on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle extra chopped Andes Mints on top while still a bit sticky. Melt your green candy bits following the package until they're totally smooth. Use a fork to drizzle lines across everything, making some thick and some thin. Wait until completely dry before you eat or pack it up.
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The Andes Mints really make this recipe shine. I first tried them during a family dinner at Olive Garden when I was little – they came with our bill, and I've loved them ever since. That perfect mix of chocolate and mint somehow makes these muddy buddies way more addictive than the regular kind.
Storage Solutions
These mint treats stay crunchy and tasty when kept right. Store them in containers that seal tight at normal room temp for best results. Don't put them in the fridge because moisture can form and make the sugar coating wet and mushy. If you're making them ahead as gifts, put wax paper between layers inside pretty tins or Mason jars. For keeping them longer, you can freeze the mix for up to 3 months in freezer bags after squeezing the air out.
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Creative Variations
Though Andes Mints create the main flavor here, you can easily switch things up for different times of year or taste choices. For stronger mint flavor, add a tiny bit of mint extract to your melting chocolate. During Christmas, try broken candy canes instead of extra Andes Mints on top. For a cookies and cream twist, use white chocolate instead of Andes Mints and mix in crushed Oreos at the end. The basic recipe works so well for trying new flavor combos.
Serving Suggestions
Make your mint muddy buddies into a fun dessert spread by adding other matching treats. Go with a mint chocolate theme using little brownies, mint chip cookies, and cold milk on the side. At parties, put small amounts in cupcake papers so folks can grab them easily. They're also super good sprinkled over vanilla or chocolate ice cream. During holiday season, put them in clear bags tied with pretty ribbons for simple but impressive homemade presents that look like you worked much harder than you did.
Common Questions
- → How do you melt the Andes mints?
Pop the Andes mints and butter in the microwave for 15 seconds at a time, giving them a good stir between each round until they're nice and smooth.
- → Can I substitute the green candy melts?
Sure thing, you can melt some white chocolate and add a few drops of food coloring to get that same green look.
- → What type of cereal is best for this snack?
Chex cereal really does the job best because it catches all that chocolatey coating in its little squares.
- → How should I store the muddy buddies?
Just put them in a container that seals tight and they'll stay fresh at room temperature for about a week.
- → Can I add mix-ins to this snack?
Absolutely, throw in some pretzels, nuts, or tiny marshmallows if you want more crunch and flavor.