Autumn Buddies are a colorful fall twist on everyone’s favorite muddy buddy recipe!
Muddy Buddies are a favorite around here (I have my own version that I can’t resist…that’s coming later) but Autumn Buddies have gained some traction. The flavors of the add-on ingredients blend well with the existing flavors of this tasty treat.
I first thought about tweaking and twisting the original when I saw a pic of someone’s Christmas version with its red and green color theme. Having made this super close to Halloween, I was really hoping to find Halloween colors of M&Ms but no luck!
So I decided to go with a general fall theme. Reese’s Pieces are a natural choice for fall with their yellow, orange, and brown candies. And because I have some vanilla candy melts on hand at home, I thought I could add some color there on the Chex cereal that is a staple for Muddy Buddies. But the addition of the pretzels is probably my favorite because of the little touch of salt it adds. Partially dipping the pretzels into candy melts is completely optional–you could just toss them in plain. And in fact, half of mine were dipped and half plain.
Quick note about the gel/paste food color: Liquid food coloring is weaker in color and also adds a lot of liquid. Gel/paste is more intense and concentrated in color and does not change the consistency of things as much because of its thickness. Highly recommend.
What’s fun about Autumn Buddies is that it adds color but also some fun new flavor and texture. I am hoping to have a Christmas version ready soon. Like I said, I have my own version of flavors that I absolutely love! But I want to see what else I can add to make it even more special. Stay tuned. Speaking of Christmas, if you haven’t tried it yet my Mud Balls recipe is absolutely delicious and goes really fast at Christmas. It’s just around the corner, you know!
For now, enjoy Autumn Buddies. And, bonus, Reese’s Pieces are not seasonal so you can make this treat year-round. You’re welcome.
Autumn Buddies
- November 2, 2020
- Print this
Ingredients
- 8 cups Chex cereal (I used corn chex), divided
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, divided
- 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil, divided
- 2 cup vanilla/white candy melts, divided
- orange gel paste food coloring
- yellow gel paste food coloring
- 1 cup milk chocolate candy melts
- 2 cups powdered sugar, divided
- 2 gallon zipper bags
- 16 ounces Reese's Pieces
- 4 cups small pretzels (I used the small grid pretzels)
Directions
- Step 1
- Line three sheet pans with parchment or wax paper.
- Step 2
- Pour 4 cups cereal each into two large bowls. Pour 1 cup powdered sugar into each of the zipper bags.
- Step 3
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine 1 cup vanilla candy melts, 1/4 cup peanut butter, and 1/2 Tbsp. vegetable oil. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until smooth. Add in orange food coloring. (Make it very bright because the color will “fade” when you toss with the powdered sugar.) Stir well.
- Step 4
- Immediately pour mixture into one of the bowls of cereal and toss to coat evenly. Pour coated cereal into one of the zipper bags. Seal. Toss to coat cereal in powdered sugar. Pour out onto one of your lined sheet pans.
- Step 5
- Clean the microwave bowl (or use a new one) and add in the milk chocolate candy melts, 1/4 cup peanut butter, and 1/2 Tbsp. vegetable oil. Microwave and stir as you did the other mixture. Pour over the remaining bowl of cereal and toss to coat.
- Step 6
- Pour this chocolate cereal into the other zipper bag of powdered sugar and toss to coat. Pour out onto the other lined sheet pan.
- Step 7
- Take the remaining 1 cup of vanilla candy melts. Melt in microwave in 30 second increments, stirring well in between. Add a dash of vegetable oil if it’s too thick. Stir in your yellow food color. Dip your pretzels into the melt and set on the third lined sheet pan to set up.
- Step 8
- Once the dipped pretzels are set, you can combine your pretzels, coated cereals, and Reese’s Pieces in a large bowl and toss to combine. Store in an airtight container.
