Peppermint Bark Reindeer Chow

This post is in partnership with Ghirardelli, but all opinions are my own.

For many years during the holiday season, I would travel with friends to San Francisco and we would stay at the same hotel, very close to Ghirardelli Square. We would, of course, visit Ghirardelli and load up on their delicious chocolate. The Peppermint Bark was always my favorite, and I would grab as much as possible to take to back home. These days, I get my Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark, along with my other holiday season favorites Ghirardelli Caramel Squares and Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Baking Chips, right at my local Walmart. (It might not be as fun as hopping a plan to San Francisco, but it sure is more convenient.) 

Today I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite holiday recipes made with my beloved Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark. You've all heard of (and hopefully eaten, because it's delicious) the chocolately sweet treat called puppy chow; well this is a next level version of it just for the holidays that we like to call reindeer chow. The peppermint bark is what makes it. I think you'll love it as much as we do. 

Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Reindeer Chow

Yields 15-20 servings

INGREDIENTS
8 cups rice or corn square style cereal

2 cups Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark, broken into small pieces
2.5 cups Ghirardelli semisweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies (optional)


Line a large baking sheet with waxed or parchment paper. Pour cereal into a large bowl. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler on stovetop over low heat (or in a bowl in the microwave in 20 second increments, stirring in between) until smooth. Pour melted chocolate onto cereal in bowl, and mix thoroughly to coat. Transfer mixture to 2 gallon food-storage plastic bag. Add powdered sugar and Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark pieces (and crushed peppermint, if desired) to bag and shake to coat. Spread onto baking sheet until cool, then pour into a serving bowl. Store at room temperature or fridge in covered container.

The best part of this reindeer chow (other than my beloved Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark, of course) is that it's very kid friendly, and we can make it together as a family. Since we're spending the holiday season at home this year and are making more together in the kitchen, it's become a sweet treat recipe that is on regular rotation in our house. We also have so much fun delivering it to friends in the neighborhood, and will be including it in our holiday gift baskets this year as well.

 

If you haven't figured it out by my gushing so far, Ghirardelli is a year round favorite, and a staple in our house during the holiday season. Everyone in my family agrees that it's the highest quality, best tasting chocolate around. Their 60% cacao baking chips have a deliciously rich flavor that elevates my holiday brownie recipe. Ghirardelli Caramel Squares are a decadent combo of melt-in-your-mouth chocolate and buttery caramel and my go-to for stocking stuffers and gift baskets. And their famous Peppermint Bark's rich chocolate layers and crisp peppermint makes it a seasonal tradition we look forward to all year. I am also a huge fan of Ghirardelli's "bean to chocolate" method of production, which is grounded in sustainable practices. As I mentioned above, you can also grab all of these yummy Ghirardelli products at Walmart, or order through Walmart Pickup & Delivery this holiday season. Ghirardelli makes the holidays a bite better!

If you try this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think. And if you have a favorite way to enjoy Ghirardelli during the holidays, I'd love to hear about that too! 

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