Sugar Cookie Puppy Chow

We ran a story in our newscast the other morning about which Christmas song is American’s favorite to sing along to in the car. The number one song was “Jingle Bell Rock”. I’m guessing it’s the version you hear most on the radio; the one sung by Bobby Helms and recorded in 1957.

After listening to that story, I got to thinking. What’s my favorite Christmas song?

I’m not just talking about favorite song to sing along to in the car, either. What is my favorite Christmas song of all time?

I always split this inner debate into two categories:

• Religious/hymnal
• Popular music

My favorite religious or hymnal Christmas song has to be “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. It’s a little out there, and a little eerie when you hear a choir sing it, but I think that’s what I like most about it. I used to love “O Holy Night” until all of these pop singers got their claws on it and made it sound terrible. The only version I like now is by Nat King Cole.

My favorite pop song for Christmas is “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole. It’s essential listening in my opinion. It’s the epitome of a “best” Christmas song. I hear it and immediately get all of those warm and fuzzy feelings.

I also have a running list of Christmas songs that will make me change the channel as quickly as possible. “Christmas Canon” (NOT A CHRISTMAS SONG!!!) is one of them, along with any version of “Santa Baby”, “I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas” (sorry, OKC Zoo) and “Christmas Shoes” (too sad).

What’s your favorite/least favorite Christmas song?

In my Christmas-baking-and-listening-to-music frenzy this weekend, I went with a simple microwave puppy chow to give to my oven a break. I thought this turned out delightful, and is very easy to make for any last-minute parties you might be attending. It’s also a really good snack to wrap up and give as gifts. It’s fun, festive, and has mounds of sugar in it. There’s nothing better than lots of sugar during the holidays!

My secret ingredient here: almond extract. I put almond extract in any vanilla baked good. It gives it an extra boost of flavor and I think it enhances the vanilla. Just a drop goes a long way, though, so watch out for that.

Enjoy!

Sugar Cookie Puppy Chow

• Servings: 10-12
• Time: 20 mins
• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

Corn chex with a vanilla and powdered sugar coating, topped with melted white chocolate and Christmas sprinkles.

Ingredients

• 6 cups rice Chex
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. water
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 4 oz. white chocolate baking bars, melted
• Christmas sprinkles

Directions

1. Pour chex into a large microwavable bowl. In a small bowl, melt butter. Stir in sugar and water. Microwave for 30 seconds to form a sort of glaze. Stir in both extracts.
2. Pour melted butter mixture over rice Chex and toss well to coat. Microwave for 4 minutes, stopping every minute to stir.
3. Sprinkle powdered sugar on Chex and toss to coat.
4. Lay out Chex on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Let cool completely.
5. Drizzle melted white chocolate on top and sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles. Let stand until chocolate hardens and then break into pieces to serve.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Pour chex into a large microwavable bowl. In a small bowl, melt butter. Stir in sugar and water. Microwave for 30 seconds to form a sort of glaze. Stir in both extracts.

Pour melted butter mixture over rice Chex and toss well to coat. Microwave for 4 minutes, stopping every minute to stir.

Sprinkle powdered sugar on Chex and toss to coat.

Lay out Chex on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Let cool completely.

Drizzle melted white chocolate on top and sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles. Let stand until chocolate hardens and then break into pieces to serve.