Prepare the Cereal:
Begin by placing 9 cups of rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl. The bowl should be large enough to hold all the cereal and provide ample space for tossing in the spiced coating.

Melt the White Chocolate and Butter:
In a medium saucepan, combine 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips and ½ cup unsalted butter. Add 1 cup apple cider and heat over medium-low heat. Stir frequently until everything melts and becomes smooth.

Add the Brown Sugar and Spices:
Stir in ½ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg into the mixture. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the spices blend well. The scent of apple pie will fill your kitchen at this stage.

Coat the Cereal:
Pour the spiced mixture over the rice Chex cereal, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Stir gently to avoid breaking the cereal.

Add the Powdered Sugar:
Transfer the coated cereal to a large resealable plastic bag or another mixing bowl. Add 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, seal the bag, and shake it vigorously to coat the cereal in the sugar. Alternatively, stir the powdered sugar into the bowl to coat the cereal evenly.

Let It Cool:
Spread the puppy chow onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to allow it to cool and firm up for about 10–15 minutes.

Optional Garnishes:
For added flavor and texture, sprinkle chopped dried apples and cinnamon sugar over the cooled puppy chow. The dried apples will enhance the apple flavor and give it a chewy texture that complements the crispy cereal.