1. Gather all ingredients and tools including Rice Chex cereal, cheesecake pudding mix, cherry gelatin mix, powdered sugar, vanilla almond bark, optional sprinkles, a large mixing bowl, a microwave-safe bowl, a spatula, and a gallon-sized zip-top bag.
2. In a gallon-sized zip-top bag, combine cheesecake pudding mix, cherry gelatin mix, and powdered sugar. Mix thoroughly to ensure it is clump-free.
3. Break the vanilla almond bark into smaller chunks and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth. If it’s too thick, add 1 tablespoon of shortening and mix well.
4. Add the Rice Chex cereal to a large mixing bowl. Pour the melted almond bark over the cereal and gently fold using a spatula until all pieces are evenly coated.
5. Pour the coated cereal into the zip-top bag containing the sugar mixture. Seal the bag tightly and shake until the cereal is well-coated with the sugar blend.
6. Once coated, spread the cereal onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Add optional sprinkles or candy melts for decoration.
7. Allow the mixture to cool and set for 15-20 minutes to ensure the coating solidifies and becomes crunchy.
8. Serve immediately or transfer the Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow to an airtight container for storage. Keep in a cool, dry place to enjoy for up to a week.