Cheerio Bars
For all you chaotic kitchen creatives out there, I present to you: Cheerio Bars — a sticky, crunchy, sweet masterpiece you can whip up in your sleep. This recipe is basically a love letter to busy mornings and snack attacks, and it saves the day when you’ve got a sweet tooth but also, like, kids to wrangle or a life to live. You should totally give it a shot because honestly, when have cheerios ever steered you wrong?
In my house, these Cheerio Bars are legendary. It’s one of those recipes that mysteriously disappears off the counter as soon as it cools down, and my husband is usually the prime suspect. Sometimes I wonder if he’s getting up in the middle of the night, ninja-style, for an extra bite. This has been our go-to treat for family picnics or when we all gather on the couch for movie night. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve found a wrapper hidden under the couch. Trust me, these bars have woven themselves into the fabric of our lives, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Why You’ll Love This Cheerio Bars
1. They’re a nostalgic ride back to childhood, minus the cereal sticking to the bowl in the sink for a week.
2. Honestly? No oven drama. You just stir, pour, and wait impatiently.
3. Perfectly imperfect — messy to make, glorious to eat.
4. You can make them with one hand tied behind your back while texting your mom.
How to Make It
Okay, think of this as a chat, not a recipe. Grab your biggest saucepan and toss in the butter, syrup, and sugar. Just melt it all together until it’s a lovely golden mess. Stir like you mean it until you’re convinced nothing’s gonna burn. You want everything to be friends in there, no sugar chunks left out. Then, chuck in the cheerios and keep stirring. The key is in not getting too serious about it. Pour this sticky joy into a pan lined with parchment paper so nothing sticks, and let it cool, although we both know you’ll snitch a bit before that happens. There’ll be some light expletives when you try to cut them, but that’s half the fun. Enjoy with sticky fingers.
Ingredient Notes
– Cheerio Cereal: It’s the hero here. Buy in bulk, trust me, or you’ll run out way too soon.
– Butter: The unsalted kind. Though if you love a salted kick, who’s gonna stop you?
– Sugar: Regular granulated sugar makes it sweet and sticky — like caramel dreams.
– Syrup: Honey or maple syrup works in a pinch. Once tried agave – it was… interesting.
Recipe Steps:
1. Melt butter, syrup, and sugar in a large saucepan until smooth.
2. Stir in cheerios until evenly coated.
3. Pour mixture into a parchment-lined pan.
4. Let it cool before cutting into bars.
What to Serve It With
Honestly, a cold glass of milk does the job. Or coffee if that’s more your speed. These bars easily double as breakfast or dessert. That’s versatility.
Tips & Mistakes
– Do not overheat the syrup; it’ll scorch your dreams.
– Store these babies in an airtight container; don’t want them going stale before you confess your love for them.
Storage Tips
Alright, real talk. These bars live best in an airtight container on the counter or they’ll harden up like my grandma’s cookies. Eating them cold? Well, they’re rock-hard, but I’m not judging if that’s your thing. Honestly, eating them for breakfast is the move — no judgment from this end.
Variations and Substitutions
So many roads you can wander down. Don’t have honey? Go for maple, it gives it a new vibe. No syrup? Agave, maybe? It’s all about whatever you have on hand and accepting the wild ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Remember it later
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Cheerio Bars
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4.5 cups Cheerios cereal
- 1 cup mini marshmallows use fresh
- 0.5 cup peanut butter smooth or crunchy
- 0.5 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
- Add peanut butter and stir until fully combined and smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and marshmallows until melted.
- Add Cheerios to the mixture and gently fold to coat evenly.
- Press the mixture into a greased 8x8 inch pan and let it cool at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
Featured Comments
“Super easy and family favorite! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
“This creamy recipe was turned out amazing — the sweet treat really stands out. Thanks!”
“This sweet treat recipe was absolutely loved — the crowd-pleaser really stands out. Thanks!”
“Impressed! Clear steps and so flavorful results. Perfect for busy nights.”
“This crowd-pleaser recipe was so flavorful — the rich really stands out. Thanks!”
“Impressed! Clear steps and will make again results. Perfect for busy nights.”
