If you’ve got loads of leftover cereal that you want to use up before Pesach, this is a great quick and easy recipe. In my house, sugary cereals are reserved as a Shabbos treat. During the week, we have moderately sweet ones like honey nut cheerios, rice krispies and raisin bran. On occasion, when my kids don’t want to eat their breakfast, I’ll mix one tablespoon of fruity pebbles into a bowl of rice krispies and they’ll eat the whole thing :)
Now since the sugary cereals are reserved for Shabbos, it’s no wonder that those make up most of my leftovers. In this recipe, I used super golden crisp, fruity pebbles, cocoa pebbles, honey nut cheerios and some healthy raisin bran (leave it to me to deguiltify the sweetest of treats…this time however, I will do no such thing…these are legitimately loaded with sugar, no qualms about it!).
Normally you would not find me hyping my kids up on this “junk” (yes, it is pure junk), but you know what? if there is any time of year to make these, it’s now. They are the perfect bartering tool for your kids at a time when you could really use their help. It goes something like this: “If you help clean this refrigerator, I’ll give you a piece”….”If you go play nicely with your sister and stop fighting, you can have a one of these”….”If you go eat your sandwich on the step outside and promise not to bring any crumbs back inside the house, you get these for dessert”…you get the drift!
So, if you are looking for a bargaining chip, or you just want to get rid of your leftover cereal, go ahead and whip up a pan of these gooey treats!
Leftover Cereal Bar Treats
4 tbsp butter or margarine (I use smartbeat light)
1 container marshmallow fluff
8-10 cups assorted cereal
How to:
In a large pot that can accomodate your cereal, melt butter. Add fluff, mixing over low heat until smooth and melted. Add cereal and mix well until all cereal is incorporated. Pour mixture into a 9×13 pan and using the back of a spoon, evenly press into the pan. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Cut into squares or shapes (using a cookie cutter). Alternatively, you may spoon the mixture into a cupcake pan for individual servings.
If you like your cereal treats less gooey, feel free to add more cereal until you have reached your desired consistency.
Other ways to use up leftover cereal:
Create bars using dark/white chocolate and/or peanut butter
Add to trail mix with dried fruit, m&ms and nuts
For unsweetened cereal like cornflakes/shredded wheat, crush and use on fried chicken or fish
Sprinkle on yogurt or ice cream
Add to homemade cookies or granola bars
What a brilliant idea for using up chometz! And I’m with you on the cereal tricks. A few grains of the sugary stuff help the boring weekday breakfast go down!