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Cereal Bars Recipe

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  • Author: Mary
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This quick and easy Cereal Bars recipe combines crunchy corn pops cereal with a gooey marshmallow and butter mixture to create a classic, chewy treat perfect for snacks or lunchboxes. Ready in just 15 minutes with minimal ingredients, these bars require no baking and deliver a nostalgic, sweet crunch that everyone will love.


Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons (84 g) unsalted butter
  • 10 ounces (284 g) large marshmallows
  • 7 cups (196 g) corn pops cereal


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Pan: Line the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set aside for later.
  2. Melt Butter and Marshmallows: In a large pot over medium-high heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the large marshmallows and stir continuously to ensure they melt evenly and don’t burn, resulting in a smooth, gooey mixture.
  3. Mix in Cereal: Remove the pot from heat once the marshmallows are fully melted. Immediately add the corn pops cereal, stirring thoroughly to coat every piece with the marshmallow mixture. For a firmer texture, add additional cereal in 1/2 cup increments as desired.
  4. Spread and Shape: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Using the back of a silicone spatula, gently press and evenly distribute the mixture throughout the pan without over-compressing to avoid dense bars.
  5. Cool and Cut: Let the cereal mixture cool and set in the pan for about 2 hours. Once firm, lift the block out using the parchment paper and cut into 12 squares for serving.

Notes

  • Use parchment paper to easily lift the bars from the pan.
  • Do not over-stir the marshmallows to prevent burning.
  • Add extra cereal if you prefer less gooey bars.
  • Store cereal bars in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
  • For variation, try adding mix-ins like mini chocolate chips or dried fruit.