Chocolate

Cheerios and Chocolate Halloween Treats

Halloween pumpkin sharped treats and dessert

I do not usually post two days in a row, but in this case it is worth working double time, triple time, over time to bring you treats. Halloween is sneaking up very quickly & even though the temperatures are soaring over here we are celebrating Fall in a big way.

The folks over at General Mills & Betty Crocker are hosting the Big G Halloween recipe party. The recipe needs to include a Big G cereal. Since I don’t do the sugary stuff the choice was obvious –  Cheerios would be my super star ingredient. I am a former graduate of the Cheerios University. What kid in the 70’s & 80’s didn’t live on Cheerios?

Halloween pumpkin sharped treats and dessert

I combined  these salty, savory little O’s with chocolate, dates & almond butter and put the mixture in silicone pumpkin molds. They are  tartelettes meet cookie kind of treats. They have a nice crumb and are topped with a creamy ganache. Eat with a fork or hold in your hand. Hello yum & hello fun!

Halloween pumpkin sharped treats and dessert

As you guys know I am a big fan of Scharffen Berger chocolate so I melted up a bunch of that to give these treats a elegant twist. I like to use darker chocolate of at least 62% Cacao Semi-sweet or 70% Cacao Bittersweet. You could use milk chocolate or even white if you prefer. As long as it’s melted and you can put in in your cute molds then use what you like. It’s Halloween, just have fun!

Pre School boy wearing Cheerios Tee shirt

While perusing around Micheals the other day I stumbled upon very cute Silicone Pumpkin Molds from Wilton and had to grab one. You will be seeing me use these a lot on the next month for baked and no-bake goodies.

Halloween pumpkin sharped treats and dessert

What I love about this dessert idea is that there is minimal mess, hardly and preparation and it is no bake. Quick & easy. Other than melting some chocolate and taking out the food processor this is a no brainer.

It is also not the most guilt ridden treat out there. I tried to stick with my somewhat healthy ingredient list. The crust/dough is made from pulverized dates, almond butter and Cheerios. I have done a similar crust like this before, you might remember my No Bake Chocolate Pecan Tarts.

Halloween pumpkin sharped treats and dessert

Have you ever used Cheerios in a recipe?

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Variations

  • Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice or chai spice to your chocolate or dough mix.
  • If you don’t have Cheerios you can try grinding another unsweetened cereal in your food processor.
  • Instead of dark chocolate, use milk or white chocolate.
  • Instead of almond butter you can try peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, pecan butter, etc.
  • Add some extract to your chocolate for added flavor: peppermint, orange, coconut, etc.

Big G Halloween Recipe Links

*MarlaMeridith.com Full Disclosure: I am submitting this recipe to General Mills/Betty Crocker as content for the homepage of BettyCrocker.com for Halloween. Betty Crocker in partnership with Big G, are looking for fun, creative Halloween treats using their popular Big G cereal brands. As a participant, they are sending me a $50 gift card. The thoughts, recipe and photos are property of MarlaMeridith.com and are original content of Marla Meridith.

~ Marla Meridith

Join the Conversation

69 thoughts on “Cheerios and Chocolate Halloween Treats

  1. Marla, I’m amazed. My middle son, who is an adult FireFighter, still eats at least 2 bowls of Cheerios a day – it’s a family inside laugh with us how much cereal he eats. I’m SO going to make these and surprise him. Thanks for the post.

  2. Such a wonderful way to enjoy a healthy treat. I was definitely a Cherrios kid in fact, I seem to remember having a Cheerios tee also. I’d love to make these with my kiddos. Thanks for the fun Halloween treat idea!

  3. These are so cute, Marla! And yes, even though I was more a kid of the 90’s, I did – and still do – have one bowl of Cheerios every day. It was a habit my mom grew up with and passed on down. She even kept them in a little baggy in her purse if I was feeling “peckish”, and I have no doubt I’ll do the same for my future kids!

  4. That is such a cool idea. My kids live off Cheerios too, or whatever looks like them and is even healthier.
    Me, being a German, hardly knows about Halloween. But my son has been thinking about his dress-ups for the past few weeks. Therefore, no way for me to avoid it. Will try and make these for Halloween!!!

    1. Anna: You are so right, these treats are perfect for big kids too. My hubs can’t get enough of these tarts. When you use a really good chocolate it ups the gourmet factor. You would never know those are Cheerios in there. They blend so well with the Almond Butter and sweet dates.

      Anja: Love that your son is getting all ready for Halloween and you guys don’t even celebrate it in Germany. So cute! He still deserves his treats, right??!!

  5. Good job making a fairly healthy nutritious and boo-tiful treat, Marla! I love cheerios in homemade nuts and bolts. Not at all healthy with all of the butter poured over the mix, but soooooo yummy.
    🙂
    valerie

  6. A lot of us American “kids” who grew up in the 50s also got seriously stuck on Cheerios. I still love the darned things, straight out of the box. And I’d love these treats of yours any old time of year. Easy, quick, fun, and boo-licious!

  7. Oh wow, this is too fabulous. I love the flavours and actually even though its child friendly, its kind of an awesome grown up treat too. I am bookmarking this one!
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    *kisses* HH

  8. You are so creative with your Cheerios!

    I actually swung by Michael’s at The District the other day and picked up some of the “autumn molds.” Now you’re inspiring me to do more with them than collect dust.

    [K]

  9. I have so many memories of throwing cheerios all over the kitchen floor when I was little. Good stuff. These look like fantastic treats for halloween!

  10. I’m not much of a baker myself, I am one to always change a recipe, but that doesn’t always work with baking. These look delicious and healthy at the same time. And your trip to Betty Crocker looked like a blast!

    1. Nigella: You are right, these treats could not be simpler to prepare and they do taste like so much “more” effort has been put into them. Simple & quick when we don’t have the time or desire to measure flour, sugar, baking powders etc.

  11. I hate cheerios. Never got why ppl like that. But THIS?! Holy crap. Marla, you would make puke look delicious. You truly have a gift with food 3x.

  12. I just watched somebody make treats similar to this last night. Unfortunately the ingredients for the bottom were oats, corn syrup and crisco. Now you created a healthy, yummy, and innovative alternative that won’t pollute everybody. Love it! The pumpkin shapes are adorable! xox, andrea

  13. Your son is so handsome and getting so big… I can’t believe it! I want to hug him and I want his t-shirt too.

    1. Andrea: I am sure my little guy would be willing to share his tee shirt but not his Cheerios Tarts. Miss you girl! You gotta move back to the OC so you can help me test our new recipes.

  14. These are so cute, Marla! I would love to make them with my niece…she would have so much fun with them! That outfit our son is wearing is adorable!

  15. O! O! O! for these incredible looking Cherrios tarts. Fantastic idea. Seeing as it contains cereal I’m betting they are a good breakfast item too!

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