Monster Mashmallow Cereal Treats

A series of puppy-dog eyes from a 5 year old, and claims of a childhood favourite from a 40 year old, made me buy this cereal.  I had never tried it until this year.  Sugarmania cereals were not part of my own childhood, unless I was at my Grandma's or maybe a sleepover at a friend's.  

I was informed that Count Chocula is "thee best", and "we have to get it".  Who am I to argue with a good ol' childhood fave?   

This is pricey stuff, man!  I managed to hunt down both the Count Chocula, and Franken Berry limited edition treats for the best price at Target.  Apparently there is also a "Boo Berry"?  I was unable to locate that one much to their dismay.  Maybe some state-side cereal hunting is in order!  

That's where the Scooby-Doo bone shaped cereal came from, on one of our last excursions to Montana.  United States of America, you have all the bestest cereals!  

Count Chocula is the obvious fave around here, I had just barely 2 cups remaining.   That's where the mash up idea was born!  I figured the bones fit the Halloween cereal theme pretty darn well.  As well, the bones helped to spread out the quantity of the "special" cereal we had left on hand, lest someone complain, that "It's all gone!  I didn't even get one bowl!".  Yeesh. 

Concocted out of the mass cereal mash up came these fun and yummy treats. They are basically like a marshmallow-y Rice Krispie Treat, but more chewy, flavourful, and of course, spookier!

Psst!  Here's my handsome kitchen helper, and biggest critic, hard at work!

Monster Mashmallow Cereal Treats

3 Tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups miniature marshmallows
2 cups Count Chocula cereal
2 cups Franken Berry cereal
2 cups Scooby-doo bones cereal (I was running low on the Count, so I added the Scooby-doo to spread it out - Use 3 cups of each, or 6 cups cereal total)

Prepare a large dish (I used 9 X 13), by lining it with parchment paper and set aside.
In large saucepan melt butter over low - medium heat, add the marshmallows and stir until they are completely melted. Remove the pan from heat, and add vanilla.  Next add all the cereal. Stir until the cereal is evenly coated.
Pour mixture into the prepared dish, use a spatula, wet fingers, or the overhang of the parchment to help press it down.  Allow to Cool, before cutting into squares or shapes.

Happy Halloween!