How About Chocolate Cheerios, Some Recipes, and a SPEED Contest? :)

Mmmmm....  Did you Know that Cheerios now come in CHOCOLATE ???  Well, I didn't until I was sent some from General Mills through MyBlogSpark!  Now, I admit, I'm not the cereal eater in my house.  My kids are.  They love chocolate flavored cereal, so they were really excited to try it.  It got thumbs up all around!!!

Here's some info I got about the Chocolate Cheerios from MyBlogSpark:

Chocolate Cheerios is low in fat, heart healthy, has 100 calories per serving, contains at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving (at least 48 grams recommended daily), and is a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Made with real cocoa, Chocolate Cheerios can help your family start the day off right with a delicious and nutritious breakfast that is sure to make you smile!

In addition, check out these great recipes using Chocolate Cheerios!

Chocolate Cheerios® Marshmallow Hearts

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Start to Finish: 1 Hour 45 Minutes

Crust
1 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 cup Chocolate Cheerios® cereal, crushed
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups miniature marshmallows
Topping
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 bag (11.5 ounces) milk chocolate chips
4 cups Chocolate Cheerios® cereal
Candy sprinkles, if desired

Heat oven to 350°F. Line bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with foil. In large bowl, mix all crust ingredients except marshmallows with electric mixer on low speed until crumbly. Press firmly into bottom of pan.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle with marshmallows. Return to oven; bake an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until marshmallows just begin to puff. Cool while preparing topping.

In large saucepan, place all topping ingredients except cereal and sprinkles. Heat over medium-low heat just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 4 cups cereal. Immediately spoon warm topping over marshmallows; spread to cover. Sprinkle with candy sprinkles. Cool completely, at least 1 hour.

Using foil to lift, remove mixture from pan; remove foil. With deep 2 1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 18 hearts. Store loosely covered.


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Chocolate Hazelnut Marshmallow Balls

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Start to Finish: 15 Minutes
1/2 cup hazelnut spread with cocoa
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
14 large marshmallows
Toothpicks
3 cups Chocolate Cheerios® cereal
Round wooden sticks with one pointed end or craft sticks
(flat wooden sticks with round ends)

In medium microwavable bowl, microwave hazelnut spread and chocolate chips on high 30 seconds; stir until smooth. Place cereal in shallow dish.
Insert toothpick into marshmallow; dip in chocolate mixture. Roll in cereal to coat completely. Place on large plate; remove toothpick. Repeat with remaining marshmallows. If desired, insert round wooden sticks into each for pops.

Refrigerate 30 minutes or until chocolate is set.
14 servings

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Strawberry-Chocolate Cheerios® Parfaits

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Start to Finish: 15 Minutes
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
4 containers (6 oz each) Yoplait® Light Fat Free strawberry yogurt
2 cups Chocolate Cheerios® cereal
In 4 parfait glasses or clear drinking glasses, layer half of the strawberries, half of the yogurt and half of the cereal. Repeat layers.

Serve immediately

Now for the contest!!!  If you win this contest, you will receive a gift pack that includes a box of Chocolate Cheerios for you to try as well as a chocolate scented spa kit, and a ceramic cereal bowl.  It's easy to enter.  Just leave a comment telling me your favorite cereal.  Also, I'll give you extra entries for:

~Suscribling to Feedburner (THIS IS A DOUBLE BONUS ENTRY, LEAVE TWO COMMENTS!)
~Following me publically
~Becoming a Facebook Fan
~Following me on Twitter
~Taking my poll
~Following me in any other way (other than stalking, of course!)

If you have already done the above, don't fret, just let me know in the comments.  PLEASE COMMENT ONCE FOR EACH THING YOU'VE DONE.  FOR EXAMPLE,  IF YOU'RE A FACEBOOK FAN AND A TWITTER FAN, LEAVE TWO COMMENTS. 

The reason I am calling this a speed contest is that you only have a few days to enter, so do it quickly!!!  All entries must be received by Monday, March 15, 2010 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.  You must leave your e-mail address or some other way for me to contact you , or your entry or entries will be VOID.  You must be at least 18 years old and unrelated to me to enter!

The information and Chocolate Cheerios gift packs were all provided by Cheerios through MyBlogSpark.