Cheerios plus plenty of apples and spice make sweet bars: perfect for fall or any time of year. They're Apple Cinnamon Cheerios Cereal Bars!
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This recipe first came to be when I was testing out a box of seasonal Pumpkin Spice flavored Cheerios. I couldn't help but try them... some years I get pulled in by the pumpkin spice craze.
The PS craze is really just a symbol of that relief we feel come fall - after a summer spent roasting in the sun and gadding about in next to nothing. It's a relief to cozy up in soft leggings and chunky sweaters, close up swimming pools, buy a potted mum.
The bad news is that the pumpkin spice version of Cheerios was just okay, a bit artificial tasting.
The good news is that these Cheerios and Apple Bars taste delicious with regular ol' Cheerios, and they're a great treat to make when you want a little taste of fall.
Why you'll love this recipe
It's a great way to enjoy freshly-picked apples if you happen to be in the middle of apple season. And if not, that's okay because apples at any time of the year are delicious in these bars.
Cheerios create a flavorful, crunchy base that holds a thick layer of sweet, spiced apples. The bars are a perfect treat perfect for after dinner or mid-afternoon with a cup of coffee or tea!
🔪 How to make this recipe
Step 1: Cook the apples
Peel and slice the apples into chunks. Simmer the apples with cider, brown sugar, and spices in a pan on the stove. Cook the apples into a thick sauce.
Step 2: Make the cereal mixture
Combine the Cheerios with the other dry ingredients and melted butter. Press most of this mixture into a prepared pan, and bake it until browned.
Step 3: Layer in the apple
Spread the cooked apple mixture over the browned Cheerios layer in the pan.Spread the remaining Cheerios-butter mixture over the top. Bake again until the top is lightly browned. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool.
Step 4: Slice and serve
Once cool, slice it up into 9 pieces. Enjoy!
Notes:
- You can spice up plain Cheerios in this recipe with a little pumpkin spice - the real stuff that you can pick up in the store. It brings a little extra fall flavor to enjoy! See the recipe below for this option.
- Try other flavors of Cheerios in these bars if you'd like: perhaps their seasonal Pumpkin Spice variety, if you want to give them a try. Apple-Cinnamon, Maple, or Frosted Cheerios are also good contenders for these bars.
The recipe for these delightful, appley bars is below. And a few more recipes that you should also give a glance!
💬 Click the stars to rate this recipe, and leave a comment for me below!
📖 Recipe
Apple Cinnamon Cheerios Cereal Bars
Ingredients
- 6 or 7 medium apples (McIntosh are my favorite)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup Boiled Cider (or apple cider)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 cups Cheerios cereal, divided (Use original, or try a flavor like Pumpkin Spice, Apple-Cinnamon, Maple, or Frosted)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, unbleached
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter, unsalted - melted
Instructions
Cook the apples:
- Peel and core the apples, then cut them into chunks.
- In a large saucepan, combine the chopped apples with ½ cup of the brown sugar, boiled cider (or water,) nutmeg, ground cloves and cinnamon. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 13 minutes: the apples will be soft and the mixture should also be thickened. Remove the pan from heat.
Prepare the cereal mixture:
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 8-inch x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and spray the paper with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl combine 2½ cups of the Cheerios, the flour, the remaining ½ cup of brown sugar, the baking soda and salt. Add in the melted butter and mix until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Set aside ½ cup of the mixture.
- Press the remaining 2 cups of this mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 23 minutes until the crust has browned. Remove the pan from the oven.
- Spread the apple mixture over the top of the crust, to within a ½-inch of the edges.
- Sprinkle the remaining Cheerios-butter mixture over the apple layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of dry Cheerios over the apple layer as well.
- Return the pan to oven and bake for an additional 30-40 minutes, until it is lightly browned. Remove from oven and place pan on a cooling rack.
- Once cooled lift it by the paper out of the pan. Use a sharp knife to cut into 9 bars.
OPTION: Add pumpkin spice
- You can add pumpkin spice flavor to these bars by stirring the spices into the plain Cheerios mixture: while combining Cheerios with flour and brown sugar, add in ¾ teaspoon of pumpkin spice blend. You can find this in the spice aisle at the store.
Notes
- You can add pumpkin spice flavor to these bars by stirring the spices into the plain Cheerios mixture: while combining Cheerios with flour and brown sugar, add in ¾ teaspoon of pumpkin spice blend. You can find this in the spice aisle at the store.
- Use original Cheerios, or try a flavor like Pumpkin Spice, Apple-Cinnamon, Maple, or Frosted
Nutrition
Originally published in October 2016.
Ben Grounds
Great article
Tracy | Baking Mischief
These look amazing. I have total heart eyes on my face right now over that thick apple layer. Wish I had a box of cheerios in my cupboard so I could make a batch of these right this second!!
Heidi
These look good, Nancy! I'll have to try them!