Did you have a good long weekend? If you had a long weekend, that is. President’s Day is one of those kinda sorta fake holidays that only some people get off. We were able to get out of town for a little bit, but the beginning of the weekend was spent on house projects. Nick worked on the greenhouse while I started on something new.
Even though I mostly love our house, one thing I really hate about it is that they painted every single wall and every single ceiling the ugliest, drabbest brownish-beige color. Who paints the ceilings beige!? It’s awful. And not only that, but they painted it all in flat paint. So not only is it ugly, drab beige– it’s ugly, drab beige with dirt, scrapes and marks all over it because flat paint was invented by the devil and there is literally no possible way to clean it.
Since I’m working on my computer at home more often these days, I decided I wanted to spruce up our “junk room,” also known as my office/photography room/spare-spare bedroom. I decided that painting it a pretty color would make a huge difference and would really make me want to actually hang out and work in there. I got all motivated, went to Lowes, and decided on a really pretty mint green. Of course, mint green doesn’t go well with ugly beige, so I had to paint the ceiling first.
Well… only one coat of ceiling paint, three separate trips to Lowes, several bruises, and a near-blinding paint-in-the-eye experience, and I am pretty much over painting now. Did I mention I can’t move my arms? I have a whole new respect for professional painters. This ‘ish ain’t fun.
So I think it’s time for a snack break.
Now that Nick’s working longer hours, he’s been requesting I make delicious treats for him to bring into work to share. After a few batches of cookies, I decided to try something different. And maybe slightly healthier? Cereal is kind of good for you, right? Sure! Let’s just go with it. I based these on these bars from The Taylor House, with Honey Nut Cheerios and regular chocolate chips!
- 2 tbsp butter
- 10 oz marshmallows
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- 1½ cups chocolate chips, divided
- 6 cups Honey Nut Cheerios
- Spray a 9x13 inch pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
- In a large pot, over low heat, melt the butter and marshmallows together, stirring frequently. Be sure to melt the marshmallows low and slow to avoid hard bars (I learned that one the hard way-- no pun intended).
- When the marshmallow mix is smooth, stir in peanut butter and 1 cup of the chocolate chips until just melted, then immediately remove from heat.
- Stir in Cheerios. It may take a little muscle, but it will come together if you keep stirring.
- Pour cereal mix into sprayed pan and press down evenly with a spoon.
- Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips over top and press lightly into the bars.
- Cool completely, then cut into squares!
Now that we’ve stuffed our faces, I suppose it’s time to go back to painting. I really don’t want to, but I just keep telling myself it will be worth it in the end!
Isn’t painting so much fun?! Haha, definitely not! But I do like that green color! And these cereal bars look amazing! I love the chocolate and peanut butter combo. Such a great grab ‘n go snack, Jess!
I hate painting! But think of what great arm muscle you’ll get! It’ll be worth it in the end – and chocolate + peanut butter is always a good motivator.
LOL! I hope my arms get toned! 🙂 Looking at the bright side!
Oh goodness this looks good. I bet if I made a batch of these they would be gone in no time.
These look awesome — love how simple they are! And HATE painting. Hate it. I am so with you!
When we bought our first house, almost every single wall was such an ugly pink color! Who does that?! We had to pain every room and it was so much work. We were kinda lazy though and didn’t re-paint the inside of the closets so now we still have pink closets 🙂 Your colors look so pretty! These cereal bars look delicious too! I love gooey chocolaty bars like these!
Ahhhh!! Pink!? Yeah, that’s definitely WAY worse than beige! I’m definitely stopping at one room for now! 😉
Eeks, I’m not a fan of painting either! It’s my least favorite! But it wouldn’t be as bad if I knew I had these bars waiting for me! I just made cereal bars on the weekend as well but not with Honey Nut Cheerios, love that idea! They look incredible, Jess!
Thanks, Kelly! They were super yummy!
Girl, I feel you on ceiling-paint-in-the-eye. I’m surprised I can still see after all the times I’ve done that! I think the trick is to angle the long stick way away from you… but it definitely hurts the arms more. A paint sprayer is in my future after 13! ceilings in the latest project (but at least my arms are getting toned?). Love that mint color though, and wish you were closer so I could get in on all this deliciousness! <3
Uh, yeah… you are TOTALLY crazy! One room is enough for me!
I feel your pain, we’ve repainted every single wall in our house. It’s not fun! These bars look like a great pick me up though. Love that you used Honey Nut Cheerios too, we always have some on hand.
Now this is how we should be using cheerios! These bars sound delicious!
Can you make a bunch for me please? 🙂 Love these. Totally making them for my little one.
Okaaaay, I need like 10 of these bars in my hands RIGHT NOW. Holy yum! These are gorgeous, Jess!
Girl, seriously, I wish I was there to paint with you – I love to paint! And, I’m digging the bright colors you’re using for a pop of color! And these cereal bars? Well, they are a must have, because if we’re painting, we’re going to get hundry! Pinned!
You love to paint? Walls? You’re crazy!! Please come paint my house! I will pay you in cereal bars and homegrown veggies. 😉
I have done a ton of painting throughout the last two homes we lived in, and I agree, it is NOT fun! We decided that, if we have any future painting to do, it’s worth the money to pay someone else to do it. =) Although I *might* be convinced to help paint if I knew these cereal bars were the reward afterward!
These look so good, Jess! I’ve made rice krispie treats out of Cheerios before and liked them much better than krispies — and the chocolate peanut butter thing sounds amazing!
I love cereal bars.. especially when they contain as much deliciousness as these chocolate and peanut butter ones. I am so hungry for one of these now!
What can you use instead of peanut butter ?
Hi Izzy– You should be able to use almond butter, sunflower butter or cashew butter instead!