I so loved walking in the door from school, tossing my backpack aside, and raiding the kitchen for snacks – soon to be followed by a long session on the neighbor’s trampoline, a rambunctious bike ride with friends, or tennis in the street.

Among my favorite snacks were graham crackers slathered with canned frosting (vanilla or chocolate does the trick), peanut butter smothered and melted inside tortillas, or BETTER YET, cheese and salsa melted inside a wrapped flour tortilla – and then, when time and appetite allowed: homemade rice crispy treats. The problem with this “treat,” though, was the waiting game for the hot sticky goo to cool before noshing. Some days I could wait, other days I could not.

Today I decided I could wait. And, I also decided to mix things up and utilize the cheery Cheerios cereal, some strawberry vanilla marshmallows, and some dehydrated strawberries for an even happier little snakola.

Chewy Cheerio Strawberry Marshmallow Treats

Chewy Cheerio Strawberry Marshmallow Treats

6 Tbs. butter
6 oz. strawberry and vanilla marshmallows
6 oz. Cheerios
2 oz. dehydrated strawberries

In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the marshmallows and melt until just beginning to smooth, stirring constantly.

Add the cereal and strawberries. 

Remove from heat and stir well to coat the mix-ins entirely with the buttery-marshmallowy melt.

Transfer to a parchment-lined square baking dish.

Press down firmly.

Cool for several hours.

Slice and serve.