Chocolate Cheerios Review and Giveaway

Mmmm, Mmmm!  You can imagine the squeals of delight as I let my boys open up this review product from
Cheerios through MyBlogSpark!
I am not ashamed to say that I have used this particular box of cereal as a bribe. It's a win-win situation for everybody. I was reminded of the Bill Cosby video where he talks about giving his kids chocolate cake and they are singing 'Dad is great, he gives us chocolate cake'.  So I sang something similar about myself and the kids got a kick out of that!
The gift pack I received also included a cool chocolate bowl (good candy bowl),  and chocolate bath and body items.
Here are a few recipes you can try out with your family:

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.

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

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

MyBlogSpark has generously offered to giveaway one of these gift packs to one of my readers:
To enter the giveaway do one or all of the following for entries.  Please leave separate comments for each one.
This giveaway will end March 12, 2010 at 11:00 Eastern Time

1. Be a subscriber to Once Upon A Qpon
2. Follow this blog.
3. Blog about this giveaway and leave a link in the comment.
4. Follow me on twitter.
5. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link in the comment.
6. I'm finally on Facebook, so become a fan!
7. Write about this giveaway on facebook and leave a link in your comment.
8. Answer the following question:  What do you do to make your day start off happy?
           Our family if finding that starting our day off with prayer helps a lot!

Have Fun!
April
As a member of MyBlogSpark, I received this product free of charge from Cheerios and any opinions expressed above are mine alone.