In 1971, General Mills released two Halloween cereals: Count Chocula and Franken Berry. The former was a chocolate cereal and the later was strawberry flavored. These two cereals are still popular today and have an almost cult following as far as cereals go, largely because you can almost only find them around Halloween (I hear some stores stock them year round) and need to wait around the rest of the year if you’re a fan! As a kid, I would munch on these cereals dry as a snack, enjoying the sweet cereal pieces and marshmallow bits that were mixed in. When I saw a display featuring these cereals, I decided to relive a bit of the past – and get in the Halloween spirit – by picking up a box of Franken Berry.
The cereal is just as I remembered. It is vivid red with bat and ghost marshmallows throughout. It’s sweet, but not over the top, and has a good, if artificial, strawberry flavor. I almost poured a bowl for breakfast, but decided that a brightly colored cereal bar would be a more fun use for it.
These are basically Rice Krispy Treats made with Franken Berries. They’re strawberry flavored and have a great red color to them. And while I can’t say that I’d eat them every day, they’re fun to make, tasty and are a big hit with kids (especially the ones around here!).
 Frankenberry Cereal Bars
3 tbsp butter, melted
1 10-oz package marshmallows
1 box (7 cups) Franken Berry Cereal
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Toss marshmallows with melted butter in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds, until marshmallows have melted. Stir the marshmallow mixture, then add in the cereal. Stir with a large spatula until everything is evenly combined.
Pour into prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Allow bars to cool to room temperature before slicing.
Makes about 16 cereal bars.
Katrina
October 18, 2009It seems like I see them around here year round. I’d have to go for the Count Chocula ones, but fun idea and wow, those ARE red!
Max
October 18, 2009You forgot about Boo Berry. 🙂
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Boo-marvel.jpg
sevenmarie
October 18, 2009yeah, i am TOTALLY MAKING THOSE! awesome!
heather
October 18, 2009Don’t forget Boo-Berry…the blueberry version…YUM!
Teri
October 18, 2009Yea Heather – I was just about to post the same comment! 🙂
MollyCookie
October 18, 2009I’m not sure I knew they still made Frankenberry cereal. That’s pretty cool! Those look so fun.
Anne-Marie
October 18, 2009Oh my goodness, this is such a fun idea! I love how you’ve taken a rice krispie treat and updated it for the really-fake-artificial-loving kid in us all. I wonder how it would taste with the chocolate cereals? What is that called, ‘Count Chocula’ or something?
Checko
October 19, 2009Wow this is so cool..best for the party..thank you for post..
Kim
October 19, 2009I normally HATE kids cereals, but those look so fun that I might just have to see if they have a box at the grocery next payday!
Erin
October 21, 2009Absolutely adorable! I loved this stuff when I was a kid. I liked to alternate it with Boo-Berry 😉
Kathryn
October 24, 2009I made these and they are delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us.
BethieofVA
October 24, 2009They are so pretty. I loved Count Chocula myself. I might have to give this a try. Happy Halloween!
Gavin
October 25, 2009I never had this as a kid. I just finished making these bars though, they look delicious! We are going to cut them up right after lunch. Thank you for the fun idea.
BethieofVA
October 27, 2009Just made these with BooBerry, don’t think they are going to be as pretty as yours. They sure are white from all the marshmallows.
cooking games
April 30, 2010I am very like sweets of fond. it should only use real strawberries.