Cooking with Ease: Chalkboards, Cheerios & Chocolate Drizzles

Rockwall, TX (August 13, 2025) – Back-to-school season has always felt like a fresh start. The smell of new pencils, the crispness of early mornings, and the buzz of seeing old friends again. It’s a time filled with excitement, nerves, and the promise of new routines. For me, it also marked the unofficial beginning of fall, with cooler weather creeping in and Friday night football games on the horizon. Those first weeks back were always a mix of energy and exhaustion, and nothing grounded me more than the familiar comfort of an after-school snack waiting at home.

These no-bake cereal bars are exactly the kind of thing I would’ve loved coming home to. They’re made with Cookies & Crème and Cinnamon Cheerios Protein for a hearty crunch, melted white chocolate chips to hold everything together, and a just-right drizzle of milk chocolate chips over the top. I had some extra trail mix on hand, something I always keep around, and it turned out to be the perfect finishing touch. The raisins bring a little natural sweetness, the nuts add crunch, and the pops of candy make each bite feel like a treat. It’s a snack that feels both nostalgic and new, easy to make and even easier to love.

I always looked forward to that after-school moment. Kicking off my shoes, chatting about my day, and grabbing something from the kitchen that felt made just for me. Now, I get to create those moments for others. These bars are a fun, low-fuss way to add a little extra joy to the everyday. Something sweet and crunchy that says, “Welcome home.”

Back-to-School Cereal Trail Mix Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Cookies & Crème Cheerios Protein
• 2 cups Cinnamon Cheerios Protein
• 1 cup White Chocolate Chips
• 1/4 cup Milk Chocolate Chips
• 1/2 cup trail mix (your favorite combo of raisins, nuts, and candy pieces)

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cereal. Mix well.
2. In a small bowl, melt White Chocolate Chips for 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
3. Pour the melted white creme evenly over the cereal mixture, stir to coat, and press it into a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
4. Melt Milk Chocolate Chips and transfer to a plastic bag; snip the tip and drizzle over the top.
5. While the chocolate drizzle is still warm, sprinkle your trail mix evenly across the top so it sticks. Let the chocolate harden, then cut into bars or break into pieces and serve.

Tips & Tricks: I always add the crumbs to a little baggie for quick snacking or to add as a topping to ice cream, yogurt or anything else!

Melissa Tate is a home cook and writer with a passion for hospitality, food gifts, and fine, locally-produced fare. Along with writing, cooking, and creating care packages, she helps her husband run their working horse and cattle ranch, Tate Farms here in Rockwall County. She is currently writing her first cookbook with a New York based literary agent. You can find more of her work at melissatatetx.com and on Instagram and Facebook at @MelissaTateTx

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