Cheerios® Caramel Crisp Bars

Cheerios® Caramel Crisp Bars
A Cheerios® Challenge recipe! Surprise! Cereal, chocolate and caramel mixed up in a bar makes a super tasty low-fat day starter. From eatbetteramerica.
Prep Time:20 min
Start to Finish:50 min
makes:36 bars
Bars
6 cups Cheerios® cereal
1 bag (14 oz) caramels
3 tablespoons water
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup miniature semisweet candy-coated chocolate candies for baking
Chocolate Glaze
1/4 cup semisweet or milk chocolate chips
2 teaspoons shortening
1. Butter bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2. In medium microwavable bowl, microwave caramels and water uncovered on High 2 1/2 to 4 minutes, stirring after each minute, until smooth. Pour over cereal; gently stir until well coated. Add marshmallows; gently stir. Press evenly in pan, using buttered back of spoon.
3. In small microwavable bowl, microwave glaze ingredients uncovered on Medium (50%) about 1 minute or until mixture can be stirred smooth; drizzle over bars.
4. Sprinkle bars with candies. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until bars are firm and glaze is set.

For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store loosely covered.
Stove-Top Directions: Butter bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside. In 1-quart heavy saucepan, heat caramels and water over low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth. Pour over cereal; gently stir until well coated. Add marshmallows; gently stir. Press evenly in pan, using buttered back of spoon.

In 1-quart saucepan, heat glaze ingredients over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth; drizzle over bars. Sprinkle bars with candies. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until bars are firm and glaze is set. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store loosely covered.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No change.
Nutritional Information
1 Bar: Calories 90 (Calories from Fat 20); Total Fat 2g (Saturated Fat 1/2g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 50mg; Total Carbohydrate 17g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 8g); Protein 1g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 0%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 4%; Iron 4% Exchanges: 1/2 Starch; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 1 *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.