Chocolate Chex Cookie Bites [+ Big G Blogger Experience]

In only 5 ingredients you can enjoy the great taste of cereal and get your cookie fix with these chocolate Chex cookie bites.

Chocolate Chex Cookie Bites are for those moments when you can’t decide whether or not you want a bowl of cereal or a chocolate chip cookie. Paired with a glass of milk and you essentially have a bowl of cereal in cookie form. Their bite-sized shape makes portion control pretty easy— just don’t let your kids know where you store the extras, because I guarantee they’ll be gone in a day.

Not that I’m speaking from experience here… for the recipe, scroll down to the bottom of this post. FAST! If you’d like to read on about my inspiration for this recipe [my trip to General Mills HQ], keep reading from this point!

Recipe Inspiration for Chocolate Chex Cookie Bites

Earlier this month I attended a Big G blogger experience in Minneapolis, MN, at the General Mills headquarters. “Big G” refers to the General Mills cereals including Cheerios, Chex, Kix, Wheaties, and more. When the invite for the blogger experience was extended, making the trip was a no-brainer for me. I’m pretty sure Joey would have happily tagged along if I let him.
We are a BIG cereal eating family— from snacks to breakfast, to snacks again, we have more than one Big G cereal in our house. But, like all foods, there are some better-for-you cereals that I’d recommend choosing over others. Having said that, I was thrilled to learn more about my toddler’s favorite food: cereal.

Big G Blogger Experience

From cereal processing and food labeling to food photography and cooking in the Betty Crocker kitchens, my 1.5 day experience at General Mills was nothing short of AWESOME! And so informative… here are some new-to-me facts about Big G cereals:

• General Mills has a commitment to those who eat their cereals— which is about 90% of households in the U.S.
• What’s so stellar about their cereals? They’ve increased the whole grain, fiber, and vitamin [specifically calcium and vitamin D] content of their cereals while reducing sugar and sodium
• Big G research and development teams partner with nutritionists, working to reduce sugar without affecting the great taste of their cereals
• The upside to eating cereal? Children who eat cereal are more likely to get the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D they need everyday [from milk and the fortification of the cereal]
• From Oats to O’s-a really cool, informative video about how one of the most popular Big G cereals, Cheerios, is made
• General Mills has a whole INSTITUTE dedicated improving not only the healthfulness of their products but improving the health and well-being of consumers … the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition

Photo Recap of the Big G Blogger Experience

Not pictured: a crazy, deliciously fun dinner at Travail restaurant in Minneapolis. Just click the link. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

I was joined by an all-star group of other health-minded bloggers, including:

Lindsay from www.theleangreenbean.com

Jess from www.keepingitrealfood.com

Ann & Lesley from www.mymenupal.com

Abigail from www.thesoulofhealth.com

Danielle from www.foodconfidence.com

Brittany from www.eatingbirdfood.com

Lisa from www.snackgirl.com

Not only was it a pleasure getting to know these ladies, but they also enhanced my learning considerably by asking the tough questions. Remember: I am a cereal eater and honestly didn’t think twice about choosing or recommending cereals like Cheerios or Chex. But their questions about sugar and nutrient fortification had me do some deep thinking about my stance on cereal.

Did my view change? No. I feel confident in the strides General Mills is taking to reduce sugar and “processed” ingredients in their cereals. But I needed the gut-check and appreciate the science behind the product and message. So thank you to the Big G and Bell Institute of Nutrition and Health teams.

Not only for providing me with an inside look at your day-to-day but for reassuring my family and me that you have our best interest in mind when you make that itty, bitty Cheerio.

Joey says, “Stop typing MOM… it’s Chocolate Chex Cookie Bites time!”

Note: All expenses, food, and accommodations for my trip to General Mills were paid for. I was not compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own— and seconded by my cereal-loving toddler!