This $1.25 Dollar Tree Find Is Too Cheap To Pass On

As a mom, I've long had a complicated relationship with sugary cereals. They're one of my all-time favorite nostalgic foods, and even though I grew up eating them, I have different ideas of how I want my kids to start the day. We don't even typically eat cereal for breakfast, unless it's jazzed up with things like berries, hemp seeds, and nuts.

However, on a recent trip to Dollar Tree, I noticed family-sized boxes of Lucky Charms and Reese's Puffs for only $1.25, and I immediately felt like a kid again. A quick search revealed that the same-sized boxes sell at Target for $5.29, indicating a significant discount. I tossed a couple of boxes into my cart. Before you question my decision, let me just tell you that these weren't for breakfast. I would find fun ways to serve them for dessert. So far, I have no regrets.

Why I'm Not Passing up This Deal

The math alone was enough to make me a convert. Beyond the savings, there's something liberating about buying cereal with no intention of serving it for breakfast. It forces me to appreciate it for what it is: crunchy, sweet little nuggets of fun and nostalgia.

For example, a handful mixed into Greek yogurt transforms it from a healthy snack I "should" eat into a dessert I want to eat. Think of it like sprinkles, but with more personality. And because I'm using them as a mix-in, a single box lasts a lot longer, making that $1.25 stretch even further.

How I’m Using These Family-Sized Cereals

Sugary cereals were more versatile once I started thinking of them as an ingredient rather than a breakfast item. We've found a few go-to ways to enjoy them that feel both indulgent and easy. They're fantastic as mix-ins to our homemade Ninja Creami treats. I'll sprinkle Reese's Puffs on top of our chocolate PB-inspired ice cream for extra crunch. They're also perfect for pulling a Christina Tosi and making cereal milk. I soak the cereal in milk, strain it, and use the milk to flavor the ice cream.

They're also a fun way to add color and texture to yogurt bark. We mix plain Greek yogurt with a bit of honey, spread it out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, sprinkle on fun toppings like nuts, freeze-dried fruit, and cereal, then pop it into the freezer to set.

Lucky Charms would pair well with freeze-dried strawberries, and Reese's Puffs would be great with swirls of peanut butter and shaved chocolate.

I also plan to transform them into a more exciting bake sale-worthy Krispy Treat for school. My sister used to make what she called "adult Krispies treats" with a more wholesome cereal and chocolate chips. I always eat more than my fair share, then take extras home, so I know they'll be a hit at the kids' school.

At $1.25 a box, I can feel free to experiment. And if we don't love the results, I'm only out of pocket change. It's one of the easiest ways I've found to say yes to something fun.

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