Adobe Stock / Nathan
Local restaurants dish up nostalgic twists on everything from cheesecakes to macarons themed around the iconic rainbow flakes.
We’re not sure when cereal turned into a culinary trend, but we’re here for it. Whether it’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch sprinkled around cocktail rims or, in the case of this New Paltz eatery, a whole bar dedicated to the stuff, cereal is having a moment in the Hudson Valley.
Yet while classics like Cheerios amd Frosted Flakes make their mark on dishes across the region, nothing sways people’s hearts – and taste buds – quite like Fruity Pebbles. It’s not hard to see why, either. With its rainbow hues and sugar-filled flavor, the cereal is just as much of a decoration as it is an ingredient, providing a pop of color and the perfect level of crunch to whatever it covers.
Throughout the Hudson Valley, Fruity Pebbles spruce up cheesecakes, macarons, and even milkshakes. Try these treats for yourself and be sure to tag us on Instagram @HudsonValleyMag if you do.
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Amanda’s Macaron Shoppe
Poughkeepsie
Order: Fruity Cereal Blondie Macarownie
What’s a macarownie, you ask? It’s what happens when you take one of Amanda’s Macaron Shoppe’s macarons and hide it in the middle of a perfectly chewy brownie or, in this case, blondie. For her fruity cereal edition, Amanda takes her signature fruity cereal macaron and stuffs it inside sweet blondie base, with extra pebbles thrown into the batter for good measure.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBYNzVAApU5/
The Beacon Daily
Beacon
Order: Fruity Pebbles Pie
It’s not always on the menu, but, when it is, The Beacon Daily’s Fruity Pebbles pie is one of those “gotta have it now” sort of treats. Instagram is the best way to find out when it’s on the menu, so keep your eyes posted to your feed. As for the taste, the pie is extra creamy and ultra-luscious in the center, which means it’s the perfect base for all those crackly pebbles on top.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDoe2ISAtQ-/
Caked Up Café
New City
Order: Fruity Pebbles Beignet Cupcake
Just when you thought Caked Up’s over-the-top cupcakes couldn’t get any more, well, over-the-top, the New City sweet shop proves there’s always room for improvement. Case in point: this Fruity Pebbles cupcake. Part cupcake, part beignet, it’s topped with an artful sprinkle of the namesake cereal for a dessert that kids and kids-at-heart adore. P.S. If this cupcake isn’t on the menu, ask about the breakfast cereal donuts, which sometimes pop up during select weekends, too.
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The Dutch Udder Craft Ice Cream
Troy
Order: Fruity Pebbles Ice Cream
Known for its ever-changing menu of flavors, The Dutch Udder is never one to shy away from crazy concoctions and unusual additions. In comparison to scoops like key lime avocado and cranberry sauce sorbet (a Thanksgiving special), the gluten-free Fruity Pebbles ice cream is relatively tame. Order it scooped into a cone or, better yet, in a Fruity Pebbles ice cream sandwich for a show-stopping dessert.
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Heritage Food + Drink
Wappinger Falls
Order: Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake
Cheesecake and fruit go hand in hand, so why not add Fruity Pebbles to the party? At Heritage, a New York-style cheesecake gets an Instagram-approved twist with a little help from triple berry jam and a Fruity Pebbles milk crumble and crust. And did we mention the whole shebang is gluten-free?
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bub1HA8lgJd/
Lola’s Café
New Paltz
Order: Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake Shake
While Lola’s Poughkeepsie is known for its top-notch pie selection, Lola’s New Paltz sticks to milkshakes as its signature sweet. Flavors change all the time, but keep an eye out for the Fruity Pebbles cheesecake shake, which, as the name suggests, stacks a whole piece of Fruity Pebbles cheesecake atop a creamy milkshake with a cereal-covered rim. There’s a Twizzler sipper in there, too, because why not?
Bonus: If you’re extra lucky, you may just be able to order it when the Fruity Pebbles-crusted French toast (yes, really) is on the menu. Will the pairing induce a sugar coma? Most likely. Will it be 100-percent delicious? Guaranteed.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDlyOSUpXRx/
Manory’s Restaurant
Troy
Order: Fruity Pebbles Pancakes
Whether you’re looking for good ol’ fashioned cinnamon rolls or crazy inventive milkshakes, Manory’s in Troy is the place to be. The Fruity Pebbles milkshake is right at home on the sweet sippers menu alongside the Tiger King (with Frosted Flakes) and Cinnamon Toast Crunch shakes. Pair it with an order of Fruity Pebbles pancakes, which swirl a buttermilk batter with rainbow flakes. When topped with butter and a drizzle of warm syrup, they’re just the morning start you wish you could’ve had as a kid.
