Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare  an 8 x 8 x 8-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan melt butter and chocolate over low heat.

Remove from heat, let cool. Then stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla into the melted chocolate mixture.

Using a wooden spoon beat lightly until just combined.

Stir in the dry ingredients, flour and salt, into the wet ingredients.

Spread the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Bake the brownies for 28-30 minutes cool on a wire rack. DO NOT OVER BAKE the brownies. When you check for doneness you want there to be a few crumbs on the skewer.

Let the brownies cool for 15-20 minutes, then using the baked brownie mixture make 10 large pine cone shapes or 15 small cones. Start by rolling the brownie batter into a ball and then shape into a cone.

Take the cereal pieces and insert them in the brownie cones starting at the top and going in a circle to create the outside of a pinecone. When finished leave plain or dust with powdered sugar for a frosted look.