Caffeinated coffee-flavored cereal

A ready-to-eat cereal product comprising:

• a plurality of ready-to-eat rice cereal flakes formed of a rice dough composition comprising coffee powder;
• a slurry coating disposed about the cereal flakes that forms about 35 to 60% by weight of the ready-to-eat cereal product prior to drying, the slurry coating comprising great than 40% and up to 60% by weight of a coffee extract;
• about 250 mg to 400 mg caffeine per 100 g serving of the ready-to-eat cereal, and wherein from about 21 to 24% by weight of the caffeine is contained in the cereal flakes;
• and
• wherein the ready-to-eat cereal product has an overall sugar content of from 15% to 40% by weight.

A ready-to-eat cereal comprising:

• a cereal base formed of a composition comprising a coffee powder, and a grain selected from the group of wheat, rice, corn, oats, barley, rye, triticale, and combinations thereof;
• a coating disposed about the cereal base and comprising a slurry of at least water, greater than 40% and up to 60% by weight of a coffee extract, and a sweetener, the coating being produced by applying the slurry to the cereal base to produce a wet cereal wherein the slurry coating forms 35 to 60% by weight of the wet cereal;
• and drying the wet cereal to produce a ready-to-eat cereal having a moisture content of about 1 to 5%;
• about 250 mg to about 400 mg caffeine per 100 g of the ready-to-eat cereal, and wherein from about 21 to 24% by weight of the caffeine is contained in the cereal base;
• and
• the ready-to-eat cereal being substantially free of milk or milk solids.