8 Across

NYT Mini • October 3, 2025

Honey Nut Cheerios mascot

Answer:

BEE

Hint:

This buzzing insect is known for making a sweet, golden treat and often appears in cartoons wearing stripes.

Explanation:

The clue refers to the cheerful cartoon bee that appears on boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios cereal. This mascot, named "BuzzBee," is a bright yellow bee often shown holding a spoon or flying near the cereal, making "bee" the straightforward answer. The wordplay is simple—it’s a direct reference to the brand’s well-known character, not a trick or pun. If you’ve seen the cereal box, the answer is instantly recognizable.

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General solving tip

If the clue shows an abbreviation (org., dept., inits.), the answer usually does too. Mirror the clue's form with initials or a shortened form.

More tips → General Hints