Chewy Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cereal Bars
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
2 mins
-
Additional Time
1 hr 43 mins
-
Total Time
2 hrs
-
Servings
12 squares
-
Calories
401 kcal
-
Course
Baked Goods
Chewy Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cereal Bars
Description
The bars are made by heating creamy peanut butter with light corn syrup and both granulated and brown sugars until melted and slightly combined. Vanilla extract and crispy rice cereal are then stirred in to form the chewy bar base, which is pressed firmly into a foil-lined pan to set. This base achieves a balance of chewiness and crunch from the cereal.
A chocolate topping is prepared by melting semi-sweet chocolate chips with vegetable shortening, which helps maintain a smooth, flexible texture and prevents cracking when slicing. Melted peanut butter is folded in to add creaminess and deepen the flavor. The topping is spread over the cooled bars, setting into a fudgy finish that complements the base.
The result is a handheld bar with layered peanut butter and chocolate flavors and contrasting chewy with smooth textures, ideal for sweet snacks or lunchbox treats.
Ingredients
Bars
- 1 peanut butter use Jif, Skippy, or similar; do not use natural or homemade peanut butter, creamy, heaping cup
- ½ cup light corn syrup light colored, not lite
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal or similar crispy rice cereal that’s vegan/GF
Chocolate Topping
- 1 ½ semi-sweet chocolate chips melted, heaping cups
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening optional but highly recommended to keep chocolate smooth; see below
- ¼ cup peanut butter melted, creamy
Instructions
- For the Bars – Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil leaving overhang, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 heaping cup peanut butter, corn syrup, sugars, and heat on high power for 1 minute to melt.
- Stop to stir. Mixture will be on the granular side, this is okay.
- Return bowl to microwave and heat for 1 more minute on high power.
- Stir in the vanilla.
- Stir in the cereal.
- Turn mixture out into prepared pan, packing it down somewhat firmly with a spatula and smoothing the top; set pan aside.
- For the Chocolate Topping – In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, shortening, and heat on high power for 1 minute to melt. I highly recommend using shortening for many reasons. It helps the chocolate melt smoother and easier. It prevents the chocolate from setting up too quickly. It keeps the chocolate from cracking when you slice into the finished bars because the chocolate is fudgier and more forgiving than typical hardened chocolate.
- Stop to stir. Chips may not be completely melted. Return bowl to microwave and heat in 10 to 15-second bursts until chocolate can be stirred smooth.
- Pour chocolate over bars, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula or knife; set pan aside.
- Add 1/4 cup peanut butter to a small microwave-safe bowl and heat to melt, about 30 seconds. Stir peanut butter smooth.
- To create the marbled pattern, drizzle peanut butter over the chocolate in 5 wide, evenly spaced, parallel lines, each spanning the width of the pan. Like 5 rows of long train tracks.
- Rotate pan 90-degrees. With a toothpick, starting at the top of the pan, “draw” 5 evenly spaced lines through the peanut butter. In essence you’re dragging the toothpick perpendicularly through the first set of lines to create the marbling.
- Cover pan with a sheet of foil (to prevent fridge smells), and place pan in fridge to set up for at least 2 to 3 hours, or overnight, or until chocolate layer is completely set before lifting out with foil overhang, slicing, and serving.
- Bars will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Take care all ingredients used are appropriate for your dietary needs, reading labels and selecting brands that are appropriate.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12squares
Amount Per Serving
Calories 401 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 401kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 50g | 17% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 12g | 71% |
| Cholesterol | 1mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 177mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 38g | 76% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
