Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
The ultimate sweet treat that's easy to make and full of flavor! These Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are chewy, crispy, and absolutely delicious. Perfect for any occasion, they’ll quickly become a family favorite. Make them tonight and enjoy the nostalgic taste!
Equipment
- Frying Pan
- Oven
- Saucepan
- Chef's Knife
- Mixing Bowl
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Salted Butter OR use unsalted butter plus ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- 8 cups Mini Marshmallows (preferably Kraft Jet Puffed), divided
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 6 cups Crispy Rice Cereal (Be sure to use a brand that is gluten free.)
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips or 8 oz. chopped chocolate
- 1 teaspoon Avocado or Vegetable Oil
Instructions
- Line a 9×9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil and grease it generously with cooking spray or butter.
- In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter and peanut butter over low heat. Set aside 1 cup of the marshmallows, and add the remaining 7 cups to the melted butter. Stir over low to medium-low heat until just melted (it’s fine if a few unmelted marshmallows remain).
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract (plus the salt if you use unsalted butter).
- Add the cereal and reserved 1 cup of marshmallows and gently stir with a spatula until the cereal is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and gently press down with your fingers to spread it out and fill the pan, but do not pack it down tightly.
- Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds. Stir, and continue to microwave in 15-second intervals until nearly melted. Add the oil and stir until fully melted.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the top of the cereal treats and spread it into an even layer.
- Let cool at room temperature until firm, at least 2 hours. Cut into squares and enjoy.
Notes
If your chocolate has a dull or whitish finish when it hardens, you can lightly brush it with a very small amount of avocado oil or vegetable oil. Since the treats are quite thick, I like to use a brisket knife to cut them into nice, clean squares. You can make them in a 13×9-inch pan, but the treats and chocolate layer will be thinner. You may want to use 1 1⁄2 cups of chocolate chips and 1 1⁄2-2 teaspoons oil for the topping. Prefer just peanut butter? You can skip the chocolate layer.