Description
These Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats combine the classic gooey marshmallow rice cereal dessert with a rich peanut butter twist and a smooth chocolate topping, creating a deliciously nutty and chocolatey treat that’s easy to make and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Base Mixture
- 4 Tbsp. butter (salted)
- 10 oz. mini marshmallows (reserve 1 cup)
- ¾ cup peanut butter (smooth and creamy)
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ½ tsp. salt
- 5 cups Rice Krispies (or crispy rice cereal)
Topping
- 8 ounces chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: Add the butter to a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for a couple of minutes until the butter bubbles and foams. Continue stirring constantly for another minute until it turns light brown and develops a slightly nutty aroma, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Flavorings and Marshmallows: Reduce heat to low and stir in peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Add all marshmallows and stir to coat them with the peanut butter mixture. Wait until marshmallows puff up, then stir until the mixture is nearly smooth, leaving some marshmallow pieces unmelted. Remove pot from heat.
- Incorporate Rice Cereal and Reserved Marshmallows: Add the Rice Krispies cereal to the marshmallow mixture. Stir thoroughly with a spatula until all cereal is well coated. Mix in the reserved 1 cup of mini marshmallows evenly throughout the mixture.
- Press into Pan: Transfer the mixture into a 9×9-inch baking pan lined with parchment or wax paper. Use a spatula to press it down firmly and evenly. Allow the mixture to cool for 5-10 minutes before proceeding.
- Apply Chocolate Topping: Melt the chocolate chips separately and pour the smooth melted chocolate over the cooled cereal mixture. Spread evenly to cover the top of the treats.
- Set and Serve: Let the chocolate harden at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or speed up by refrigerating for 20-30 minutes. Once set, slice into squares and enjoy your Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats.
Notes
- For best results, use smooth and creamy peanut butter to ensure even mixing.
- Reserving 1 cup of mini marshmallows before melting gives extra texture in the final treats.
- Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan helps the treats hold together better.
- You can swap milk chocolate chips for semi-sweet based on your sweetness preference.
- Store leftover treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
