I volunteered to make dessert for our New Year’s Eve gathering with friends this year. We weren’t having a sit down meal, instead it was super casual with lots of finger food/appetizer-type options. There were only 4 of us, and based on previous years, I knew we’d be so full from the savory stuff that there was a decent chance no one would be up for dessert. I wanted to make a sweet treat just in case, though, so with that in mind, I set out to find something quick and easy I could put together that would be just as good on January 1st, 2nd, or 3rd as it was on December 31st.
Enter these insanely decadent bars – a s’mores-inspired variation on Rice Krispie Treats. They’re practically no-bake, so they definitely fit into both the quick and easy categories, and they’re also good keepers. Several days after I made them, neither the flavor nor the texture had suffered one bit.
So, want to know what the bars are comprised of? There’s a graham cracker base, which is topped with gooey marshmallows and sweet mini peanut butter cups, and finally a rich, crispy, candy bar-like layer that includes melted chocolate, peanut butter and Rice Krispies. I don’t know how you could possibly pack any more goodness into one treat! These s’mores bars are completely addictive, so if you’ve resolved to eat fewer sweets in 2012, don’t say I didn’t warn you π
Peanut Butter Crunch S’mores Bars
adapted from Rice Krispies (via Bakergirl)
5 whole graham crackers (about 5 x 2 1/2 inch rectangles)
1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1.5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies
1/3 cup mini peanut butter cups
Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on opposite sides to lift the bars out.
Arrange the graham crackers in a single layer to cover the bottom of the pan – you may need to break the graham crackers into smaller pieces to fill in gaps.
Sprinkle the marshmallows evenly over the graham crackers. Bake for about 7 minutes, or until the marshmallows are very puffy. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.
Add the chocolate chips, corn syrup and butter to a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second bursts on 50% power, stirring in between each, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Stir the peanut butter into the chocolate mixture then fold in the Rice Krispies until all of the ingredients are combined.
Sprinkle the mini peanut butter cups evenly over the marshmallows then press the Rice Krispies mixture into an even layer on top. Cover and refrigerate the bars for about 1 hour, or until firm. Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and cut into squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. (I liked these best at room temperature so I took mine out of the fridge in advance of eating them.)
Wow, what a good reason to immediately break any new year’s resolutions that involve cutting sweets and or dieting (neither of which are my resolutions thankfully). Those look sinful! I like it.
Oh, yeah! These look amazing, Tracey!!! The perfect little nosh after a meal of yummy appetizers~
Yay I am so glad s’mores are still okay to make even in the winter. One of these days I will finally make s’mores cookies.
Holy heck! I could devour the entire pan of these! They have everything that I love. Dangerous.
Yeah, my New Year’s health kick is officially done-zo.
I just love things in layers, it always looks like such fun and definitely screams “Party!” You were the absolutely correct person to be assigned dessert. Happy New Year, looking forward to a great year with you around. Okay, you and Shane. And, you know…hope floats on other things, right? Right.
wow, Evan would go nuts for these!!! I will have to whip these up for him, maybe for Valentine’s day!!!
These look delicious and dangerous! When I fall off the being good wagon these will be first on the list.
Tracey, these look delicious. Looks like they would be a good traveler too. I’m always looking for a yummy treat I can send to a far away child.
Thanks Tracey, have a great day.
What a great looking treat, particularly after a night of party and perhaps a little bubbly! And you can’t go wrong with PB and chocolate.
Ugh, you are killing me with these! I love anything that has rice krispies in it…I’m a sucker!
Look truly delicious! Could be the perfect treat for me to make for my sorority sister this weekend!
These look fun and obviously tasty π
These would be dangerous in my house. I have a serious peanut butter cup/marshmallow addiction. It can get out of control. I will make these for the “kids” though and see how that goes lol.
B&G love anything with marshmallows or chocolate, so I bet these would be a big hit with them. =)
Tracey- these sound amazing! You know I love your s’mores cookies and now this is even better!
that for the new craving! LOL
Those sound amazing! LOVE s’mores anything!:)
Oh yum, this looks like something that my husband would really love!
Mmm these make me so happy! haha love this idea!!
Bookmarked! These are totally happening at my house SOON!
OMG these seem too easy!! Gosh, this recipe is so dangerous around me. looks like the stretchy pants are coming out this weekend π
Shut. Up.
You’ve taken 2 of my favorite snacks and added peanut butter! I can’t wait to give these a try!
These look awesome! I absolutely love rice krispie treats and s’mores. What a great way to combine the two π
I love S’mores. These look so good Tracey. What a great idea!
I have all the ingredients in my cupboard. I must make them today. I told myself no more sweets for awhile but after seeing these I can’t resist.
If I made and ate every delicous think I find here I would weight 500 obs. Stop!! Stop!! Not really!!
Oh boy these looks so good! I just love smores! The only problem is stopping at eating just one! I may eat the whole pan!!
My siblings and I love to put peanut butter cups instead of pure chocolate on our s’mores so I will have to make these for them because I know they will love them!
These bars combine everything good in the world. Delicious!
I think I would find a way to be up for this dessert, even after a big meal. These look delicious! Thanks for the great idea!
Wow! I love these. What a great little treat. Right up my alley. Reminds me of those crunchy wheel rice crispy treats I bought at the store as a kid but with a twist.
Love all the layers of goodness here. They look sinfully delicious.
These look fabulous! I love simple desserts when we get together with friends. I’ll be giving these a try!
You warned that these would be addictive, they are so delicious!
We made these for the Super Bowl yesterday and they were such a hit at our party – and so easy! Thanks for the keeper of a recipe.