They say there is a first time for everything. And these bars represent the very first time I have ever seen a recipe and made it in the same day. Sure, I have seen recipes before that I think are fabulous and I bookmark them, and maybe whip them up a few days later. But not these babies. These were same-day beauties. I saw the post in the morning, went to the store and had them ready in time for dessert. Truth be told though, few things stop my heart the way peanut butter and chocolate do. Then throw in Rice Krispies treats and you’ve completely disarmed any semblance of self-control I may have otherwise possessed. I didn’t eat a ton of Rice Krispies treats growing up, but they have somehow transfixed me as an adult. I’m such a sucker for them, and I love making all sorts of variations. This one in particular will be making many appearances in the future!
As with all Rice Krispies treat recipes, the beauty is in the simplicity and quickness with which they can be made. No oven required, and not even a stove if you choose to melt the butter and marshmallows in the microwave. It’s perfect for summertime desserts, and a great snack that kids can help make. If your house or apartment runs warm you’ll want to store these in the refrigerator so that the peanut butter topping doesn’t get too melty. No matter where you store them, though, you’ll be licking your fingers when you’re done!
One year ago: Tin Roof Ice Cream
Two years ago: American Sandwich Bread
Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispies Treats
Yield: 24 squares (or cut into smaller bars for a yield of 48)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
6 cups Rice Krispies
1 bag (10.5-oz) miniature marshmallows
¼ cup (2 ounces) unsalted butter
2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 bag (12-oz) miniature peanut butter cups (about 40), quartered
1 cup milk chocolate chips (or 6 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped)1. Butter a 9×13-inch pan and set aside.
2. Measure the cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside. Melt the marshmallows and butter together in a medium saucepan over medium heat (or in the microwave for about 3 minutes, but keep watch so the marshmallows don’t puff over the sides of the bowl!). Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the cereal and mix well so the cereal is coated. Pour into the prepared pan and use a buttered piece of wax paper to press evenly into pan.
3. In the microwave, melt the peanut butter until thin, about 1 minute. Gently stir in the quartered peanut butter cups and then pour over the treats. Using the back of a spoon, gently spread the peanut butter mixture evenly across the top.
4. Again in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips. Using a spoon, drizzle the melted chocolate across the top. Place the pan in the refrigerator to set before cutting and serving. Store in an airtight container.
(Recipe adapted from Picky Palate)
Great Rice Krispies Treats Variations:
Cookies and Cream Rice Crispy Treats (Picky Palate)
Espresso-Cream Cheese Rice Krispie Treats (Vanilla Sugar)
Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars (Brown Eyed Baker)
S’mores Rice Krispies Squares (Elle’s New England Kitchen)
White Chocolate Rice Krispie Treat with Candied Peanuts (David Lebovitz)
Tags: Bar Desserts, Chocolate, marshmallows, Peanut Butter, rice krispies
Share This Post:
Wow I just printed up that recipe! I try to keep the ingredients on hand for crispy treats since they are so quick and easy and not something everyone makes. I can’t wait to try this recipe. I will have to buy some peanut buter cups tonight! Thanks for sharing!
Oh. Dear. GOD. My mouth literally dropped open when I saw this recipe. I am lusting for these treats! Rest assured, it is already printed & they shall be made in the most immediate future. THANK YOU for posting this! You & these treats are most awesome.
I don’t comment often, but wow. These look amazing, as does everything on the “things you might also like”
These look AMAZING. I have no other words, I just want to eat them!
I probably would have made these the same day I saw them as well. They look incredible and the flavor combination here soudns delicous.
Those look tasty and indulgent!
I LOVE rice crispy treats and these are the best I’ve seen. I must make these soon! You’re awesome (=
Ok…Ive never been a fan of rice crispie treats but these have changed my entire perspective. I’m bookmarking this page because these will absolutely have to be made.
Oh my gosh! These look like they’d satisfy all of my cravings right now. What’s not to like? Looking at the photos, my brain and my stomach simultaneously said “We want those!” Then my 7 year old said he did, too.
Thanks for the link, too!
Oh, yum!! These sound right up my alley!! Haven’t grocery-shopped this week yet…think I’ll have to add Rice Krispies to my list!
Wow, just like you said, a combo of the best ingredients! Reese’s minis are my all-time favorite candy. I’ll have to give Rice Krispie Treats another try one of these days.
And eaten in a day!
Ooh yum! I’ve done the same thing with caramel and chocolate on the top of crispies, but not Reese’s. Awesome!
oh how i love you for posting these! you have made my day.
I love oven/stove top free cooking. Especially in the dead heat of summer in my non-centrally air conditioned home! They look delicious…
I saw those this morning too! amazing
can’t wait to try them!
LOVE these bars! Actually, I love rice crispies so this one’s right up my alley.
Your fantastic photos and description hooked me! I spring for PB and Chocolate, so when I saw it on your blog this morning, I had to make them TODAY. Just had my first sample and these do not disappoint! Bakers take heed–these are not for the faint-of-peanut butter heart! So decadent! Thank you so much for the recipe!
I love those pictures! I think they had great success!
Thanks for the great recipe, I made these as soon as I saw them! They are really good and easy to make and I love peanut butter, chocolate, and marshmallow together. I also used some chopped butterfingers as well because I didn’t have enough reesee’s peanut butter cups. Yummy!
wow! this sounds so delicious!
oh wow, these look fabulous. i,too am a sucker for PB & chocolate!!
oh dear another goodie i must make. my love for pb & choco is endless…
thanks for the shout out too.
I AM GOING TO MAKE THIS RIGHT NOW!! YUMMY!!
Oh.My.God. These look so good. I’m drooling right now.
Oh…my…gosh…
This is too much! These look so amazing!
These are hard to see an not make immediately!
Jason
I love rice crispy treats but I’ve not done this sort of layering with them before. Great idea. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! My girlfriend and I have been trying to eat healthier, but this recipe looks too darn good! We may have to cheat
You and Jenny are killing me with this recipe! I know I’ll have to make it because whenever I look at your picture my mouth waters. Yum!
Oooh! For some reason, I’ve never been a huge Rice Krispie Treat fan, but I actually want to make these!! The addition of peanut butter makes them soooo delicious-looking!!
Ooh… These look GREAT! Love this new twist on rice krispies treats!!
I wish I could express how much I adore peanut butter and chocolate. I LOVE the fact that you post so many different peanut butter recipes. Your website is my go to website for all desserts! Keep the recipes coming! I’m making these tomorrow!
Oh my. Now after seeing these in two different places, I think my free will has been taken away and I will be “forced” to make these TODAY. I’m blaming this all on you.
I just came across this recipe looking for a snack to make for the kids today and this is just perfect…. I cannot wait to try it…. I have all the ingredients on hand and ready to go… I will try anything with peanut butter and chocolate….
Thanks..
I’ve baked a ton of things from your website with success it was about time for failure. And with the easiest recipe!
I dont know what went wrong, but they did not turn out at all. My chocolate chips did not melt but kind of hardened into a thick ball. Which i then tried to spread across runny peanut butter…not pretty.
I will try again though
I have returned to this page numerous times over the last few days, each time dreaming of these bars. I think it’s time I actually make them myself! Love your pics btw!
Ummm, wow! These look great! It is one of those recipes that I NEED to make before I’m done being pregnant and no longer have an excuse to eat them
Made these last night- OMG delicious. I mean, I knew they were going to be good. I love RKT, Peanut Butter & Reeses…But these are seriously better than I even imagined! They are so good that my husband was mad at me for sharing a few with my brother & his wife.
Thanks for sharing the recipe! PS- I love your blog too!
These look so yummy. I wish I had marshmallow on hand. Wow. I have a feeling I will be making these soon. Thanks for the food porn pictures and the recipe. OMG.
Made these last night..yum! The only thing I would change is the peanut butter part..once it sets it’s just like biting into a mouthful of peanut butter which is kinda off-putting for some. I have a recipe for Buckeyes that I make all the time (basically peanut butter & powdered sugar and butter). I might just make that peanut butter filling and push that onto the top and then the chocolate..might be better and like a spread out Reese’s cup!
Oh gosh, I *LOVE* your idea for the pseudo-buckeye topping! I love buckeyes and that sounds fabulous, definitely trying it myself next time. Thanks so much for the super suggestion!
This sounds sooooooooooo wonderful! A must try!!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
I made these the other night, to mixed reviews. While they were very good, they were also very rich (too rich for our taste buds). When I make these again, I will make the following changes: (1) not press down the rice Krispie part down too much, just lightly, (2) sprinkle quartered Reese’s cups over the top, then drizzle the warmed peanut butter over the top (prob about 1 c. total, not 2 c. – it was too much), and finally (3) drizzle the melted chocolate over the top. I think with these changes, the peanut butter part will not overwhelm so much, and they will taste awesome. Overall, a great recipe.
Omg these are AMAZING!! I added pretzels to the peanut butter and peanut buttercup topping which gave it a nice added salty touch.
Ooooh pretzels?! Amazing idea! I love it!
Amazing! I can’t even speak…….thanks for sharing.
I used Nutella instead of peanut butter, and a chopped up milk chocolate hazelnut candy bar in place of the Reeses cups and it turned out great! Perfect for Nutella Day 2001!
I love peanut butter and these were delicious, but I thought two cups of peanut butter was way too much!
I made these and they were AMAZING!! Rice krispie treats were my favorite dessert as a kid. Such a nice twist on this classic treat.
I found this last weekend and made them twice this week! The second time around I chilled the peanut butter cups for a bit in the fridge so they stood up to the warm peanut butter a little better and didn’t use *quite* as much peanut butter. Then added a thin layer of dark chocolate glaze on top.
My coworkers gobbled up both batches in the blink of an eye
Thanks for sharing!
I am with you on the PB and chocolate combo…it’s my ultimate weakness. I need to try making these!
Oh my goodness…..I had been looking at this recipe for a few weeks and finally made them for a family pool party today. They are to die for!!! EVERYONE loved them and gobbled them up….I came home with an empty pan!!! Everyone wanted the recipe. This is definitely one of my favorite recipes now!!!
WOW!!! There goes the diet…all in ONE recipe!!! Awesome!
Wendy, a friend of mine, brought in a dish of these tonight in honor of HER birthday, to our scrapbook evening. OMG!!! HEAVEN!!! Totally decadent and just wonderful!
I made these today and they were totally yummy. I don’t know about big city fancy grocery stores, but in my small town store a bag of mini Reece’s is over $4. I thought this would be a really quick, easy recipe. And it would have been but I underestimated how long it would take to unwrap and cut up 40 PB cups. I must have got my melted PB a little too hot, and I was disappointed when the chopped up PB cups just melted.
So I think next time to make it quicker, I will just use a bag or 2 of Reece’s Pieces and I will sprinkle it over the PB after it has cooled a little bit. I think peanut M&M’s would be yummy too.
I made these this week, but used a peanut butter ganache instead of the peanut butter for warm weather stability. Both recipes are super tasty and easy to make!
These are amazing! My husband, a PB&C devotee, was adorable when I told him I was making them–”Rice Krispies treats come in different flavors? Why didn’t anyone ever tell me!” I think I’ll have to make these pretty often.
I made these last night. So good!!!