Description
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Cereal Bars are a no-bake treat with layers of chewy marshmallow rice cereal, creamy peanut butter caramel, and silky salted chocolate. They’re quick to make, indulgent, and perfect for parties, potlucks, or lunchbox surprises.
Ingredients
Marshmallow Rice Base:
Butter
Mini marshmallows
Pinch of salt
Crispy rice cereal
Peanut Butter Caramel Filling:
Granulated sugar
Water
Heavy cream
Butter
Peanut butter (smooth preferred)
Salted Chocolate Topping:
Dark or semisweet chocolate
Butter
Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Brush a 9-inch square baking pan with butter and line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang.
- Cereal Base: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add marshmallows and a pinch of salt, stirring until smooth. Fold in crispy rice cereal until coated. Press into pan and smooth the surface. Let cool 15 minutes.
- Peanut Butter Caramel: In a saucepan, cook sugar and water (without stirring) until deep amber. Remove from heat, whisk in heavy cream and butter. Let cool 1 hour, then whisk in peanut butter until silky. Spread over cereal layer. Chill 30 minutes.
- Chocolate Topping: Melt chocolate and butter over simmering water until smooth. Pour over caramel, smooth to edges, sprinkle with flaky salt. Refrigerate until set (30 minutes to overnight).
- Lift bars from pan using parchment overhang. Slice with a warm, sharp knife for clean edges.
Notes
Store in an airtight container with parchment between layers for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 2 months. For a nut-free version, swap peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg