Made with just 6 simple ingredients, including Rice Krispie’s, toasted coconut, and creamy peanut butter, these bars are perfect for whipping up when a sweet tooth strikes. Topped with a decadent layer of melted chocolate, they’re guaranteed to disappear in a flash!
A little bit about this recipe…
These Krispy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars aren’t just a delicious snack – they’re a delicious portal back to simpler times. My grandma used to whip these up whenever a sweet tooth struck, and the aroma of peanut butter and chocolate wafting from the kitchen would instantly transport me to a place of pure comfort. The best part? This recipe is as easy as those warm memories. With just six simple ingredients, you can create a batch of these delightful bars in no time.
The base of this bar is a dream team of creamy peanut butter, chewy Rice Krispies, and a touch of shredded coconut for a delightful textural surprise. It’s not a perfectly uniform blend, but rather a delightful mix where you get pops of Rice Krispies and coconut in every bite. This adds a fun, homemade feel that sets it apart from store-bought treats. But the magic doesn’t stop there! These bars are then crowned with a generous layer of melted chocolate that hardens to a perfect sheen, adding a touch of richness and decadence. So next time you’re looking for a quick and easy snack that tastes like love, give Grandma’s Krispy Peanut Butter Bars a try. They’re perfect for sharing with friends and family, or simply indulging in a little taste of childhood yourself.
Ingredients used
Calling all little chefs! These bars are so easy to make, thanks to only 6 simple ingredients. Your mini-me’s can help measure, mix, and create a delicious treat with you.
Margarine: Our base starts with margarine, which helps bind the dry ingredients together and adds a touch of richness to the peanut butter layer. (Feel free to substitute butter if you prefer!)
Peanut Butter: The star of the show! Creamy peanut butter provides the base layer’s delicious flavor and helps bind everything together.
Rice Krispies: These little guys add that delightful snap, crackle, and pop! They also help to create the bars’ signature texture.
Coconut: A touch of shredded coconut adds a surprising and delightful textural contrast – a welcome little burst in every bite! Icing Icing Sugar: Sweetens the peanut butter base and helps it bind with the other dry ingredients.
Melting Chocolate: The decadent finishing touch! A layer of melted chocolate hardens on top, adding richness and that perfect chocolatey sheen.
Substitutions/Alterations
Add a Hint of Spice: For a grown-up twist, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the peanut butter base for a touch of warmth.
Dried Fruit Fun: Explore different textures by adding chopped dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, or chopped dried cherries to the base for a burst of sweetness and chew.
Play with Chocolate: While melted chocolate is classic, feel free to experiment! Try using white chocolate or even dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
A little Drizzle: Don’t stop at a simple pour! Once the chocolate has cooled slightly, drizzle melted white chocolate, peanut butter, or caramel sauce over the top for a decorative touch.
Sprinkle Celebration: Get festive! Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts, edible glitter, or colorful sprinkles over the top of the chocolate for a fun and celebratory look.
How to Store
Refrigerated Storage (for longer-term): If you want to keep your bars fresh for longer (up to a week), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cooler temperature will help the chocolate topping stay firm and the bars will maintain their texture. When you’re ready to enjoy a chilled bar, take it out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. This will allow the chocolate to soften slightly and the peanut butter base to come back to a delightful spreadable consistency.
Other Recipes to try…
Krispy Chocolate Peanut Butter Slice
Equipment
- Microwave Safe Bowl
- Microwave or saucepan
- saucepan
- 9-inch Pan
- Measuring Cups
- Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup margarine or butter
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup coconut shredded, unsweetened
- 1 cup Rice Krispies
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 4 ounces melting chocolate semi-sweet
Instructions
- Grease a 9-inch square baking pan. This will help ensure the bars come out easily.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the margarine. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in 1/3 to 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter. Note: The amount of peanut butter you use can be adjusted to your preference a little more for a stronger peanut flavor, a little less for a more balanced taste.
- Add icing sugar, stir until combined.
- Add rice cereal and coconut, mix until combined. Note: If your mixture is more on the runny side you can add a bit more rice cereal.
- Transfer the peanut butter mixture to your greased baking pan. Use a spatula and gently press the mixture into the pan, creating a compact and uniform layer.
- Melt your chocolate. Note: You can do this in a microwave safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, or in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Make sure the chocolate is smooth and melted.
- Carefully pour the melted chocolate over the top of the peanut butter layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Let the bars cool completely at room temperature. This will allow the chocolate to harden and set. You can speed up the process by placing the pan in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- Once the bars are cool and the chocolate is set, cut them into desired serving sizes.
Notes
- Don’t overheat the chocolate when melting it, as this can cause it to seize (become clumpy and unusable). Use low heat and stir frequently.
- Make sure the chocolate isn’t too hot before spreading it over the peanut butter base. If it’s too hot, it can melt the peanut butter layer.
- It is better to use thick and smooth peanut butter as it makes the mixture less oily. If using a runnier peanut butter, you can add a bit more rice cereal.
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