Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

Daylight savings begins in less than 1 week!  Although I feel as though winter never really came this year... I am ready for spring nonetheless!  I can't wait for the longer days that stretch into the late evening; and getting back outdoors every day.

These bars are no-bake, which is perfect for the soon to be warmer days when you don't want to turn on the oven.  Part traditional rice krispie bar, and part peanut-buttery scotcheroo.  Simple and delicious.

Chocolte-Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
(slightly adapted from Everyday Food magazine)

cooking spray
8 cups cocoa krispies or rice krispies ( I used plain rice krispies)
1/2 stick unsalted butter
5 cups mini marshmallows
3/4 cup NATURAL unsweetened peanut butter, chunky
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup salted roasted peanuts, roughly chopped ( I skipped these)

Gease a 9" square baking pan with cooking spray.  Place cereal in a large bowl. (As you can see I didn't have quite enough rice krispies, so had to substitute some chex...sometimes improvisation is required and okay :)

In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.  Add the marshmallows, peanut butter, and salt.  Cook and stir until completely melted and combined.

Remove from heat and combine with the cereal.  Work fast, it stiffens up quickly.  Let it cool slightly, then stir in chocolate chips and peanuts if you are using them.

Press into prepared pan with a spatula, or your fingers (lightly greased).

(I love chocolate and peanut butter right up in my face like this.... ah... :)

Let stand at room temp about 20 minutes to firm up.