These are the chewiest and most delicious Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats you will make! The secret here is that you don’t use marshmallows or butter in the mix, like traditional Rice Krispie treats. Instead using sugar and light karo syrup allows the peanut butter flavor to SHINE.
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A similar recipe you will love are these Classic Scotcheroos. The Peanut Butter Rice Krispies are topped with a chocolate and butterscotch frosting! It’s a classic Midwestern treat.
No Marshmallows Required
You are in luck if you are fresh out of marshmallows, you can still make these peanut butter treat bars!
A marshmallow is basically made of sugar, gelatin and corn syrup. So instead of using the marshmallows we really only need the sugar and light Karo syrup, that combined with the peanut butter is enough sticky binding ingredients to pull everything together.
Ingredients
Just 4 simple ingredients are needed to make Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats. Here are a few tips on 3 of the ingredients:
Karo Syrup: this is basically a sweet corn syrup. Make sure you purchase the “light” it will be clear in color. You will find it in the baking aisle at the grocery store.
Peanut Butter: You will want to purchase creamy peanut butter. I would stay clear of the “natural” style peanut butters that sometimes have the oil and nut butter separated. This is a good time to buy Jif or Skippy or the similar store brand.
Puffed Rice Cereal: The brand name for this is Rice Krispies, but the store brand or off brand, sometimes called Puffed Rice Cereal, will work just fine!
Step by Step How To
This treat will come together super quick! Ready:
- Prep an 8×8 or 9×9 pan with non stick spray.
- Place a large pot over medium-low heat.
- Add the karo syrup and sugar. Let it melt over the heat but not boil!
- Stir in the peanut butter until it melts completely.
- Stir in the puffed rice cereal.
- Turn out into your prepared 8×8 pan.
- Press them into the pan.
Recipe Tips
- Start with a large pot so you can add all 6 cups of cereal in with the peanut butter, this will limit the number of dirty dishes!
- Prep your pan with non stick spray.
- Don’t let the Karo Syrup and Sugar mixture boil, that will turn your Peanut Butter Rice Krispie treats into rocks!
- Wet your hands when pressing the treats into the 8×8 pan, this prevents the sticky treats from sticking to your hands!
- These are pretty sweet little treats, cut them into smaller squares than you would a traditional Rice Krispie Treat.
More Delicious “Bar” Desserts
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Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup light Karo Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup (heaping) creamy peanut butter
- 6 cups puffed rice cereal - (ex. Rice Krispie Cereal)
Instructions
- Prep an 8×8 (or 9×9) pan by spraying with non stick spray. Set aside.
- Place a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the Karo Syrup and sugar.1 cup light Karo Syrup, 1 cup sugar
- Let that melt together but do not let it boil!! Pro Tip: if this mixture boils it will turn your bars into rock hard treats!!
- Stir in the peanut butter until it melts in completely.1 cup (heaping) creamy peanut butter
- Now stir in 6 cups of puffed rice cereal. It may be hard to stir. Pro Tip: Make sure you are stirring all the way to the bottom to get all the peanut buttery deliciousness!6 cups puffed rice cereal
- Pour the mixture into your prepared pan. Press it into an even layer all the way to the corners of the pan.Pro Tip: Wet your hands before pressing the sticky treats, this will prevent them from sticking to your hands.
- Let the bars cool and set for about an hour before cutting.
Cutting
- You can cut them one by one out of the pan.OR You can run a knife around the edge of the pan and then turn it out. Cut into squares and then store in an air tight container for up to week.
- These are a very sweet treat, cut them into 16 squares. (4×4 in your pan)
Freezing
- You can also freeze these bars in a freezer baggie. They will be good for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp before serving.
Nelda Krug
I remember these from my school lunch room many years ago. In Tomball, Texas
Susie Weinrich
They are a nostalgic treat for sure! We love them!