Why You Must Try These Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

• If you love traditional Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats, this version will blow your mind!
• The addition of peanut butter cups elevates these treats to extraordinary levels!
• The glossy chocolate ganache will satisfy any chocoholic’s cravings!

While I may not be a fan of peanut butter sandwiches, my love for peanut butter Rice Krispie treats is undeniable. They always made my middle school days a bit sweeter—much better than just popcorn and pizza! I would often dream about them during my college years, probably because they felt like a slightly healthier option (even if only a tad!).

As we gear up for back-to-school, these cereal bars seem like the perfect solution for lunchboxes. But why stop there? With an extra layer of peanut butter cups, these Stuffed Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats take that classic comfort food to another, drool-worthy, level!

Ingredients

• 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup (I prefer Karo brand)
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 10-ounce bag of snack-sized Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, frozen for about a half hour

Chocolate Topping (double for full coverage):

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, sifted

Instructions

1. Start by lining a 9 x 9-inch pan with non-stick foil, or foil lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Place the Rice Krispies cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
3. In a saucepan, combine the sugar and corn syrup. Heat just until the sugar melts without bringing to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth.
4. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the cereal and mix until all the cereal is evenly coated.
5. Gently press half of the cereal mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Top it with the frozen peanut butter cups.
6. Fill the gaps around the peanut butter cups with small portions of the cereal mixture, then add the remaining cereal mixture on top, pressing gently to create an even layer.
7. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the butter and cream until the butter is melted.
8. Add the chopped chocolate and stir until it’s fully melted. Mix in the powdered sugar until smooth.
9. Pour the chocolate ganache over the cereal bars. If you’d like a thicker topping, feel free to double the chocolate layer!

Tips for Making Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

• For my first batch of these treats, an 8 x 8-inch pan worked perfectly, but I found a 9 x 9-inch pan offers a nicer option for a shorter layer.
• Pro Tip: Spray your measuring utensils with non-stick spray before scooping sticky ingredients (like peanut butter or syrup) to make cleanup a breeze!
• Mix quickly after you combine the peanut butter blend with the Rice Krispies to avoid it hardening.
• Pro Tip: Avoid compacting the layers too firmly; gently pressing works best. If the surface is a tad uneven, just call it rustic!
• I use a rich chocolate ganache for the topping, but melted chocolate chips—my mother’s original recipe suggestion—are also a quick fix if you prefer that route. Just remember, the ganache is tastier and glossier!
• Pro Tip: Freeze the peanut butter cups before using them; this helps them avoid melting while you layer them with warm peanut butter mix.
• Though my mom initially used Special K cereal, I truly believe that Rice Krispies make these treats irresistible!

More Rice Krispie Treats You’ll Love

If you love a good caramel treat, check out my Caramel Stuffed Rice Krispie Treats. There’s also the popular Oreo Rice Krispie Treats, perfect for that chocolate fix! More delicious options include Caramel Rolo Rice Krispie Treats and Cookie Dough Rice Krispie Treats. Don’t miss out on Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars featuring a scrumptious layer of peanut butter ganache, and Rocky Road Fudge Bars for a delightful blend of chocolate, peanut butter, and Krispies!

Taste Tester Testimonial

“I don’t even like peanut butter desserts but these are fabulous,” said my friend Kate after just one bite. “Are these on your blog?” she asked. Of course, I replied, “definitely!”