Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Bars

Peanut butter Rice Krispie bars, sometimes known as O'Henry Bars (though these are usually made with oats) or Scotcharoos, are a dessert that I make every Christmas time though they are delicious any time of the year. I wanted to share this simple and delicious recipe so everyone can make them as well.

Instructable 367

Base

• 1c Sugar or go crazy and use 1/2c white sugar + 1/2c brown sugar)
• 1c Corn syrup
• 1c peanut butter
• 6c Rice Krispies or similar puffed rice cereal
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Topping*

• 1 c. chocolate chips
• ½ c. butterscotch chips or peanut butter

Supplies

• 9 by 12 baking pan
• Spatula
• Measuring cups
• Cooking pot
• Large bowl
• Cooking spray (for the pan and also helpful for the measuring cups with peanut butter and corn syrup)

*The topping is really a personal preference. My husband doesn't like anything on these bars while my parents love a thicker layer of chocolate. I like a nice thin layer which is what you'll get with about 1.5 c. of unmelted topping. If you like it a bit thicker, I recommend doing about 2 - 2.5 cups. Just remember that if you use peanut butter, to use less peanut butter than chocolate chips or the topping won't harden up and be really messy.

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Measure out your cereal into a large bowl.

Start by mixing together corn syrup and sugar in a pot and putting it on high. Mix well and don't let it burn.

(If you are going to mix it in another bigger bowl, you don't need a very big pot; if you plan on pouring the Krispies INTO the pot, you need a pretty big one.)

When the corn syrup and sugar start to boil, turn it off, and take it off the heat.

Mix your peanut butter and vanilla (if you are using any) into the corn syrup and sugar mixture. Stir well.

Once it's all mixed, pour into your cereal and, again, mix well.

Spray your pan with cooking spray to avoid sticking.

Pour your cereal mix into the pan and carefully press it down.

Mix your topping if combining ingredients.

I mixed together semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, some butterscotch chips I had left over, and a bit of peanut butter.

Melt in the microwave until smooth and then spread over your bars. Like I mentioned earlier, about 1.5 cups of unmelted topping will give you a thin coating.