Like all young moms, finding food items that excited and pleased little eaters was like finding a gold mine …. especially if you had a child with somewhat of a selective palate (a.k.a. ‘picky eater’). Daughter Krissa was one of those children who would be content to eat peanut butter for every meal, making it my constant challenge to find ways to disguise or squeeze in other nutritious foods so that she would be none the wiser.
Like many moms, I regularly prepared the cereal box version of the recipe for Rice Krispie squares …and it never failed to be a popular treat. However, unbeknownst to me, Krissa was doing her own ‘change-up’ so that she would enjoy this treat even more. Perhaps so as not to offend me, she would quietly and privately slather a thick layer of peanut butter atop her rice krispie square. When this adaptation was eventually discovered, I took it upon myself to find a recipe that included her favourite food. Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats then became another family favourite.
…and then the discovery of the beautiful things that happen when peanut butter is paired with chocolate ….
This one’s for you, Krissa!
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 16-25 treats, depending on size
Ingredients:
3-4 cups Rice Krispie cereal
½ cup (125 mL) golden cane syrup (Lyle’s or Roger’s), or corn syrup
½ cup (125 mL) granulated sugar
1 cup (250 mL) regular peanut butter (not light, or natural)
2 teaspoons (10 mL) pure vanilla extract
Topping:
1 cup (250 mL) semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate chips
1 tablespoon (15 mL) peanut butter
1/3 cup (85 mL) chopped roasted peanuts
Method:
1. Pour cereal in a large mixing bowl.
2. In a saucepan, combine syrup and sugar. Cook over low-medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture just about comes to a boil – don’t let it boil.
3. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until it has melted. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal and thoroughly combine.
5. Press into a baking pan (8×8 or 9×9) that has been lighlty sprayed with a cooking oil spray, or lined with parchment paper. Let cool completely before spreading on the topping.
6. Topping: Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter (over hot water or in the microwave). Spread over the cooled cereal mixture. Sprinkle with chopped nuts.
7. When the chocolate has cooled and set, cut into squares or triangles ….and enjoy!
