Frosted Peanut Butter Chewy Bars

My stepmom and I share a deep and abiding love for peanut butter.  On our recent trip to England she mentioned these amazing Frosted Chews that she makes.  They are similar to a Rice Krispie treat except that they are made with peanut butter instead of marshmallow.  As she started describing them to me, I knew that I needed to make them ASAP.  I also knew that it wouldn't be a good idea for me to have an entire batch of these in my house because I have zero willpower (as you already know if you regularly read my blog).  Luckily, I had a potluck coming up and these were the perfect treat to bring.

Not only are these amazingly delicious, they are no-bake which is a huge plus during these horrendously hot summer months.  Add in the fact that these are make-ahead (and can even be frozen) and we have a winning dessert!

These Frosted Peanut Butter Chewy Bars are super easy to make! Start out by bringing equal parts sugar, corn syrup, and honey to a boil (stirring occasionally).  If you prefer, you can use just honey or just corn syrup instead of a combination of the two.  Once your sugar mixture boils, take it off the heat and add in some peanut butter, stirring it together until it is all nice and melted.  Y-U-M!  Control yourself and don't eat it yet (well, maybe one little taste, I won't tell).

Stir in your cereal of choice.  I used Kashi Go Lean because that makes these a health food, and I'm all about health foods obviously.  I actually really love Kashi Go Lean.  When I was pregnant I used to mix it with cottage cheese and eat it for snack.  I highly recommend it.

Anyway... back to the bars.  Once you have completely coated the cereal with the peanut butter mixture, press it into a 9 x 13 inch pan sprayed with cooking spray.  I used a deep cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Stick this in the fridge to cool while you make the frosted part of this addictive little treat.

In case you can't tell how deliciously peanut buttery these are, here's a closer look.

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine some chocolate chips and some butterscotch chips.  I used a ratio of 2 to 1 chocolate to butterscotch so it wouldn't be over the top sweet but if you like things super duper sweet, go ahead and do half and half.

Microwave the chips in 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until melted.  It took me 1 minute.  When I pulled them out of the microwave after the 2nd time they still looked pretty solid, but once I finished stirring, they were perfectly smooth and melted.  Remember, you can always put them back in to melt more, you can't undo it if you go too far, you'll just have to start over, so I like to err on the side of caution.

Take the chews out of the fridge and use a spatula to spread the melted chips over the cereal mixture.

My "frosting" didn't reach completely to the edges but that is okay.  When you cut them into bars, just cut those parts off and thriftily pop them in your mouth.  It will be our little secret ;)

Cool completely before cutting into bars.  I prefer to eat them cold, but they are just as delicious at room temperature. If you have any leftovers (wow, you have amazing powers of restraint) freeze them and you can eat them straight from the freezer.  Mmm, mmm, mmm!

There is honestly no way to describe how unbelievably addictive and good these Frosted Peanut Butter Chewy Bars are.  The crunch from the cereal, the sticky sweet peanut butter, and the smooth chocolate and butterscotch topping combine to make a dangerously delicious, no-bake treat. 

Frosted Peanut Butter Chewy Bars

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 6 cups Kashi Go Lean (or cereal of your choice)
• 2 cups (12 oz.) chocolate chips
• 1 cup (6 oz.) butterscotch chips

1. Cook sugar, honey, and corn syrup in a large pot over medium heat until it boils, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove from heat and add in peanut butter, stirring until melted.
3. Add in cereal and stir until evenly coated.
4. Press into a 9 x 13 inch pan lined with parchment paper.  Cool in fridge.
5. Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips in the microwave in 30 second intervals stirring well after each until melted and smooth.
6. Spread melted chips over cereal mixture.  Cool completely before cutting into bars.

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