No-Bake Crispy Peanut Bars

Ingredients

• 6 Tablespoons butter or vegan butter like Earth Balance, softened to room temperature
• 1-1/4 cups + 2 Tablespoons peanut butter, divided
• 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 cups gluten-free crispy rice cereal (I used Erewhon)
• 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (I like Enjoy Life,) semi-sweet or dark chocolate recommended

Method

1. Add butter or vegan butter and 1-1/4 cups peanut butter to the bowl of an electric mixer or large mixing bowl. Mix with the stand mixer or hand mixer until smooth. Add powdered sugar then mix until combined. Add crispy rice cereal then mix until just combined. Spray an 8×8 baking dish (can be slightly larger too – whatever you’ve got on hand) with nonstick spray then scoop crispy peanut butter mixture into the dish and spread into an even layer with a spatula.
2. Combine chocolate chips and remaining 2 Tablespoons peanut butter in a microwave safe dish then microwave in 30 second increments, stirring between increments, until smooth (should take about 1-1/2 minutes total.) Pour on top of peanut butter bars then smooth with a spatula. Refrigerate until chocolate has barely set, 25 minutes or so, then score chocolate with a sharp knife. Refrigerate until bars are set, preferably overnight, then slice and serve.

Notes

1. These bars will soften if left sitting out so they are best kept in the fridge until serving.