Elevate your dessert game and triple the decadence with a batch of these truly irresistible Peanut Butter Krispie Brownies! This unique Rice Krispies recipe offers something delightful for everyone, combining classic flavors with an exciting textural adventure.
Ultimate Peanut Butter Krispie Brownies: A Decadent Layered Treat
Prepare to be amazed by these incredible Homemade Rice Krispie Treats, famously known as Rocky Road Fudge Bars, reimagined with a sensational triple-layer twist. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, starting with a rich, fudgy brownie base, followed by a soft, gooey marshmallow layer, and crowned with a delightful, crunchy topping of chocolate, peanut butter, and crispy Rice Krispies!
Why These Peanut Butter Krispie Brownies Are a Must-Make
These aren’t just any brownies; they are a culinary masterpiece that promises to delight your senses and impress your guests. Here’s why these layered dessert bars deserve a prime spot in your baking repertoire:
- A Legacy of Deliciousness: These very Rocky Road Fudge Bars famously won the prestigious Pillsbury Bake-Off in 1972! This historical triumph is a testament to their enduring appeal and proven deliciousness, assuring you that you’re baking a truly celebrated recipe.
- The Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Fusion: If you find yourself perpetually addicted to the classic chocolate and peanut butter combination, then prepare to adore these Crunch Bars. This recipe masterfully brings these two beloved flavors together in a way that is both rich and perfectly balanced, creating a treat that’s impossible to resist.
- A Symphony of Textures: What truly sets these bars apart is their phenomenal textural interplay. Imagine: the deep, fudgy chewiness of the brownie, the soft, melt-in-your-mouth creaminess of the marshmallow, and the satisfying crunch and crispiness of the chocolate peanut butter Rice Krispie topping. Every bite is an exciting journey for your palate.
- Perfect for Every Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, attending a potluck, celebrating a holiday, or simply craving a special treat, these Peanut Butter Krispie Brownies are always a hit. Their impressive appearance belies how easy they are to make, making them a fantastic showstopper dessert for any gathering.
- Crowd-Pleasing Appeal: With their universal appeal, these bars are guaranteed to be a favorite among all ages. The combination of familiar flavors in a decadent, layered format ensures that everyone from picky eaters to gourmet enthusiasts will find something to love.
The Journey to Peanut Butter Krispie Perfection
The inspiration for these magnificent bars struck after a yoga practice when a friend vividly described a similar confection, urging me to try making them. She painted a picture of utterly decadent bars featuring brownies, marshmallows, Rice Krispies, and peanut butter. Intrigued by her enthusiastic description, I knew I had to put them to the test. So, I promptly whipped up half a batch of these Peanut Butter Krispie Topped Brownies in my kitchen.
And she was absolutely spot on. The result was nothing short of extraordinary! For this initial trial, I used my go-to Fudgy Chocolate Brownies recipe as the base, ensuring a rich and moist foundation. The bars were SO good that I honestly could have just eaten the chocolate peanut butter Rice Krispie topping with a spoon before it even made it to the brownies! The combination of textures and flavors was an instant winner, cementing its place as a new favorite.
Key Ingredients for Unforgettable Flavor and Texture
Crafting these delectable Peanut Butter Krispie Brownies starts with selecting quality ingredients that contribute to each layer’s distinct character. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is vital:
- For the Fudgy Brownie Base:
- Kitchen Staples: Butter, Granulated Sugar, All-Purpose Flour, and a pinch of Salt. These fundamental ingredients form the backbone of a classic, rich brownie.
- Semi-sweet Chocolate: Opt for high-quality semi-sweet chocolate, chopped into pieces. I personally love Ghirardelli bars for their superior melt and deep flavor, which elevates the brownie’s chocolate intensity.
- Eggs: Crucial for structure, richness, and binding the ingredients. Always ensure your eggs are at room temperature before mixing, as this allows for easier incorporation and a smoother, more uniform batter.
- Vanilla Extract: A non-negotiable flavor enhancer. Always use real vanilla extract; artificial vanilla simply won’t deliver the same depth and warmth that complements the chocolate so beautifully.
- For the Gooey Marshmallow Layer:
- Mini-Marshmallows: You’ll need enough to create a generous, even layer across the surface of your baked brownies. Mini marshmallows melt more quickly and evenly, creating that perfect soft, gooey texture between the brownie and the crispy topping.
- For the Signature Chocolate Peanut Butter Krispie Topping:
- Semi-sweet Chocolate: Another generous portion of chopped semi-sweet chocolate forms the luscious binding for your Krispie topping. Its quality directly impacts the richness of the final layer.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Tested and proven with creamy Jif brand, its smooth consistency blends flawlessly with the melted chocolate and butter. The bold peanut butter flavor is what makes this topping truly addictive.
- Butter: A small amount of butter added to the topping mixture helps achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency and contributes to its rich, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Rice Krispies Cereal: The star of the crunch! While I used Kellogg’s brand, generic crispy rice cereals will also work excellently, providing that essential light, airy crispness that contrasts wonderfully with the fudgy and gooey layers.
Mastering Your Bake: Expert Tips for Success
Achieving brownie perfection with these decadent layers requires attention to a few key details. Follow these expert tips to ensure your Peanut Butter Krispie Brownies turn out absolutely flawless:
- PRO-Tip for Peanut Butter: Peanut butter can be notoriously sticky to measure. To save yourself from a messy situation and frustrating cleanup, spray your measuring cup generously with cooking spray (like Pam) before scooping out the peanut butter. It will then effortlessly slide out of the cup!
- Effortless Removal: For easy removal of these wonderfully sticky treats from the pan, always line your baking pan with non-stick foil or parchment paper. Make sure to leave an overhang on the sides to create “handles” that you can use to lift the entire batch out once chilled.
- Achieve Even Layers: An offset spatula is your best friend for this recipe. It helps immensely in leveling the thick brownie batter evenly across the pan and, later, for gently spreading the sticky Rice Krispie topping smoothly over the marshmallow layer, ensuring uniform deliciousness in every square.
- PRO-Tip: Don’t Overbake the Brownies! This is perhaps the most crucial rule for achieving truly fudgy brownies. Once you begin to smell that glorious, sweet aroma wafting from your oven, it’s time to check for doneness. Overbaking leads to dry, cakey brownies, which we want to avoid for this recipe’s perfect texture profile.
- The Toothpick Test: To confirm your brownies are perfectly baked, insert a clean toothpick into the middle of the pan. If it comes out clean with no wet batter attached, they’re done. A few moist crumbs clinging to the toothpick are actually ideal for a fudgy brownie – it means they are moist and tender.
- Chill for Cleaner Slices: While the marshmallows will inherently be sticky, chilling the brownies thoroughly before attempting to cut them will significantly simplify the slicing process. The cold helps firm up all the layers, leading to much cleaner edges. Remember to serve them at room temperature for the best texture and flavor experience.
- Choose Your Pan Wisely: This recipe is designed for a 9×13-inch baking pan. Using a pan of a different size can alter the thickness of your layers and affect baking times, potentially leading to an over- or under-baked result.
- Gentle Mixing of Krispies: When folding the Rice Krispies into the chocolate peanut butter mixture, be gentle. You want to coat the cereal without crushing it, preserving its delightful crunch.
Rest assured, even with a little chocolate goo on the marshmallow layer, nobody will be complaining after taking their first decadent bite. In fact, I often have to hide these beauties from myself to prevent eating them all! These Peanut Butter Krispie Brownies are undeniably destined to become a new, highly requested family favorite treat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Layered Brownies
The possibilities for brownie toppings are endless and incredibly fun! While a classic fudgy chocolate frosting remains a perennial favorite, you can explore many other delicious options. Consider rich cream cheese frosting, a tangy vanilla buttercream, or even a luscious peanut butter frosting. For added texture and visual appeal, don’t forget sprinkles, mini M&Ms, chopped nuts, or other small candies. Of course, a gooey marshmallow layer topped with a crispy peanut butter chocolate crunch, as in this recipe, is a truly spectacular choice that elevates brownies to a whole new level of decadence.
Cutting brownies, especially those with sticky layers like marshmallows or gooey toppings, can be tricky but entirely manageable with the right technique. The number one rule is always to chill your brownies thoroughly first; cold brownies are much firmer and easier to slice cleanly. While serving, ensure they come to room temperature for the best eating experience, as very cold brownies can be too hard. A classic trick is to use a hot, dry knife: run your knife under hot water, wipe it completely dry, and then make a single cut. Repeat this process for each cut, cleaning and reheating the knife every time. This helps melt a thin layer of the sticky topping, preventing it from clinging to the blade. There are also specialized plastic brownie knives designed to minimize sticking, which many bakers find incredibly effective.
Absolutely! While this recipe includes a homemade brownie base, using a high-quality box brownie mix is a fantastic shortcut if you’re short on time or prefer convenience. Simply prepare and bake your favorite box brownie mix according to the package directions for a 9×13-inch pan. Once the brownie base is baked, allow it to cool slightly, and then proceed with the marshmallow and chocolate peanut butter Krispie topping layers as instructed in this recipe. This modification makes these decadent bars even more accessible to busy bakers!
You May Also Love These Decadent Desserts
- Brownie in a Mug from Savory Experiments – for a quick, single-serving treat.
- Classic Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies – another irresistible chocolate peanut butter duo, no oven required!
- Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies – for an even more intense peanut butter experience within your brownies.
- Plus, explore all my Best Brownie Recipes for more delightful variations.
This beloved recipe was first shared in September 2010. The photos and text were comprehensively updated in 2021 to provide an even better experience for our readers.
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The Recipe:
Peanut Butter Krispie Topped Brownies
Rich brownies layered with marshmallows and chocolate peanut butter Rice Krispies!
30 minutes
42 minutes
1 hour 12 minutes
12 brownies
Average rating: 4.7 stars based on 21 reviews.
Ingredients
Brownies:
- ½ cup butter
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping:
- 2+ cups mini-marshmallows (enough to cover the surface of the brownies)
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9 x 13-inch pan with greased foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and the first 8 ounces of chocolate until smooth. Stir in sugar and allow to cool slightly. Mix in eggs and vanilla until well blended. Add flour and salt, mixing until just combined.
- Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the brownies comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Do not overbake.
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with mini-marshmallows, covering the entire surface. Return to the oven for 2 minutes, just until the marshmallows are softened and slightly puffed.
- Remove the pan to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
- For the topping: In a separate microwave-safe bowl, heat the second 8 ounces of chocolate, peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons of butter for 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the Rice Krispies cereal to the chocolate peanut butter mixture and fold gently until the cereal is fully coated.
- Drop spoonfuls of the Rice Krispie mixture evenly over the cooled marshmallow layer. Carefully spread to coat the top of the bars, pressing down gently.
- Cool the brownies in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow all layers to set. Once chilled, use the foil/parchment overhang to lift the entire slab from the pan. Score and cut into squares or bars.
Notes
May use a brownie box mix that makes enough for a 9 x 13-inch pan. Make and bake as directed on the box, then continue with this recipe’s topping instructions.
Recommended Products
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- Plastic Brownie Knife
- Smithcraft Stainless Steel Measuring Cups Set
- Set of Glass Mixing Bowls
- 9 x 13 Baking Pan
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 servings |
Serving Size: 1 brownie
Amount Per Serving:
Total Fat: 33g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 87mg
Sodium: 281mg
Carbohydrates: 71g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 52g
Protein: 10g