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Turn basic pantry finds into awesome bite-size snacks with these chocolate peanut butter rice krispie cups. Salty-sweet and super crunchy, they're a throwback treat that's a big hit with grownups and little ones alike. Think crisp cereal, nutty peanut butter, and melty chocolate—just about perfect together.
I came up with these when my nephew’s birthday baking plans went sideways because the oven died. Everyone loved them so much, and now they’re our go-to ‘uh-oh, need sweets now’ dessert. Honestly, we don’t wait for a crisis.
Irresistible Ingredients
- Salt: A pinch—about ⅛ teaspoon—pulls all those flavors together and amps up that sweet-and-salty goodness
- Honey: 6 tablespoons bring everything together with a little sticky sweetness and a hint of floral vibes
- Chunky peanut butter: 1 cup, loaded with nutty bits and tons of flavor—go for unsweetened for a real peanut punch
- Chocolate chips: 1½ cups cap these treats off with a silky layer—spring for good quality, it melts smoother and tastes richer
- Rice Krispies cereal: 3 cups make that snappy base, keeping things light and super crispy
Super-Simple Steps
- Chill and firm up:
- Pop the whole muffin pan in the fridge for about an hour or two. You want the cups to feel solid and the chocolate to set up nice and hard before you try to peel off the wrappers.
- Melt the chocolate chips:
- Warm up the chocolate chips in short bursts in the microwave or over hot water. Give them a stir every half minute so you don’t scorch them. Spoon the gooey chocolate over each cup and let it cover that center dip.
- Pack the cups:
- Grab your prepared muffin tin and fill each section evenly with your mix. Press things down gently with the back of a wet spoon or your fingertips so you get a spot in the middle for the chocolate to sit.
- Mix in the cereal:
- Take the pot off the heat and toss in your cereal. Gently stir it all up for a couple of minutes. Try not to squish the cereal—you want every bit coated, but still crunchy.
- Get the peanut butter melting:
- Add peanut butter, honey, and a sprinkle of salt to a pot over low heat. Keep it moving for about 3-4 minutes till it looks runny and everything’s mixed. Nice and slow so nothing burns.
- Line your tin:
- Pop paper or silicone liners in your muffin pan. This way, you won’t struggle to pop the treats out later and they keep their shape really well.
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Chunky peanut butter is the not-so-secret star here. My kid used to hunt for the peanut pieces and line them up like little treasures. She still does that teen grin when she bites into one and finds them. It’s kinda become a sweet family tradition.
Tasty Ways to Serve
Pair these little cups with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra fun. The cold ice cream and the chewy, crispy treats play off each other perfectly. For something special, set a just-warmed cup next to the frozen scoop and watch the chocolate get a bit gooey. Everyone loves that hot-cold mix.
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Keep Them Fresh & Prep Ahead
If you let these treats hang out overnight, the flavors come together even more. Stack them in a box with parchment between layers, and they’ll be great for up to 3 days at room temp, a week in the fridge, or 3 months in the freezer. Frozen? Let them sit out for about 20 minutes so they aren’t too icy to bite into.
Fun Ways to Switch It Up
Use this basic method as a starting point to play. Swap in almond butter for something mellower. White chocolate fans can easily make the change for a creamier finish. When the chocolate’s still melty, toss sprinkles, chopped nuts, or a little bit of sea salt on top for extra crunch and pizzazz.
Common Questions
- → Can I swap chunky peanut butter for smooth?
Totally! Smooth peanut butter gives a classic texture, but chunky adds extra crunch if you want a little more bite.
- → How do I make this treat vegan?
Just use plant-based sweeteners like agave or maple syrup, and vegan chocolate chips. That’s it.
- → Are fancy muffin liners a must?
Nope! Paper or silicone liners make these so easy to pop out, and cleanup is a breeze.
- → Is it okay to keep these cups for a while?
Yep—just stick them in a sealed container in your fridge for about a week, or freeze to keep them even longer.
- → Can I toss different toppings on top?
Go for it! Try crushed nuts, a sprinkle of sea salt, or mini marshmallows before the chocolate firms up to jazz them up.