Decadent No-Bake Chocolate Avalanche Bars: Your Easiest 3-Chocolate Dessert
Indulge in the ultimate no-bake treat with these Chocolate Avalanche Bars – a deliciously simple twist on the classic avalanche cookies, featuring three glorious kinds of chocolate!
Have you ever encountered the delightful world of avalanche cookies or bark? Traditionally, avalanche bark features a creamy white chocolate base generously studded with crunchy rice cereal and fluffy marshmallows, creating a perfect balance of textures and sweetness, much like these Easy No Bake Avalanche cookies. But what if you’re a devout chocolate lover, yearning for a richer, deeper flavor experience?
Today, we’re taking that beloved concept and elevating it with a luxurious chocolate twist, transforming it into incredibly easy-to-make bars. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it the perfect dessert for any occasion, or simply when a chocolate craving strikes.
The original inspiration for avalanche bark, with its unique flavor combination, is often credited to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Our rendition takes that foundation and builds upon it, introducing three distinct types of chocolate to create an absolutely irresistible treat. Beyond the rich chocolate blend, the inclusion of creamy peanut butter and soft marshmallows ensures these bars will be a huge hit with anyone who tries them. They are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for parties, potlucks, or a simple family dessert.
Why These Chocolate Avalanche Bars Will Be Your New Favorite Dessert
- Effortlessly No-Bake: When it comes to desserts, nothing beats the convenience of a no-bake recipe. These Chocolate Avalanche Bars are incredibly simple to prepare, requiring no oven time whatsoever. From the moment you decide you want to make them until they’re chilling in the fridge, you’re looking at about 10-15 minutes of active prep. This makes them perfect for busy schedules, hot summer days when you want to avoid heating up your kitchen, or a quick dessert fix.
- Simple, Accessible Ingredients: Despite featuring three kinds of chocolate, all the ingredients required for this recipe are easy to find at any grocery store. Furthermore, the recipe is highly adaptable, allowing you to use what you already have on hand. This flexibility ensures you can whip up these delicious bars without a special trip to the store.
- Allergy-Friendly Options Available: For those with peanut allergies or dietary restrictions, rest assured! The peanut butter in this recipe can be easily substituted with various alternatives. Feel free to use any other nut butter you prefer, such as almond butter or cashew butter. For a nut-free option, sun butter (made from sunflower seeds) or wow butter are excellent choices. You can even experiment with spreads like Biscoff or Nutella for a unique flavor profile, ensuring everyone can enjoy these delightful bars.
- Customizable to Your Taste: These bars offer a fantastic canvas for your creativity. Whether you want to adjust the chocolate ratio, add different mix-ins, or explore various nut butter alternatives, this recipe is incredibly forgiving and open to personalization.
- A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: With their rich chocolate flavor, satisfying crunch from the rice cereal, and soft, chewy marshmallows, these bars appeal to almost everyone. They are perfect for sharing at gatherings, holiday events, or as a delightful homemade gift.
Essential Ingredients for Your Chocolate Avalanche Bars
For the exact measurements and a convenient printable version, be sure to scroll down to the full recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chocolate Almond Bark: This provides a stable base and a smooth, meltable consistency, making it ideal for no-bake treats.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: A classic choice that adds a balanced chocolate flavor without being overly sweet.
- German’s Sweet Chocolate Bar: This specific type of chocolate adds a unique, rich sweetness and depth. If unavailable, a dark chocolate with about 50% cacao can be a good substitute to achieve a similar complexity.
- Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter is my preference for its smooth texture that blends seamlessly, but crunchy peanut butter can be used for added texture and a more pronounced nutty flavor.
- Rice Crispy Cereal: Essential for that characteristic light, airy crunch that defines avalanche treats.
- Mini Marshmallows: These soft, chewy additions provide a delightful contrast to the chocolate and cereal, adding a touch of sweetness and classic avalanche texture.
Ingredient Notes & Tips:
- Chocolate Choices: The combination of chocolate almond bark, semi-sweet chips, and German’s sweet chocolate creates a multi-layered chocolate experience. The almond bark helps with setting, while the other two add flavor complexity. Feel free to adjust the ratio or types of chocolate to your preference. For a less sweet bar, increase the dark chocolate.
- Peanut Butter Consistency: While creamy peanut butter integrates more smoothly, crunchy peanut butter can add an interesting textural element. Natural peanut butter might separate more, so stir it well before adding.
- Marshmallow Size: Mini marshmallows are best as they melt slightly and distribute evenly. Larger marshmallows can be cut into smaller pieces if desired.
How To Make Your Delicious Chocolate Avalanche Bars
Creating these delightful no-bake bars is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
- Step 1: Prepare Your Pan. Start by lining a 13×9 inch baking pan. Using foil or parchment paper is crucial as it makes removing and serving the bars much easier, preventing them from sticking. Leave an overhang on the sides to create “handles.”
- Step 2: Melt the Chocolate. Combine all three types of chocolate (almond bark, semi-sweet chips, and German’s sweet chocolate bar) in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the chocolate on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate over a double boiler for a more controlled, gentle melting process, ensuring a silky-smooth consistency.
- Step 3: Add Peanut Butter. Once your chocolate mixture is smooth, stir in the peanut butter. Continue stirring until the peanut butter is fully melted and seamlessly incorporated into the chocolate, creating a uniform, glossy mixture.
- Step 4: Mix Together Remaining Ingredients. Now, gently fold in the rice crispy cereal and the mini marshmallows. Stir carefully until all the cereal and marshmallows are well combined and coated in the chocolate-peanut butter mixture. Be careful not to crush the cereal too much.
- Step 5: Pour into Pan and Chill. Pour the entire mixture into your prepared baking pan. Spread it evenly using a spatula or the back of a spoon. Once evenly distributed, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and allow it to set up until firm, typically for at least 1-2 hours. Once firm, use the parchment or foil overhang to lift the slab out of the pan, slice into bars, and get ready to enjoy!
Storing Your Delicious Avalanche Bars
For optimal texture and ease of handling, I highly recommend storing these Chocolate Avalanche Bars in the refrigerator. This keeps them perfectly set and prevents them from becoming too soft, especially in warmer environments. While I prefer to let them sit out for a few minutes before serving to slightly soften them and enhance their flavor, many people enjoy them straight out of the fridge for a firmer, colder bite. It’s truly a matter of personal preference!
Properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these bars will maintain their freshness and deliciousness for up to 1-2 weeks. You can also layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. For longer storage, consider freezing them.
Recipe Tips & Creative Substitutions for Customization
- Navigating Peanut Allergies: If you or someone you’re serving has a peanut allergy, there are numerous fantastic alternatives. You can confidently use any other nut butter like almond butter or cashew butter for a similar consistency and nutty flavor. For a completely nut-free option, sunflower butter (SunButter), WowButter, or even Biscoff/cookie butter spreads work wonderfully. The key is to use a spread with a similar thick consistency to help bind the bars together effectively.
- Exploring Chocolate Variations: The current blend of chocolate (almond bark, semi-sweet, and German’s sweet) offers a delightful balance of sweetness and depth. German’s sweet chocolate, in particular, adds a unique richness that isn’t overwhelmingly sugary. If you lean towards darker chocolate, feel free to adjust! You could skip the almond bark entirely and use a higher proportion of semi-sweet chocolate, or even incorporate more dark chocolate (e.g., 60-70% cacao) for an intensely rich flavor. For a classic white chocolate avalanche bar, substitute all the chocolate with white chocolate almond bark or high-quality white chocolate chips.
- Get Creative with Mix-Ins: Marshmallows and rice crispy cereal are traditional components that provide essential texture and structure to these bars. However, don’t hesitate to experiment with other additions to customize them to your liking.
- Nuts: Chopped peanuts, pecans, walnuts, or almonds can add an extra layer of crunch and flavor. If you use peanuts, you’ll be venturing into delicious rocky road territory!
- Dried Fruit: Dried cranberries, cherries, or raisins can introduce a chewy sweetness and a hint of tartness.
- Pretzels: Crushed pretzels are an excellent addition for a salty-sweet crunch.
- Candies: Mini M&M’s, chopped candy bars, or even sprinkles can add color and extra sweetness, making them perfect for celebrations.
- Crushed Cookies: Oreos or graham crackers can provide another textural dimension and flavor.
- Achieving Perfect Texture: Ensure your chocolate is melted smoothly without any lumps before adding the dry ingredients. Overmixing after adding the cereal and marshmallows can cause them to break down, so fold them in gently until just combined.
- Cutting for Clean Slices: For perfectly neat bars, use a sharp, warm knife. You can warm your knife by running it under hot water and then wiping it dry between each cut. This helps prevent the chocolate from cracking and yields clean edges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I make these Chocolate Avalanche Bars ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! These bars are an excellent make-ahead dessert. You can prepare them a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. In fact, making them ahead allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Q: How long do Chocolate Avalanche Bars last?
A: When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these bars will stay fresh and delicious for about 1 to 2 weeks. Beyond that, the cereal might start to lose some of its crispness, though they’ll still be edible.
Q: Can I freeze these bars?
A: Yes, these bars freeze beautifully! Once firm, slice them into individual portions. Place them in an airtight freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator for a few hours or at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Q: What if my chocolate seizes when melting?
A: Chocolate seizes when it comes into contact with even a tiny amount of water or when it’s overheated. To prevent this, ensure your bowl and utensils are completely dry. If using a microwave, stick to 50% power and short intervals, stirring frequently. If it does seize, sometimes you can salvage it by stirring in a tablespoon or two of vegetable oil or melted coconut oil until smooth, but it may affect the final texture slightly.
Serving Suggestions for Your Avalanche Bars
These Chocolate Avalanche Bars are a delightful stand-alone treat, perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth. However, they can also be part of a larger dessert spread. Serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra indulgent experience, or pair them with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. They are also fantastic for packing into lunchboxes or as a quick energy boost during the day.
More Easy Dessert Recipes to Enjoy
- S’mores Cookie Bars
- Lemon Bars
- Snicker Salad
- Oven S’mores
- Brownie Batter Dip
- Biscoff Rice Krispie Treats
Chocolate Avalanche Bars
Erin Sellin
15 minutes
15 minutes
24
Rate Recipe
Print Recipe
Video
Equipment
-
13×9 Baking Dish
-
GIR Spatula
-
Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
-
1 pound chocolate-flavored candy coating, almond bark -
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips -
4 oz German’s sweet chocolate bar, or dark chocolate, about 50% cacao -
1 jar, 16 oz peanut butter -
3 cups rice crispy cereal -
3 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
-
Line a 13×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, ensuring an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Set aside.
-
Combine the chocolate-flavored candy coating (almond bark), semi-sweet chocolate chips, and German’s sweet chocolate bar (or dark chocolate) in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat on 50% power for 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Alternatively, melt over a double boiler.
-
Stir in the peanut butter until it is fully melted and smoothly combined with the chocolate mixture.
-
Gently mix in the rice crispy cereal and mini marshmallows until they are well coated by the chocolate-peanut butter mixture. Be careful not to crush the cereal.
-
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Place the pan in the refrigerator and allow it to set up until firm, which typically takes 1-2 hours. Once firm, lift the slab out of the pan using the overhang, slice into desired bar sizes, and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Nutrition
Calories: 261kcal |
Carbohydrates: 36g |
Protein: 4g |
Fat: 13g |
Saturated Fat: 7g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g |
Cholesterol: 6mg |
Sodium: 38mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 25g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
15 minutes
15 minutes
Dessert Recipes
American
24
261
Avalanche Bars, Chocolate, No-Bake, Peanut Butter, Marshmallow
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!
I’ve created a fun group on Facebook, and I would absolutely love for you to join us! It’s a vibrant community where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and stay updated on all the new delicious content from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so you never miss a new recipe)!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS recipes YOU make!
Stay connected and follow me on my social media channels, so you never miss a post or a new recipe!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
**This post contains affiliate links. While I may have received a copy of a book for review in the past, all thoughts and opinions expressed in my content are 100% my own. These links help support my blog at no extra cost to you.