Irresistible Reese’s Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats: Your Ultimate No-Bake Delight
Discover how to make the easiest and most delicious Reese’s Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats, featuring creamy Reese’s peanut butter spread, rich chocolate drizzle, and generous toppings of peanut butter cups. A perfect no-bake dessert for any occasion!
The rhythm of life often shifts with the seasons. Just recently, my son embarked on his first “real” day of middle school. His initial visit, a transition day for 6th graders, was filled with games and getting to know his new classmates – a delightful welcome that really built up his excitement. It was less about academics and more about easing into the new environment, allowing the kids to familiarize themselves with the sprawling building.
Today, however, marked the true beginning, with the entire school bustling with 7th and 8th graders, and the real challenge of navigating from class to class. It’s a huge step for any child, moving from the familiar comfort of elementary school to a more independent setting. Watching him embrace these changes, while exciting, also made me reflect on the simple comforts that make a house a home – like a batch of incredibly easy, utterly delicious no-bake treats waiting after a long day.
There’s a flavor combination that reigns supreme in my kitchen, a duo that consistently captures hearts and taste buds: chocolate and peanut butter. It’s a pairing so iconic, so perfectly balanced between sweet and salty, that it transcends mere preference and enters the realm of pure culinary obsession. As a dessert enthusiast, I firmly believe it’s one of the best pairings imaginable, bringing together the richness of chocolate with the creamy, nutty depth of peanut butter in a symphony of flavors.
With this unwavering love for chocolate and peanut butter, and my fondness for easy-to-make desserts like these Biscoff Rice Krispie Treats, I was inspired to create an over-the-top, peanut-butter-centric version that truly celebrates this classic combination. The secret ingredient that elevates these treats to a whole new level of indulgence is Reese’s peanut butter chocolate spread. You can typically find this delectable spread right alongside the regular peanut butter varieties in your local grocery store, and it’s an absolute game-changer for these Krispie treats.
If you’re as obsessed as I am, you might also enjoy these chocolate peanut butter cup cookies, which utilize the same versatile spread. Consider picking up two jars while you’re at the store – one for the Rice Krispie treats and one for the cookies. Trust me, your future self will thank you for this foresight! For the topping of these particular treats, I opted for a delicate drizzle of melted chocolate, rather than a full, thick layer. This allows the generous scattering of peanut butter cups to truly shine, creating a delightful texture and an extra burst of that beloved flavor. It’s all about balance and maximizing that irresistible Reese’s experience.
Crafting the Perfect No-Bake Delight: A Recipe for Sweet Success
One of the many beauties of Rice Krispie treats is their incredible speed and simplicity. You can have a batch ready in about 5 minutes of active prep time, making them an ideal choice for last-minute cravings or busy schedules. The addition of the Reese’s peanut butter chocolate spread doesn’t complicate the process at all; in fact, it seamlessly integrates into the traditional method, adding an explosion of flavor with minimal extra effort.
The process begins by combining the butter, marshmallows, and that wonderful jar of Reese’s spread in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Melting these ingredients together ensures a smooth, homogeneous base for your treats. Heating them in 45-second intervals, with a good stir in between, prevents scorching and ensures everything melts into a perfectly gooey mixture. This creamy foundation is what gives these treats their distinctive, rich peanut butter chocolate flavor throughout every bite. Once melted and combined, you simply stir in the Rice Krispies cereal, just as you would with a classic recipe, until every crisp is evenly coated in the sweet, sticky blend.
The only truly “extra” step here is the topping, but it is undeniably worth every bit of effort. While you could easily melt more chocolate and spread a complete layer over the entire pan (I’d recommend doubling the chocolate specified in the recipe if you choose this route for a thicker layer), I personally decided a drizzle was sufficient. My initial thought was to avoid “too much chocolate,” which, upon reflection, sounds absurd because there’s truly no such thing as too much chocolate! However, the drizzle serves a dual purpose: it adds a beautiful aesthetic touch and acts as a delicious “glue” to hold those delightful chopped peanut butter cups firmly in place. Regardless of whether you opt for a drizzle or a full coating, these Reese’s Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are guaranteed to vanish quickly – they’re simply too good to resist!
Tips for Making the Best Reese’s Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Prepare Your Pan Properly: Always line your 13×9 inch baking dish with foil or parchment paper and spray it generously with non-stick cooking spray. This makes pressing the mixture into the pan much easier and ensures that your treats lift out cleanly for cutting.
- Melt Slowly and Stir Often: When melting the butter, marshmallows, and Reese’s spread, use a microwave at 45-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval. This prevents the mixture from overheating, which can result in hard, unchewable treats. A stovetop on low heat works just as well.
- Don’t Over-Pack: When pressing the cereal mixture into the pan, be firm but gentle. Over-compressing the treats will make them dense and hard instead of delightfully chewy. Lightly grease your hands or a spatula with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Even Coating is Key: Ensure every single Rice Krispie is coated in the marshmallow and peanut butter mixture. This guarantees consistent flavor and texture throughout your batch.
- Setting Time is Essential: Allow the chocolate drizzle to set completely before cutting. This will give you clean, beautiful squares and ensure the peanut butter cups stay firmly attached. You can speed up this process by refrigerating the treats for about 15-20 minutes.
- Storage: Store your finished Reese’s Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. While they rarely last that long, proper storage keeps them fresh and chewy.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 10 oz bag large marshmallows
- 1 jar Reese’s peanut butter chocolate spread
- 7 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Topping
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips melted
- 1 1/2 cups chopped peanut butter cups, (about one full bag of mini’s)
Instructions
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Line a 13×9 inch baking dish with foil or parchment paper, ensuring some overhang on the sides for easy removal, and generously spray with non-stick cooking spray. This will prevent sticking and make cutting much simpler later.
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In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, large marshmallows, and the entire jar of Reese’s peanut butter chocolate spread. Microwave for 45 seconds at a time, stirring thoroughly in between each interval, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. This typically takes 2-3 minutes in total.
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Add the 7 cups of Rice Krispies cereal to the melted mixture. Stir quickly and thoroughly until all the cereal is evenly coated with the rich peanut butter and marshmallow blend. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and press firmly but gently into an even layer using a greased spatula or your hands. Avoid over-compressing to keep the treats chewy.
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Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips (either in the microwave or a double boiler) until smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate evenly over the top of the pressed Rice Krispie treats. Immediately sprinkle the chopped peanut butter cups over the chocolate, pressing them gently to ensure they adhere to the chocolate.
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Allow the chocolate topping to set completely at room temperature for about 1 hour, or you can place the pan in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to speed up the setting process. Once set, use the foil overhang to lift the entire slab out of the dish.
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Cut the treats into squares of your desired size. Store any leftover Reese’s Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days to maintain their freshness and perfect chewy texture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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Even more recipes you might like to explore:
- The Ultimate Reese’s Cupcakes from The First Year
- Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Bars from The Gunny Sack
- Peanut Butter Cup Gooey Bars from Crazy For Crust
- The Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookies from The Domestic Rebel
These no-bake Reese’s Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are more than just a dessert; they’re a quick fix for cravings, a delightful treat for family gatherings, or a sweet reward after a long day. Their ease of preparation combined with their irresistible flavor profile makes them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. So, next time you’re looking for a simple yet spectacular dessert, grab that jar of Reese’s spread and whip up a batch. You won’t regret it!