Brown crisp rice cereal is combined with peanut butter and honey to create a clean version of a Rice Krispie treat. Topped with dark chocolate because chocolate and peanut butter are perfection together. Dairy-free; Gluten-free, Vegan.
It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!! That is a quote from Alexander, in one of my family’s absolute favorite children’s book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Voist.
And can you blame the poor kid? All Alexander had for breakfast was boring old breakfast cereal. And at lunch, his mom forgot a dessert. Can you believe that? Alexander certainly could not. These were the types of things that ruined his day.
Well, we were not going to let boring old breakfast cereal ruin our day at my house! We were going to take that boring breakfast cereal and turn it into something fabulous, something wonderful…something that would put a smile on ANY kid’s face when they opened their lunchbox and found this treat waiting for them–even, Alexander.
Just look at that boring old breakfast cereal!
After reading our favorite book one day and talking about how the rain outside ruined our plans for the day….I thought about a way to turn the story into a lesson. We had a choice to make. We could see the glass as half empty as Alexander does OR we could do something to enjoy the rainy day inside. What better thing, then a sweet treat to lift everyone’s mood? And wouldn’t you know it, I had some boring old breakfast cereal that was begging to be transformed into something magical.
So the kids and I got to work. We took some organic brown rice cereal and mixed in some peanut butter (any nut butter works) and honey and then topped with dairy-free dark chocolate. Peanut butter and Chocolate to the rescue!! And it was a “clean,” all natural, gluten-free, dairy free snack to boot! However, I can promise you we were not thinking that these were a healthier version of a Rice Krispie Treat, we were too busy licking our fingers!
Step One: Measure out the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and a pinch of salt and mix well–perfect for little hands.
Step Two: Measure the cereal and pour into the peanut butter mixture–great team work here!
Step Three: Pat down the bars into a greased or parchment or wax paper lined pan. (My son was smart and not only used the measuring cup to pat down the treats, but covered the measuring cup with wax paper–I learn new things from my kids everyday.)
Step Four: Melt some dark chocolate and pour over the bars. Resist until cooled!
Step 4: Allow bars to set up and cut into squares.
Step 5: Enjoy a bar, snuggled up with your kids, reading Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day. 
Step 6: Save a bar or two for your child to open up in their lunchbox–just a special way to make them smile and remind them of the time you spent together. 
Chocolate Peanut Butter "Krispie" Treats
Ingredients
- 1 cup all natural peanut butter just peanuts and salt
- 1/2 cup honey maple syrup to keep vegan
- dash of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 cups brown rice crisp cereal
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips or a bar chopped up into small pieces
Instructions
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Cover an 8x8 pan with parchment or wax paper. Set aside.
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Heat honey and peanut butter up for 30 seconds and then stir in vanilla and salt until smooth. Stir in cereal until just coated.
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Pour into prepared pan and gently flatten out.
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Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until chocolate is melted.
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Pour chocolate over cereal mixture and spread out with back of spoon.
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Allow to set up in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
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Remove from fridge and cut into squares.
Grab a book and let your imagination soar and bring the book to life right in your own kitchen!
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Great recipe! I have helpers in my kitchen often. It makes baking fun. (Most of the time!) 🙂
Ha! Yes, MOST of the time it is is fun. 🙂
This looks like a great twist on a childhood (and adulthood) favorite. These look so yummy!
They are awesome Marye 🙂
What a wonderful healthy variation to one of my favorite desserts! Yummy!
Happy to deliver 🙂
I’m definitely going to make these! Such a great idea.
Thanks Monique–you will love them!
I love everything chocolate, so if you add peanut butter and rice crispies, I think this is going to be delicious! I’m going to have to try it. My husband doesn’t like peanut butter though, so maybe I’ll substitute some almond butter or something! http://www.ourfoodieappetite.com/east-beach-farmers-market-norfolk-va/
Almond butter would work great!
Mmmmmm. These treats could turn any day around!
You better believe it!
I love ANYTHING that combines chocolate and peanut butter. It is such a classic combo, and can’t be beat. I love this twist in combining the TWO classics of peanut butter cups and rice krispie treats. Yum!
It is a stellar combo 🙂
Rice Krispy treats are one of my all time favorite treats and I am always looking for new ways to elevate the flavors! Thanks for this great looking recipe!!
It is the best rice krispie treat I have ever had!
These would be my son’s favorite! I love the chocolate on top!
It was a hard treat to share for anyone 🙂
Ooo, what a delicious treat!
It is just that!
you bet!
Chocolate & peanut butter are always a winning combo! P.S. love the book analogy!
Winning combo for sure!!
Dear Kristen, what a fantastic idea to use honey and peanut butter to bind the krispies..I love your variation! These look wonderful. I used to love krispie treats more than my kids…still do! I have to try this next time. xo, Catherine
Trust me Catherine, these will be your new favorite!!!
I could eat a pan of these treats myself!!
One of my all time favorites~
Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
I may be able to eat 2 trays 😉
I’m allergic to peanuts but I bet sunflower seed butter would work with these! They sound delicious!
It would be great with sunflower butter!
Ditto here!!baby D is my constant helper in the kitchen.esp when I am baking or its something with eggs! These sound so good .. I am going to have to try this! Thanks for linking up at #SaucySaturdays
You bet!! My kids beg me to let them crack the eggs as well 🙂
Great way to cut down on the sugar! Love it, Kristen! Thanks for linking up at #SaucySaturdays.
You bet Christine!
Found you through the linkup! These look AMAZING. Must make them! I’m gluten free and would love them as much as my kiddo.
I could have eaten the whole pan myself–you will love these!
Yum! These sound great! Thanks for linking up to the Blogger Brags pinterest party. I have pinned your post to the Blogger Brags pinterest board.
Thank you Sarah!
These bars look super yum! I just wanted to say though; while the honey is easily subbed out, it is not a vegan ingredient. Please consider either amending the recipe, or labelling it vegetarian instead of vegan. Thanks for sharing this fabulous recipe! 🙂
Ksenia–good catch. I updated the recipe to please vegans Enjoy–these are scrumptious!