Deluxe Chocolate Marshmallow Bars

I have had my eye on these ever since I saw them in Jaime’s blog, Good Eats ‘n Sweet Treats a couple months ago. I love the chocolate and peanut butter combination, and when you add in marshmallows and a cake-like layer, how could you go wrong? These were so delicious and very easy to put together. I loved all of the chocolate ooey-gooey goodness! I brought them to our church group tonight and everyone liked them. It’s a great go-to dessert when you need to make something for a group of people. I will definitely be making these again. Thanks Jaime for posting such a great recipe!

3/4 cup butter
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/3 cups all purpose flour
3 tablespoons baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional (I omitted these)
4 cups miniature marshmallows

Topping:
1-1/3 cup chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups crisp rice cereal

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until fluffy. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts if desired. Spread in a greased 15 x 10 x 1″ pan. (I used a 9×13-inch pan)

Bake at 350F for 15-18 minutes. Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over cake; return to oven for 2-3 minutes. Using a knife dipped in water, spread the melted marshmallows evenly over cake. Cool.

For topping, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and well blended. Remove from heat; stir in cereal. Immediately spread over bars. Chill.

Yield: 3 dozen