Salted Peanut Chews are a delightful, crunchy, and chewy dessert bar that perfectly balances sweet and salty flavors. With a base made of a soft, buttery crust, a gooey marshmallow layer, and a topping of crispy salted peanuts mixed with a rich peanut butter mixture, these bars are a crowd-pleaser. The combination of textures—from the soft marshmallow center to the crunchy peanut topping—makes these bars a unique treat. Perfect for bake sales, parties, or an indulgent snack, Salted Peanut Chews will satisfy any peanut lover’s cravings.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the topping:
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups salted peanuts
- 2 cups crispy rice cereal
- 1 cup peanut butter chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Make the crust: In a medium bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, softened butter, and salt until crumbly. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Add the marshmallows: Immediately sprinkle the mini marshmallows over the hot crust. Return the pan to the oven for 2-3 minutes, just until the marshmallows begin to puff up and melt slightly. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Prepare the topping: In a medium saucepan, combine the corn syrup, butter, and peanut butter chips over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and melted. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the peanuts and cereal: Stir the salted peanuts and crispy rice cereal into the peanut butter mixture until well-coated.
- Assemble the bars: Carefully spoon the peanut mixture over the marshmallow layer, pressing it down gently to form an even layer.
- Cool and cut: Allow the Salted Peanut Chews to cool completely before cutting into bars.
These Salted Peanut Chews combine sweet, salty, and crunchy elements in every bite, making them an irresistible treat that’s perfect for any occasion!
