Chocolate-Peanut Butter Squares

Ingredients:

• 3 cups popped plain popcorn
• 2 cups crisp rice cereal
• 2 cups circle oat cereal
• 1/3 cup unsalted peanuts, chopped
• 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 (7 1/2-oz.) jar marshmallow crème
• 1/4 cup creamy or chunky natural peanut butter
• 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Makes 24 Servings (1 square per serving)

1. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with foil, allowing the foil to extend over the rim of the pan by 2 inches. Spray with nonstick spray.
2. Combine the popcorn, rice cereal, oat cereal, and peanuts in a very large bowl.
3. Put the butter and chocolate in a large skillet set over low heat. Cook, stirring, until melted, 1-2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat; add the marshmallow crème, peanut butter, cocoa powder, and vanilla. Return the skillet to the heat and cook, stirring, until well blended and hot, 2-3 minutes.
4. Scrape the marshmallow mixture on top of the cereal mixture. With a rubber spatula, stir vigorously until the cereal mixture is evenly coated. Scrape into the baking pan. Spray your hands with nonstick spray; press down firmly on the mixture to form an even layer; let cool completely. Lift from the pan using the foil as handles. With a serrated knife lightly sprayed with nonstick spray, cut into 24 squares.

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Don't be intimidated by the number of ingredients in these sweet treats. I like to think of these treats as a sophisticated take on Rice Krispie Treats or a nutty cereal crumble. If these squares don't turn out as the squares as planned, use these treats as a crumble in yogurt or on top of ice cream for a flavorful crunch.

Brown Rice Crispy Bars

Ingredients:until

• 2 tbsp. almond or peanut butter
• 3 cups mini marshmallows (about half of 10 oz. bag)
• 2 cups puffed brown rice cereal
• 1 cup whole-grain cereal flakes
• 2 tbsp. mini semisweet or dark chocolate chips

Makes 16 bars (1 square per serving)

1. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray.
2. Put almond butter in a large saucepan and cook, stirring, over medium-low heat until softened, about 30 seconds. Add marshmallows and cook, stirring, until somewhat melted but still lumpy, about 2 minutes.
3. Spray rubber spatula with nonstick spray. Remove saucepan from heat and immediately use rubber spatula to stir in rice cereal, whole grain cereal, and chocolate chips until combined well.
4. Scrape marshmallow mixture into prepared baking pan, pressing down with rubber spatula to form even layer. Refrigerate until bars are firm, about 30 minutes. With sharp knife with nonstick spray, cut into 16 squares.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. If you love peanut butter, chocolate, marshmallows, this sweet treat is for you. These sweet treats are a sophisticated version of Rice Krispie Treats. The peanut or almond butter give a nice touch to these treats and make them rich and creamy. I highly recommend using dark chocolate chips in this recipe because dark chocolate has a richer taste to it. One bite of this treat and you'll be hooked.