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Give me a bowl and an infinite supply of milk, and I’ll happily polish off an insane amount of cereal, but sometimes cereal gets stuck in the same old same old trap. Yet people should know that cereal can be tasty and can live another life beyond the bowl and splash of cold milk. Peanut Butter Crunch Bars are your case and point. Here, cereal gets a renewed chance at life in the form of a bar topping, ruling both morning time and dessert time.
Peanut Butter Crunch Bars are a play of textures and flavors. A base of homemade brownie gets covered with a peanut butter ganache studded with crunchy peanut butter cereal pieces. A smooth coating of peanut butter frosting tops it, for a peanut butter overload, if there’s such a thing (there’s not)!
To make these bars, start off with the brownie base. This cocoa-based brownie is a quick one-bowl recipe that comes together in a flash. If you’re even more pinched for time, you can use a brownie mix for the bar base.
Next comes the best part — the crunch topping. The trio of peanut butter chips, peanut butter, and heavy creamy melt together to become a delightful golden elixir of peanut butter greatness. You then fold in the square-shaped peanut butter cereal pieces until completely coated. Pour this mixture on top of the cooled brownie layer.
As the bar is chilling in the refrigerator, go ahead and make the peanut butter frosting. Now you may be wondering, why frosting on top, and to that, I counter — why not? The frosting gives a smooth clean layer on top of the textured cereal layer, polishing off the bar with a sleek appearance and adds to the peanut butter overload. The frosting is a simple blend of peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar. Spread on top of the bars, the frosting gives this dessert a clean and neat appearance.
Sliced into small squares, you have yourself a delight. You may think the pan looks small, but these Peanut Butter Crunch Bars pack a punch of indulgence. The brownie bar contrasts just against the double-layered peanut butter threat above.
This bar’s crunch layer has a phenomenal texture, almost like a candy fudge-texture, but with an airy, crispy crunch sprinkled throughout.
The frosting on top is a velvety, creamy finish to the textural delight of a bite. Cut these into small squares for a party or event, or freeze large squares to defrost at a craving’s notice. These Peanut Butter Crunch Bars have you covered for a peanut buttery explosion of flavor.
Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
For the Brownie Layer:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For The Crunchy Cereal Layer:
- 14 oz peanut butter chips
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 cup peanut butter puff cereal
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
To Make The Brownie Layer:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8 baking dish with baking spray and line with parchment paper, set aside.
- Whisk flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a small bowl set aside.
- In a large bowl combine butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Slowly whisk the dry into the wet.
- Pour batter into prepared pan, baking until a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean with a few wet crumbs, about 18 to 20 minutes. Cool completely.
To Make The Crunchy Cereal Layer:
- In a bowl combine peanut butter chips, peanut butter, and heavy cream. Melt in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring to combine after each 30-second interval.
- Once melted, fold in peanut butter cereal. Spread onto brownies and refrigerate.
To Make The Frosting Layer:
- Beat peanut butter and butter until smooth and lump-free. Scrape bowl as needed.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar.
- Spread frosting over cereal layer. Refrigerate until hardened. Pull the parchment paper out of the baking dish and cut into squares and enjoy.
Recipe adapted from Sweetest Menu.