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Easy Peanut Butter Rocky Road Bars Recipe

Easy Peanut Butter Rocky Road Bars

A peanut butter cookie bar topped with softened miniature marshmallows, smooth chocolate-peanut butter topping, and chopped peanuts. This easy dessert makes approximately 24–36 bars, depending on how generously they are cut.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Base
  • 1 17.5-ounce pouch Peanut butter cookie mix
  • 1/2 cup Butter or margarine, softened
  • 1 egg Large egg
Rocky Road Topping
  • 3 cups Miniature marshmallows
  • 1 cup Semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup Creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup Chopped peanuts

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper and leave an overhang on two sides.
  2. Stir the peanut butter cookie mix, softened butter or margarine, and egg together until a soft dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
  3. Bake the cookie base for 15–18 minutes, until the center is set and the edges are lightly browned. Remove it from the oven before the base becomes dry or deeply browned.
  4. Immediately scatter the miniature marshmallows over the hot cookie base. Return the pan to the oven for about 2 minutes, just until the marshmallows begin to soften without becoming deeply browned.
  5. Melt the chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter together in a microwave using 20–30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, or melt them in a bowl over gently simmering water. Stir until completely smooth.
  6. Spread the warm chocolate-peanut-butter mixture over the softened marshmallows. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts over the top while the coating is still fluid.
  7. Cool the bars completely for about 1 hour before cutting. For especially clean slices, chill the cooled bars briefly and use a sharp knife lightly coated with cooking spray.

Notes

Line the pan with parchment for easier removal. Spread the topping while warm so it does not pull up the marshmallows. Store covered once fully set; salted roasted peanuts and milk chocolate chips may be used as variations.