Deluxe Chocolate Marshmallow Bars
Taste of Home
I'd have to say that I've been asked to share this chocolaty layered her recipe more than any other in my collection. It's a longtime favorite of our three daughters. How many times we've all made these, I can't count.
Esther Shank, Harrisonville, Virginia
SERVINGS: 36
CATEGORY: Dessert

METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 20 min. + chilling
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
- 1-1/2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional
- 4 cups miniature marshmallows
- TOPPING:
- 1-1/3 cups (8 ounces) chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 cups crisp rice cereal
Directions:
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa; add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts if desired. Spread in a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. pan. Bake at 350° for 15 to 18 minutes. Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over cake; return to oven for 2 to 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. Spread over bars immediately. Chill. Yield: about 3 dozen.