Crispy Peanut Butter Treats

If you live in a downtown condo and own an extra parking space, it's a common occurrence to be asked to borrow a parking space. From one night for a Preds game to an entire weekend for a visiting friend or family member, I am always more than happy to lend an unused spot.  One day I saw a post on my condo’s Facebook page from Ron, a resident, requesting a parking spot for his mother's upcoming visit.  Unfortunately for him, due to so many downtown events, there weren’t too many free spaces.  Ron's post began with "My mother is an excellent baker and will be happy to share some of her goodies, if someone would let her use their parking spot for the night."  As I had no plans to use any of my parking places, I offered mine and told him it was not necessary to give me baked goods.  I thought nothing more of it.

Well, one morning, as I walked through the lobby, the concierge told me there was a package waiting for me.  Along with several other cakes and cookies, Ron's mother made these addictive, Crispy Peanut Butter Treats.  My next post to the building Facebook page was "The next time Ron offers his mother's baked goods in exchange for a parking space, I suggest you move your car to the Pinnacle building across the street and give him yours."  Thank you, Ron, for getting your mother to share her recipe with me.

Ingredients:

§     2 1/2 cups of peanut butter

§     1/2 cup butter, melted

§     1 teaspoon vanilla

§     2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

§     1/2 cup light brown sugar

§     1 cup Rice Krispies

§     Pinch of salt

§     1 1/2 cups semi sweet or milk chocolate (chips or finely chopped)

§     1 teaspoon shortening

Line a 9” x 13” pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray.  In a medium sized mixing bowl, mix together the peanut butter, melted butter, vanilla, confectioners’ sugar and brown sugar.

When blended, add Rice Krispies.
  

Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
 

Place 1 cup of the chopped chocolate into a medium sized microwave safe bowl.  Microwave on high for 30 seconds.  Remove and stir.  If chocolate is not thoroughly melted, microwave for another 20 seconds.  Repeat if necessary but do not overheat the chocolate.  Remove from the microwave and add the remaining 1/2 cup of room temperature chocolate to temper and cool the mixture. Add 1 teaspoon of shortening so the chocolate remains softer after it cools.

Spread the chocolate evenly over the peanut butter mixture.  Refrigerate for about 30 minutes before scoring the chocolate to make squares.
 

Let harden completely before serving.

I store these treats and prefer to eat them directly from the refrigerator.  For a printer friendly copy of this recipe, go to Crispy Peanut Butter Treats.  Enjoy!