Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Irresistible Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars with Multi Grain Cheerios: A Perfect Family Treat!

This article is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of General Mills®. All opinions and text expressed here are entirely my own.

There’s nothing quite like a homemade treat that brings smiles to everyone’s faces. As a busy individual, I’m constantly on the hunt for easy-to-make, delicious recipes for snack bars. Whether it’s to pack in lunchboxes, serve as an after-school pick-me-up, delight guests at sleepovers, or contribute to church potlucks, versatile bar recipes are absolute lifesavers. This particular recipe for Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars has quickly become a household favorite, crafted with wholesome Multi Grain Cheerios and crowned with a luscious chocolate peanut butter ganache. It’s not just a snack; it’s a delightful, chewy indulgence that everyone adores.

Fueling Education with Delicious Snacks: The Box Tops for Education Program

Beyond the joy of creating delicious treats, I also find immense satisfaction in supporting our local schools. That’s why I recently took a major stocking-up trip to Walmart, focusing on all our family’s favorite General Mills products. This time of year is especially rewarding because it’s prime time to collect Box Tops for Education! We meticulously save these little coupons year-round, but finding select items with bonus Box Tops – sometimes five per box! – is like hitting the jackpot. It’s a collective effort, as almost everyone I know saves Box Tops for their children’s or grandchildren’s schools.

The simplicity and impact of the Box Tops program are truly remarkable. Each Box Top is worth $0.10, a seemingly small amount that quickly adds up to significant funds for schools. This money helps purchase essential items that budgets might not otherwise cover. Box Tops for Education™ is one of America’s largest school earnings loyalty programs, with over 80,000 K-8 schools participating nationwide. My own children’s school, for instance, primarily uses the funds they receive from Box Tops to invest in new P.E. equipment, enhancing physical education experiences, and to acquire valuable items for our computer lab, ensuring students have access to modern technology. It’s a tangible way to make a difference, and it all starts with clipping those little rectangles from everyday products.

The Inspiration Behind the Recipe: Multi Grain Cheerios Magic

With an abundance of delicious General Mills cereals on hand from my Box Tops haul, I was inspired to get creative in the kitchen. This past weekend, I decided to experiment specifically with Multi Grain Cheerios. Their wholesome, slightly nutty flavor and satisfying crunch make them an ideal base for a chewy, no-bake bar. I wanted to create something that combined the comforting flavors of peanut butter and chocolate, a classic duo that rarely disappoints. The goal was an easy-to-assemble treat that required minimal effort but delivered maximum flavor and texture. And I must say, the experiment turned out to be a resounding success!

A Taste Sensation: Describing the Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

How would I best describe these Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars? Imagine a homemade version of a chocolate-covered Payday bar, but with an even more delightful chewiness and a richer, more satisfying texture from the Cheerios. They are bursting with creamy peanut butter flavor, perfectly balanced by the sweet, smooth chocolate ganache on top. It’s a combination that’s simply irresistible. What goes better with peanut butter than chocolate, right? This recipe proves that some pairings are truly made in culinary heaven.

The texture is a perfect blend of chewy and slightly crunchy, thanks to the Multi Grain Cheerios that form the base. The ganache adds a decadent finish, creating a multi-layered sensory experience. These bars are incredibly versatile. I’ve already shared some with our lovely neighbors who are moving, knowing a sweet treat can ease the stress of relocation. I also bagged some up for my son, who’s away at college, ensuring he has a taste of home. The rest will be happily snacked on here throughout the week. While I cut them into generous portions for the photographs, you can easily slice them into smaller, fudge-like squares, making them perfect bite-sized “pop-in-your-mouth” treats for any occasion. They’re so good, in fact, that they are definitely earning a spot on my holiday trays this year!

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Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars stacked on a napkin

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Print Recipe

Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

These easy no-bake chewy peanut butter bars, made with wholesome Multi Grain Cheerios, are generously topped with a rich, smooth chocolate peanut butter ganache. Perfect for any snack or dessert!
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Additional Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 12 minutes
Cuisine: dessert/snack
Keyword: Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars, Multi Grain Cheerios, No-Bake, Easy Snack, Box Tops for Education
Servings: 9 x13 baking dish
Calories: 373kcal
Author: Michaela Kenkel
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Ingredients

For the Bars:

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 7 cups Multi Grain Cheerios

For the Ganache:

  • 1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Instructions

  • Generously butter a 9×13 baking dish. Set aside.
  • In a large pan over medium heat, melt together brown sugar and corn syrup until the sugar is completely dissolved. Stir in the creamy peanut butter until well combined and smooth.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and gently stir in the Multi Grain Cheerios until they are fully coated with the peanut butter mixture.
  • Evenly press the mixture into the prepared 9×13 baking dish.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature or chill in the refrigerator to set more quickly.
  • To prepare the ganache, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and cream in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk continuously until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and shiny. Remove from heat and whisk in the remaining creamy peanut butter until the ganache is uniform and glossy.
  • Pour the warm ganache evenly over the cooled peanut butter bars. Let it stand at room temperature for about an hour, or refrigerate for 30 minutes, allowing the ganache to set.
  • Once set, cut into desired bar sizes and enjoy these delightful chewy chocolate peanut butter treats!

Notes

Hint: The cereal mixture can be quite sticky when pressing it into the baking dish. For an easier and cleaner process, lay a sheet of waxed paper over the top of the mixture and then press down firmly with your hands. This technique makes flattening the bars simple and mess-free!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 167mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 41g

Make a Difference Today: Grab Your Bonus Box Tops at Walmart!

I wholeheartedly encourage you to head to Walmart soon and grab your family’s favorite General Mills items, especially those with bonus Box Tops! It’s an incredibly simple yet effective way to contribute to your local community and directly benefit the education of countless students. Imagine the impact your school could make with the extra funds – new books for the library, updated technology, sports equipment, or even funding for field trips. Every single Box Top counts, and together, we can help provide valuable resources for our schools to thrive. What exciting things will your school accomplish with the support of Box Tops for Education?

Thank you for joining me on this delicious journey. I hope these Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars become as beloved in your home as they are in mine, bringing joy and indirectly supporting a wonderful cause!