Aunt Patty’s 4-Ingredient Picnic Treats: The Easy Dessert Everyone Fights Over

Equipment

• 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Medium mixing bowl
• Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups
• Sharp knife
• Small offset spatula or spoon

Ingredients

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter – Helps hold everything together and adds rich flavor.
• 1/2 cup honey – Provides sweetness and helps bind the cereal.
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – Creates the delicious chocolate topping.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the pan

1. Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Leave some parchment hanging over the sides. This will make it much easier to lift the treats out once they’re firm.
3. Set the pan aside.

Step 2: Warm the peanut butter and honey

1. Add the peanut butter and honey to a small saucepan.
2. Warm over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes smooth and easy to stir.
3. You don’t need to boil it. Just warm it enough to combine.
4. Alternatively, place the peanut butter and honey in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in short 15-second intervals, stirring between each one.

Step 3: Add the crispy rice cereal

1. Place the crispy rice cereal in a large mixing bowl.
2. Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the cereal.
3. Use a spatula to gently fold everything together until the cereal is evenly coated.
4. Try not to crush the cereal too much. Those little crispy pieces are what give the squares their wonderful texture.

Step 4: Press the mixture into the pan

1. Transfer the cereal mixture into the prepared baking pan.
2. Spread it evenly, then press it down gently with the back of a spatula.
3. You want the mixture compact enough to hold together, but don’t press so hard that you crush all the cereal.
4. Pay attention to the corners so the squares have an even thickness.

Step 5: Melt the chocolate

1. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate is almost completely melted.
3. Continue stirring until smooth.
4. You can also melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water.

Step 6: Add the chocolate topping

1. Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal mixture.
2. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it evenly from edge to edge.
3. If you’d like, gently tap the pan on the counter to help the chocolate settle into a smooth layer.

Step 7: Chill until firm

1. Place the pan in the refrigerator for about 1–2 hours , or until the chocolate topping and cereal mixture are firm enough to cut.
2. If you’re short on time, you can place the pan in the freezer for approximately 20–30 minutes, checking that the center has set.

Step 8: Slice into squares

1. Use the parchment overhang to lift the chilled slab from the pan.
2. Place it on a cutting board.
3. For cleaner slices, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cutting with a sharp knife.
4. Cut into 16–20 squares, depending on the size you prefer.
5. And there they are!
6. A whole pan of crunchy, chocolatey treats made with just four ingredients.

Nutrition

Calories: 175 · Protein: 4 g · Fat: 10 g · Carbohydrates: 19 g · Saturated Fat: 3 g · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 12 g · Sodium: 85 mg