Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Brownie Bars

These bars have perhaps the longest title ever, but it pretty much describes everything that's in them: a brownie base, peanuts and PB cups in the middle, and a chocolate-peanut butter-Rice Krispie topping. They're still somewhat a work in progress, but absolutely delicious even if not completely beautiful.

Ingredients:

- 1 package fudge brownie mix (sized for a 13x9-inch pan) and oil, eggs, etc. as needed to prepare the brownies

- 12 large peanut butter cups, chopped
- 1/2 cup salted peanuts, chopped

- 2 cups (12 oz) chocolate chips
- 1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9-inch pan.

Prepare brownie batter according to package directions. Spread into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs.

Sprinkle with chopped peanut butter cups and peanuts. Bake 4-6 minutes longer or until chocolate is melted. Cool on a wire rack.

In the microwave or on the stove, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Stir until smooth. Stir in the cereal, vanilla, and salt. Spread carefully over brownies.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting.