Photo: CC/timlewisnm Here is a fancy twist to the ever popular rice crispy treats. Using gluten-free ingredients, and adding in some chocolate and peanut butter, this is a dessert that you will have to hide from gluten eaters. Sure to be a hit, these chocolatey peanut-butter crispy rice treats are a yummy snack that you can add to your kids lunches,  take on an outing or freeze for a later date.

Chocolatey Peanut-Butter Crispy Rice Treats (Gluten-Free)

Ingredients:

• 3 Tablespoons butter or butter substitute
• 1 (10 oz) bag gluten-free marshmallows
• 1/2 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
• 1/5 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup gluten-free peanut butter
• 5 cups gluten free crispy rice cereal
• 1 cup gluten-free chocolate chips (optional)

1. Grease an 8×8 square glass pan.
2. Melt the butter in a large pan or dutch oven over low heat. Add the marshmallows, vanilla, salt and peanut butter, stirring constantly until melted and smooth; this takes several minutes.
3. Remove from heat and add cereal, stirring until well mixed. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and press it into the pan with a greased spatula (or you can place a piece of waxed paper over it and press down).
4. If you want to add a chocolate coating on top of your crispy rice treats, place chocolate chips in small, microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals until melted; stirring as needed.
5. Spread melted chocolate over the bars and allow to set completely, about 2 hours at room temperature ( you can also place them in the refrigerator or freezer to speed up this process).
6. Cut bars into squares and serve.

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