Rice Krispies 4-Layer Bars

by

Cindy

I've already posted several of my favorite recipes that are made with cereal and they were the Peanut Butter Bars and the Cookies in a Jar.  Cereal adds a crunch that can replace nuts or just add more texture to a recipe.  I love pecans so add them to almost everything, but not everyone likes or can eats nuts.  I love this recipe because it is easy and uses ingredients that are usually found in the pantry.  It has a layer of caramel that is so ooy gooey good.  It is a simple recipe and I had all the ingredients except the caramels.  That was a bit of a challenge.  Caramels are easy to find in the fall but not so after the holidays.  I looked for 15 minutes in the grocery store until I finally found them hidden in the fruit and vegetable section.  It has several layers but didn't take very long to make.  I think they taste great and love the goeyness of them.  

3/4 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg yolk

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups Rice Krispies Cereal, divided

1 bag (14 oz.) vanilla caramels (about 48)

3 T milk

1 pkg (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted

In a large bowl combine butter and brown sugar.  Stir in egg yolk. 

 Stir in flour and 1 cup of the Rice Krispies cereal.  Spread mixture with your fingers into a 9 x 13 inch pan sprayed with non stick spray or line with foil. 

 Bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes or until light brown.

In a medium microwave-safe bowl combine caramels and milk.  Cook, uncovered, at medium power (50%) for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes, until melted and smooth.

Spread melted caramel on top of the crust layer.  In a medium microwave-safe bowl place chocolate chips; cook, uncovered, at medium (50%) for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring several times until melted and smooth.  Spread half of the chocolate mixture over caramel layer.  Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cereal and pecans.  Lightly press them into the top. 

Put remaining chocolate into a plastic sandwich baggie and

cut tip off of one of the corners and drizzle remaining melted chocolate evenly over the top.

  Let stand or refrigerate to set.  Cut into squares.

adapted from recipe from http://www.recipe.com/