Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats with Reese’s Chunks
These peanut butter rice krispie treats were one of those “use what I have and hope for the best” desserts, and they ended up being one of the first things to disappear from the table. They’re thick, soft, a little gooey in the center, and packed with peanut butter flavor plus big chunks of chocolate peanut butter candy folded in at the end.
I like making these as large square cubes instead of thin bars. They feel more like a bakery dessert, more giftable, and honestly more dramatic on a dessert table. Not neat. Not perfect. Just really, really good.
If you’re hosting, bringing a dessert to a party, or building a themed dessert spread, these are easy, fast, and very forgiving.
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups crispy rice cereal
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 package 10 oz mini marshmallows (plus 1 extra cup reserved)
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1-1 1/2 cups Reese’s chunks or chopped peanut butter cups
- Optional add-ins:
- drizzle of melted chocolate on top
- flaky salt finish
- extra candy pressed on top
Instructions
Prep you pan:
- Line a 9×9 or 9×13 pan with parchment and lightly grease it.
- (I like parchment here because you can lift the whole slab out cleanly — especially helpful when cutting big cubes.)
On the stove:
- In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
- Add the marshmallows and stir until mostly melted and smooth.
- Add peanut butter
- Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla, and salt until fully combined and glossy.
- Remove from heat and quickly stir in the crispy rice cereal until coated.
- Add extra marshmallows + candy
- Let the mixture cool for about 2–3 minutes (so the candy doesn’t melt).
- Fold in: reserved marshmallows or Reese's chunks
Into the pan:
- Transfer to your prepared pan and gently press down. Don’t pack it too tight or the treats turn dense instead of soft. Lightly greased hands or a buttered spatula help a lot here.
Set and slice!
- Let sit at room temp 30–60 minutes.
- Lift out and cut into large square cubes.
Tips for Thick, Soft Rice Krispie Treat Cubes
If you want that bakery-style look and texture instead of flat bars:
Baking essentials:
Flavor Variations You Can Try
Once you make these once, it’s very easy to adjust them.
Easy swaps:
You can also half-dip the cubes in melted chocolate if you want them to feel more like a candy-shop dessert.
Make-Ahead + Storage
These peanut butter rice krispie treats with Reese’s keep well, which makes them great for hosting and gifting.
If stacking for a gift box or dessert tray, separate layers with parchment squares.
Perfect for Dessert Tables & Party Spreads
These work especially well when you need:
They’re simple, nostalgic, and always one of the first empty spots on the tray…which is usually the best review you can get!
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How do you like your Krispie treats? Let me know!
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