Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cheerio Bars

Okay, let's face it:  peanut butter and chocolate are a great combination!  I think both these ingredients are contained in most of the desserts I make.  So I wanted to share another family favorite of ours--Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cheerio Bars.  I adapted this recipe from Matt's Aunt Emily's recipe for Rice Krispy Bars.  This was out of the Methodist Church cookbook.  It's rare that I try a church cookbook recipe that isn't a hit.  I mean, who's going to put a bad recipe in there? 

Anyway, these yummy goodies would be great for school lunches, picnics, or upcoming track meets.  (Peanut butter contains protein, right?)  They are quick to make and use mostly pantry staples (for me, at least!)  Here's the recipe:

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cheerio Bars

1 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter, divided
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
6 cups Cheerios
1 cup chocolate chips

Spray a 9 by 13 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Place Cheerios in large mixing bowl. Combine 1 cup peanut butter, corn syrup, and sugar.  Place in microwave-safe bowl and cook on high power for two minutes, stirring after one minute.  (Microwave times may vary, mine is 1000 Watts.  You want the mixture to be a little bubbly.)  Stir into Cheerios and spread into pan.

Combine remaining peanut butter and chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl.  Cook on high power for one minute, stirring after 30 seconds.  Stir until well-blended.  Spread on top of bars.  Refrigerate until chocolate is set.  (Sometimes I pop these in the freezer for a bit to speed the process!)

Looking good already.  To help spread the mixture, you can spray your rubber spatula with non-stick cooking spray.

Time to get this into the fridge so it will be ready to go by suppertime!