It’s that time again - Chocolate Peanut Butter Time!!!
Who’s Ready?!
The idea for this recipe came from me wanting to make a big o’ slice of those sticky crispy squares, know what I mean? Yeah those!
But I thought hey, let’s get creative here and change it up a little. I also had chocolate bark on my mind (I’m quite the choc-o-holic, which you probably already are aware of that). So somehow the thickness of a bark and a crispy bar combo was born. Make the usual sticky crispy slice but a smaller quantity so it creates a thinner base (like a bark), pretty fancy hey?
You also have to add a layer chocolate of course! Not too thin and not too thick makes for the perfect ‘bark’.
This 6-ingredient crispy bark is sure to be a winner with you, your family and friends! It’s going to be absolutely perfect for weekly snacks or a special after dinner treat, those are the best, hehe. How will you enjoy this slice?
Not to mention it’s gluten free, egg free and if you want it 100% vegan, simply use dairy free/vegan dark chocolate - which you can readily find from your local health food stores or even some supermarkets are starting to stock it in their health food aisles. PS. If they call 1 aisle the health food aisle, what is the rest of the food in the supermarket…..
I’ll just leave you with that thought 😉
Chocolate + Peanut Butter Crisp Bark
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
- Base
- ½ cup crunchy or smooth peanut butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil
- ½ cup desiccated coconut
- 1 cup rice puffs
- Topping
- 170g dark chocolate chips/melts, I use Organic Times Dark Chocolate Drops
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Line a 9” x 12“ rectangle baking pan with parchment paper, set aside.
- In a medium sized pot over low-medium heat, add peanut butter, maple syrup and coconut oil, mix to combine.
- Gently heat mixture until peanut butter has completely melted down and the mixture is smooth and shiny.
- Remove from heat and stir through desiccated coconut.
- Gradually add rice puffs, mixing well after each addition.
- Pour mixture into lined baking pan and place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes until set.
- Whilst the base is setting, melt chocolate.
- Half fill a small pot with water and put over a medium heat.
- Place a medium-large heat proof bowl over the pot.
- Add chocolate and coconut oil into the bowl and gently melt it down, stirring occasionally until completely melted and smooth.
- Remove chocolate from heat.
- Remove base from refrigerator and carefully pour chocolate over the top. Move the pan around to get an even layer of the chocolate or use a spatula.
- Refrigerate for a further 1-2 hours or until chocolate is set and hardened.
- Lift out from pan and slice into long bark pieces or slices/squares.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, for 1 week - 10 days.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Bark, Slice, Snack, Gluten Free, Vegetarian/Vegan
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Does it freeze well?
Samantha says
Hi Vanessa, thanks, it's so delicious! You can certainly freeze this bark however, because it has the chocolate topping it can bloom. Meaning, when you freeze chocolate, it can get that white coating on the surface along with condensation. If you would like to freeze it, i'd recommend doing it slowly. Start off by cooling it down in the refrigerator until chilled. Then wrap it (or slice it up) and wrap tightly in cling film. Then place in an airtight container and then transfer it into the freezer. Then when you would like to defrost, remove from the freezer and place the container in the refrigerator until defrosted. Hopefully this reduces the amount of bloom that can happen with the chocolate topping. Hope that helps!
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What a great way to enjoy a treat while sticking to the good stuff!
Samantha says
Hi Suzanne, thanks so much! It's absolutely yummy this bark. You're so right, it's a wonderful and healthier way to enjoy a sweet treat. Hope you give it a try 🙂
Natalie says
WOW WOW WOW WOWWW
This amazing! The best sweet I’ve had in a very long time! My entire family loves it. So easy to make and very delicious! I made it with all organic ingredients so i call it health food haha 🙂
For a change up what could you use instead of peanut butter? Say if you wanted a peppermint slice ?
Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe I will be making it often. xx
Samantha says
Hi Natalie! THANK YOU!! I'm so happy to hear that! This is also one of my very favourite sweet treat recipes, so simple and tasty! Fantastic that your entire family is also enjoying it! Oh definitely! Using organic ingredients is even better and I agree with you on that point 😉
You can switch the peanut butter with almond butter, which will provide a more subtle flavour. You can also use cashew butter. If you're wanting to create a peppermint flavour (what a great idea!) I'd suggest using either almond or cashew butter, as the base still needs this element for it to stick together. Using either almond or cashew nut butter, their flavour isn't as prominent as peanut butter. You can add drops of peppermint oil to the base to create your peppermint flavour, how ever much you desire, taste test as you go! I hope that helps, enjoy! xx
Jess @choosingchia says
These bars look SO good! Also can't stop staring at how smooth that chocolate looks on top!
Samantha says
Thanks so much Jess! The chocolate is the best part 😉