Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Candy Bars Recipe

Every Christmas my mom makes hundreds of chocolate peanut butter crispy candies to share with friends, neighbors and anyone who crossed her path that year. It’s become a holiday tradition—small, thoughtful treats that brighten the season for grocery clerks, mail carriers, volunteers and family alike.

These no-bake Cocoa Krispies treats are a crowd favorite and are extremely simple to prepare. They’re perfect for involving kids, too: just chocolate cereal, melted chocolate and peanut butter chips, then spooned into mini cups and topped with sprinkles. Once you try them, they’ll likely become a regular part of your holiday baking.

They work wonderfully as small gifts to hand out during the season and are also ideal to set out at parties or potlucks. Make a big batch and you’ll have easy, delicious treats ready to go whenever you need a festive snack or a thoughtful present.

What You’ll Need

MAKES: About Five Dozen Candies

4 cups chocolate crispies cereal (like Cocoa Krispies)
1 (11 oz) bag milk chocolate chips
1 (11 oz) bag peanut butter chips
Sprinkles
Mini baking cups

Peanut Butter Crispy Candies Recipe

1. Arrange mini baking cups on a large cookie sheet so everything is ready when the mixture is finished.
2. Melt the peanut butter chips and milk chocolate chips together in a double boiler, stirring occasionally until smooth.
3. Pour the melted chocolate and peanut butter over the chocolate cereal in a large bowl and stir until the cereal is evenly coated.
4. Spoon the mixture into the mini baking cups and add sprinkles as desired. Working in small batches—spoon a dozen, sprinkle, then continue—makes this easier.
5. Chill in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes or until set. Once firm, store at room temperature or keep refrigerated.

Flavor Variations To Try

Milk chocolate and peanut butter chips are the classic combination, but you can swap one or both for other flavors to suit tastes or dietary needs:

• Dark chocolate chips
• Butterscotch chips
• Caramel chips
• Mint chips
• White chocolate chips

Ideas for Packaging Your Cocoa Krispies Treats

These candies are easy to package attractively for gifts or hostess presents. A few simple options:

• Place a dozen in a clear cellophane bag and tie with a ribbon; add a small ornament as a keepsake.
• Pack a dozen or more into a small bakery box, tie with twine and attach a handwritten note.
• Arrange several on a festive plate and wrap or present as a host gift when visiting friends or family.

All Photos by Jeff Mindell

Do you have any holiday traditions that signal the start of the season? Making these candies is one of mine—simple, sweet and made for sharing. Give them a try, gift a batch to someone you appreciate, and enjoy the classic pairing of chocolate and peanut butter.