No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Crunch Bars

Total Time: 4 hrs 5 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/4 cups pretzel crumbs
• 1 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup chocolate chips (dark preferred)
• 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vegetable shortening
• 3/4 cup crisp rice cereal

Recipe

• 1 line the bottom of an 8 x 8-inch square pan with parchment or aluminum foil.
• 2 mix the melted butter with the pretzel crumbs, peanut butter and confectioner's sugar. turn into prepared pan and spread evenly in pan. chill for about 1 hour.
• 3 place chocolate morsels, 2 tbsp peanut butter and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. microwave on high for 1 minute. stir until mixture is smooth. you may have to return the bowl to the microwave for another 15-20 seconds if morsels are not completely melted.
• 4 add the rice cereal to the chocolate mixture, stirring to coat well.
• 5 spread on top of chilled peanut butter mixture and return to refrigerator to chill until firm, about 3 hours.
• 6 when well chilled, cut into 9 bars.