Avalanche/Chocolate Blizzard Bars

From what I've gathered from other food blogs, these are the new hot twist on Rice Krispies Treats. They are pretty good, the whole mini-marshmellows are kind of a neat twist on the melted ones used in Treats. I made both pans in under an hour. They're so fast and easy. Both of these are a chocolate/peanut butter combo. There are so many variations you can use to make either one of these, you are sure to come up with a combination that suits you to a "T"!

AVALANCHE BARS

12 oz white chocolate chips
1/4 cup creamy peanuts butter
3 cups crisped rice cereal
1 1/2 cups mini marshmellows
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Lightly grease a 9x9 (or 8x8 if you prefer thicker bars) and set aside. In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips for one minute. Stir. Then continue to microwave in 30 second increments until the chips are completely melted. Add the peanut butter to the melted chocolate and stir to combine. Add the cereal. Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes, stirring now and again (this is important!.....I didn't wait and the mini chips started to melt, I sprinkled a few more on top and popped it into the frig). Add the marshmellows and mini chips and stir to combine.

Press the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly, pressing lightly with the back of a spoon, taking care not to press too hard or they will be overly compact and it will make the bars dry and tough. Garnish with additional mini chips, if desired. Let the bars cool completely before serving.

CHOCOLATE BLIZZARD BARS

12 oz chocolate chips, semisweet, bittersweet, or milk chocolate

1/2 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter

3 cups crisped rice cereal

2 cup mini marshmellows

1/2 cup chocolate chips or M&Ms

Lightly grease an 8x8 or 9x9" baking pan and set aside.

In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips for one minute. Stir. Then continue to microwave in 30 second increments until the chips are completely melted. Stir in the peanut butter until combined. Let the mixture cool slightly, about five minutes. Add the rice cereal, marshmellows, and chocolate chips or M&Ms. Fold together with a rubber spatual until well combined.

Pour the mixture into the greased prepared pan. Press additional marshmellows and M&Ms onto the top of the bars, if desired. Let the bars cool and set for 5-6 hours until they are firm and no longer gooey and melty. These bars take a lot longer to set up than the Avalance Bars. Cut into squares and serve.