A beautiful and absolutely delicious recipe for these chocolate, marshmallows and peanut bars, totally effortless, no baking nor much cooking is involved apart from melting some chocolate. Super easy dessert recipe and always a winner. Get your kids involved and then rewarded!
Proudly, I can say I am very satisfied with how this peanut bars dessert came out as it is to die for, it is that seriously good considering this very one was the first attempt. I know there isn’t much here that could go wrong but... it is seriously good!
Summer holidays so far...
Summer holiday is at its peak and so far it has been fully packed with plenty of activities such as trampolining, going out, movies, park, nice long walks, picnicking, cooking and making super yummy delights like this chocolate and peanut bars with mini marshmallows. Yummmmm!!!
You may or may not agree with this statement that as long as kids are happy.... we, the parents are happy too, but for me, kids are such joyful entities, they really manage to fulfil our life with so much joy and happiness that is a true soul hugger. Nothing really satisfies me more than seeing them happy and later... successful.
Recently I have made quite a few new recipes which I am sure I will manage to post all very soon and they are too nice for you not to know about or me not to share.
How did this peanut bars recipe come about?
.... well, it was an instantaneous decision. I had this pack of mini marshmallows lying around the kitchen worktop and I said let’s just do something with it. I did not have a recipe in mind at the time but just a vague idea of what I wanted to do so I went to check around the staple cupboards and pulled out few more bags and a couple of jars.
I did want something nice to come out but didn’t fancy using too many ingredients.
I have gathered everything together and gave it a go and it is so good that I did as my kids told me it was the best dessert I have made for them in centuries! Hm! Listen to them.... not really fair and although I did not agree with that for a second, they must have had a point there... and that was that they absolutely loved it.
A nice surprise ...
The best part was the surprise part of it all as they normally linger around and patrol around the kitchen to see what’s coming on the dinner table. This time though, the kids were busy with doing few bits and then playing around the house. I did not miss the opportunity as I really wanted this to be a surprise for the next day.
The next day, I can't tell you the joy on their faces and they kept on asking "when did you make this mummy?" A few Wawwzies!! followed at the sight of this as it looks good too, right? ... and with no delay.... they’ve tucked in and....it all went silent apart from a continuous MMMM sound.
Their little faces were saying the whole story ... ? they looked as if they’ve hit the jackpot :-)) all smiles. Ah, the joy of being a mum.... this is such a part of it. I enjoy it tremendously.
There was plenty of it don’t get me wrong but it was going down pretty well and fairly fast, almost to the extent of not managing to take a few pictures.
Tiny little more about the recipe ...
In addition to being a really good looking dessert or snack, most noteworthy and the true beauty of this recipe is that it is so easy to get it assembled, you don’t need to get dirty, no real cooking involved and it can be served in less than 30 minutes. Not bad, hey?
Nevertheless, it is pointless to mention its taste .... very nice indeed, as you probably kind of imagine that already.
It is a very simple treat, nicely textured and pretty colourful. A perfect choice for a quick no-bake or cook dessert, ideal to make or take to a party, or even just as we did with the little leftover - we took it with us to a planned picnic well tucked in the cooling bag.
Apart from being a good party, picnic or any day dessert, this chocolate, peanut and marshmallow bar would make a perfect present for a home-made treat to someone you love and especially if they have children, it will be pure joy, forget about a toy and quickly tucked away.
Kids really do love marshmallows, don't they? Well, I’m sure adults won’t hesitate or say no either. Too tempting, in fact, I will have to issue a little ...
Expert's Advice
How to store these peanut bars?
In the fridge....
- If you decide to store it in the fridge (if it is too hot outside) it has to be taken out prior to cutting it, 15-20 min will do just fine, or ...
- the best - fridge storing option is to cut it all into the desired piece size and shape and then store it in the fridge.
Outside the fridge...
It's can be kept outside even in summer times as long as it somewhere in the shadow and a little bit of a cooler corner under a glass bowl and cut as much as you would like to consume.
How to melt white chocolate?
Not as easy as melting the dark chocolate since this contains no cocoa solids and it can easily turn lumpy, grainy and scorches rapidly.
It is all about the temperature that needs to be right and the whole idea is that the temperature isn't too hot.
If you melt it over a saucepan of warm water (better than microwave as you can be more in control over the temperature) you will need to choose a bowl that sits snugly over your chosen saucepan.
The bowl should not come in contact with the simmering water in the saucepan.
White chocolate scorches at just 44°C / 111°F so the temperature needed is really a few degrees above our body temperature.
The best way to melt white chocolate is to chop your chocolate into evenly sized pieces or use chocolate chips, by stirring regularly.
This chocolate and peanut bars recipe comes with a little warning. It has to come with a little warning since it is highly addictive, and definitely worth that totally effortless try.
I am saying this recipe delivers 12 chocolate and peanut bars, however, this is so possible to change from household to household, from tooth to tooth as some may have a sweeter tooth than us here so in conclusion, it can serve anything from 1 to 15 ;-)) haha.
Other dessert recipes you may like:
Here's something for everyone :
- Check these chocolate dessert recipes out now
- 10 super easy dessert recipes to wow your close ones
- Oh yes, bring this chocolate cake on!
- Did you say cake pops?
- What about these chocolate peanut butter crunch bars? by The Big Mans Word
- Or this No-bake cheesecake? I am drooling now pretty badly
- Or these vegan peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars? by Love and Lemons
Okay then, let’s get going and I am sure you will let me know how did this go down at your end, how many teeth will this recipe manage to please and sweeten ...?? hmmm, I wonder!
Marbled chocolate, mini marshmallows and peanut bars
Ingredients
- 230 g dark chocolate 70+ % cocoa mass
- 180 g white chocolate keep 50g aside to chop
- 50 g mini marshmallows (I used white and pink)
- 80 g dulce de lèche sauce (caramel sauce)
- 50 g chunky three nut butter
- 40 g peanuts (slightly salted and roasted)
Instructions
- Place the peanuts into a larger bowl along with the three nuts butter, dulce de lèche caramel sauce, marshmallows and some of the white chopped chocolate (the 50g that needs chopping).
- Melt the dark chocolate either into a small bowl over boiling water or in the microwave, if you have or use one. If the chocolate is too hot allow it to cool for 2 minutes. This has to be melted but not super hot as it will melt the marshmallows.
- Melt the white chocolate (see recipe notes for tips) and add to the chocolate and peanuts mixture. Stir it in slightly if you want some white chocolate into larger lumps or stir more for thinner white chocolate threads.
- Pour the dark melted chocolate over the other ingredients already in the bowl. Give it all a good stir.
- Overlay a dish of your choice (I used a porcelain dish 15x10cm) with one layer of clingfilm.
- Pour over the chocolate mix, level it with a spatula, it is lumpy but just level it to make sure that the chocolate has evenly gone into all the corners and has filled the bottom of the dish properly and evenly.
- Place in the fridge for a minimum of 20 minutes or 10 minutes in the freezer if you are in a hurry, and I am sure you are as it is hard to wait...;-)
- After it sets you can keep it out of the fridge and I recommend that before attempting to cut it let it be out of the fridge for a while so cutting it is easier. (See recipe notes).
Notes
Dana says
Great recipe! Will save it to make again and again - kids loved it as you can imagine and adults licked some fingers too! ahaha!
Ramona says
Haha, great to hear dear Dana! xx
Aleka Shunk says
Oh YUM I love the dulce de leche!! I cannot wait to make these! Summer is RIGHT around the corner!! 😉
Ramona says
Thank you Aleka, they’re truly yummy - I hope you’ll like them as much as we all do ??
Tristin Rieken says
Oooh that sounds like the perfect little sweet bite for our Easter spread... or for tonight’s movie night!
Ramona says
Thank you so much Tristin, Oh absolutely yes, any time and any occasion- it’s addictive stuff. So so good! ??
Catherine Brown says
Yes, all highly addictive recipes should come with a warning... this one definitely looks HIGHLY ADDICTIVE! 😉 I need some.... NOW! Thank you for the recipe.
Ramona says
Hi Amanda,
You’re so right! This comes with the warning ⚠️ and it is so right to have that warning. Too good and too addictive ???