Salted Peanut Bars
Sweet and salty peanut bars feature a buttery crust topped with marshmallows, peanut butter chips, and salted peanuts, offering a rich, chewy treat perfect for snack times or parties.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix cake mix, melted margarine, and egg; press into a 9 x 13-inch pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes at 350°F.
- Spread miniature marshmallows over the crust.
- Combine peanut butter chips, Karo syrup, and 1/4 cup margarine; microwave for 2 minutes until melted.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the marshmallows.
- Press salted peanuts into the top before the mixture sets.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using butter instead of margarine. If you're short on peanut butter chips, you can substitute with chocolate chips for a different twist. Make sure to evenly distribute the marshmallows and peanut butter mixture to ensure a consistent texture throughout the bars. For added crunch, try mixing in some chopped nuts or a sprinkle of sea salt before baking.
Serving Suggestions
These salted peanut bars are perfect for dessert platters or as a sweet snack at gatherings. They pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for an indulgent treat. For a fun twist, serve them alongside a glass of cold milk or coffee to balance the sweetness. They also make a great addition to lunchboxes.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover salted peanut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. To reheat, briefly microwave individual bars for 10-15 seconds to restore their gooey texture, but be careful not to overheat them.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Salted Peanut Bars contains roughly 526 calories, with 4g protein, 67g carbohydrates, and 29g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (23% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cake mix for this recipe?
Yes, you can experiment with different flavors of cake mix, such as chocolate or vanilla. Each will alter the final taste of the bars, so choose one that complements the peanut butter and marshmallow mixture.
What should I do if I can't find peanut butter chips?
If peanut butter chips are unavailable, you can substitute them with semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips. Alternatively, you could melt peanut butter and mix it with powdered sugar to create a homemade version of the peanut butter topping.
How can I make these bars less sweet?
To reduce the sweetness, consider using a sugar-free cake mix and decreasing the amount of Karo syrup. You can also add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors, which will help cut through the sweetness of the marshmallows and chips.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).