Happy Valentine’s Day, one day late! I had to wait to post about these treats until my boyfriend received them in the mail, because otherwise he’d know what his present was! After two weeks of waiting, he finally got the package, and I can finally spill the beans on this yummy dessert. It’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cocoa Krispie Treats!

This recipe is super simple, and is gluten free (if you make sure the peanut butter is gluten free). It can also be dairy free, if you exclude the Reese’s cups. It’s also a very light dessert, so you can enjoy it completely guilt-free! And it’s OH so good.

Here are the ingredients:

• 3 tbsp margarine
• 6 cups Cocoa Krispies cereal
• 4 cups marshmallows (or 10 oz., which is usually a whole bag)
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
• Reese’s miniature cups to taste

Here’s how you make them!

First, unwrap as many Reese’s cups as you want to include in the treats. This is definitely the most tedious part of the recipe- it feels like you unwrapped about 4,000 candies. It’s totally worth it! Then, using a butter knife, cut the Reese’s into small bits on a cutting board.

Now get all your other ingredients prepped, because this recipe goes pretty fast. Grease a 9×13″ pan to put the treats in. Have your marshmallow bag already cut open, and have your 6 cups of Cocoa Krispies all set. Mix the Reese’s cups with the Cocoa Krispies, so that you can stir it all in together. Also, have your peanut butter out and a wooden spoon or spatula ready.

In a medium saucepan, melt the margarine. Then, add the marshmallows and stir until the marshmallows are fully melted. Add the peanut butter and mix until it’s all fully incorporated. You can add more or less peanut butter depending on how much you like it. I just went for a good healthy dollop.

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After the marshmallow peanut butter mixture is done, turn off the heat. Quickly add all of the Cocoa Krispies and Reese’s and fold the cereal and marshmallow mixture together. It’ll be pretty stiff and sticky, so make sure that you really scoop the mixture from bottom to top, or else all the marshmallow goo will stay at the bottom of the saucepan (never a good thing).

Scrape all the yummy gooey goodness into your greased pan, and press it down with wax paper to create a flat, even layer of Cocoa Krispie treats.

When the treats are set, cut them using a dull knife in short, sawing motions. Then, if you’re like me, wrap them in a plastic bag and a cardboard box and ship them off to your loved ones! Or, you can eat them all and be one happy camper.

I know Valentine’s Day isn’t everyone’s favorite holiday (it’s not even my favorite holiday!), but there are ways to make any holiday, no matter how you celebrate it, special. Even from across the country, I’m happy that I was able to help my boyfriend have a great day. These treats are a great way to show a loved one that you’re thinking about them on any day, not just Valentine’s Day. Enjoy!