These salted peanut chews are a classic that features a delicious combination of chewy marshmallows on top of a buttery crust and is then finished with a crunchy, salt peanut topping. It’s the best dessert ever and the original Pillsbury recipe.
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I have been making these ever since I received a Pillsbury bake off winners cookbook in the 80’s and your recipe IS the original — so so good! It’s the one dessert that’s a hit with everyone who tries it. I’ve seen other versions with cake mix used for crust that are not nearly as good as this one. Great to see old classics like this being posted for younger bakers!
If you’re a fan of the ever-popular sweet and salty flavor combo, then these salted peanut chews are right up your alley. The buttery crust provides the perfect sweet base for the crunchy, salty peanuts on top, making each bite a flavor-packed treat.
If you’re a fan of this recipe, you’ll also love my microwave peanut brittle for another sweet and salty treat. Or try my Rocky Road brownies for a chocolatey twist on the classic dessert bars. And for another easy no-bake dessert, these rice krispie peanut butter bars are a winner.
My mom shared this recipe with me years ago and had it written down. Since that time Pillsbury has changed the recipe on their website. However, this recipe is the ORIGINAL found in my mom’s own handwriting when she first discovered it decades ago. This is one of my son’s all time favorite dessert recipes.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Incredible Texture: These bars have a buttery crust and a chewy, rich texture that is to die for. It’s a dessert you’ll want to make again and again.
- Sweet and Salty: The combination of sweet and salty flavors in this recipe is unbeatable. It’s the perfect treat for anyone with a sweet tooth.
- Easy to Make: Despite their impressive appearance, these bars are surprisingly easy to make. It’s my favorite kind of easy dessert to make.
- Unbeatable Flavor: The combination of buttery crust, sweet filling, and crunchy peanuts on top creates a flavor that’s out of this world.
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Key Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: This forms the base of the crust, providing structure and a slightly crumbly texture.
- Light Brown Sugar: Sweetens the crust and adds a hint of caramel flavor.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the crust, balancing the sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Baking Soda and Baking Powder: Together they are going to be our leavening agents to give us the right texture for the crust.
- Butter: Incorporates a rich, buttery flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture to the crust. We’ll also use it in our top layer.
- Vanilla: Adds a sweet, aromatic flavor to the crust, complementing the salt and sugar.
- Egg Yolks: Help to bind the ingredients together and add richness to the crust.
- Marshmallows: Form the middle layer, melting into a gooey, sweet filling.
- Corn Syrup: Sweetens the top layer and helps to give it a glossy finish.
- Peanut Butter Chips: Add a creamy, peanut butter flavor to the top layer, complementing the saltiness of the peanuts.
- Rice Cereal: Provides a crunchy texture to the top layer, balancing the gooeyness of the marshmallows.
- Salted Peanuts: Add a salty crunch to the top layer, and a rich, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet ingredients.
Equipment
- Mixers – You’ll need a stand mixer or a hand mixer to combine the crust ingredients and ensure they form a crumbly mixture. This will make it easier to press the crust into the pan.
- 13×9 Inch Pan – This is where you’ll press the crust mixture and bake it. It provides the base for the salted peanut chews.
- Large Saucepan – This is essential for melting the corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and peanut butter chips to make the delicious topping for the bars. It’s important to stir constantly to ensure the mixture is smooth.
How to Make Salted Peanut Chews
Preparation
Start by preheating your oven to 350° F. This is the temperature at which you’ll bake your crust and melt the peanut butter chips for the topping. It’s important for these steps to have a hot oven ready.
Step 1 – Make and Bake the Crust
Combine the crust ingredients in a bowl. You’re looking to form a crumbly mixture. Once it’s ready, press this mixture into the bottom of your un-greas 13×9 inch pan. Pop it in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until it’s a light golden brown.
Step 2 – Add the Marshmallows
As soon as you take the crust out of the oven, sprinkle the marshmallows over it. They’ll start to melt and puff when you return the pan to the oven for 1-2 minutes. Once they’re puffy, take the pan out and let it cool while you prepare the topping.
Step 3 – Make the Peanut Butter Chip and Cereal topping
In a large saucepan, combine the corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and peanut butter chips. Heat this mixture until the chips are melted and it’s smooth. Stir constantly to prevent burning. Once it’s ready, remove it from the heat and stir in the rice cereal and salt peanuts.
Step 4 – Add the topping
After the cereal and nuts are mixed in, immediately spoon this warm topping over the marshmallows. You’ll need to work quickly to spread it out and cover the marshmallows entirely.
Step 5 – Cool and Cut
Once your salt peanut chews are assembled, let them chill. This will help the topping set. Once it’s firm, you can cut the bars into 36 pieces. Enjoy your delicious, sweet, and salty treat!
Expert Tip
Work fast when adding the warm topping to the marshmallows, as it hardens quickly. This will make it easier to spread the topping evenly over the marshmallows and prevent it from hardening before you’re done.
Recipe Variations
- Different Nuts: If you’re not a fan of peanuts, you can easily substitute them with your favorite nuts. Try cashews, almonds, or a mix of your choice for a different flavor and texture.
- Chocolate: While this recipe doesn’t call for chocolate, you can add a layer of melted chocolate over the marshmallows before adding the peanut butter topping for a more decadently sweet treat.
- Extra Marshmallows: If you love the gooeyness of marshmallows, feel free to add an extra cup to the middle layer for an even more lusciously chewy bar.
How to Make Peanut Chews (Video)
What to Serve With
- These salted peanut chews make a great addition to any dessert spread. Serve them alongside your favorite cookies and brownies for a variety of sweet treats.
- If you’re a fan of afternoon tea, these salted peanut chews are the perfect accompaniment to a hot cup of tea or coffee. The salty-sweet flavor is a great way to satisfy your afternoon cravings.
- For a fun and unique dessert, crumble them over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The extra crunch and flavor will take your ice cream to the next level.
Make Ahead Instructions
Make ahead as instructed. You can store them at room temperature for up to 3 days covered. I prefer using them within one day when serving to friends. The crust does get more crumbly the longer it is since you first made them.
Recipe FAQs
The crust is done when it’s a light golden brown. This usually takes about 12-15 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t get too dark.
Yes, you can. However, the recipe is called salted peanut chews because the salt on the peanuts contrasts with the sweetness and adds an extra dimension of flavor. If you use unsalted peanuts, the bars will still be delicious, but they might be a bit sweeter overall.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: You can store the salted peanut chews in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
- Freezing: If you want to make them ahead of time, these bars are freezer-friendly. Simply place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
- Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen salted peanut chews, let them thaw at room temperature for about 1-2 hours.
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Serving Size
- What to Expect: This salted peanut chews recipe yields a delicious dessert, enough for 36 servings.
- How to Scale: If you’re planning to serve a larger crowd, you can easily double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. Just make sure to use a larger pan to accommodate the increased quantity.
Salted Peanut Chews
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 Cup all purpose flour
- 2/3 Cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 Cup butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 egg yolks
Middle Layer
- 3 Cups marshmallows
Top layer
- 2/3 Cup corn syrup
- 1/4 Cup butter
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 oz peanut butter chips
- 2 Cups rice cereal
- 2 Cups salted peanuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚ F.
- Combine all the crust ingredients until the crumb mixture forms. Press in the bottom of an un-greased 13×9 inch pan.
- Bake at 350° F for 12-15 minutes or until light golden brown.
- Immediately sprinkle with marshmallows. Return to oven 1-2 minutes or until marshmallows begin to puff. Cool while preparing topping.
- In a large sauce pan heat corn syrup, butter, vanilla and peanut butter chips until chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Stir constantly! Remove from the heat and stir in the rice cereal and nuts. Immediately spoon warm topping over marshmallows. Spread to cover.
- Let chill and cut into 36 salted peanut chews bars.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2018. The post has been updated to provider more details. The recipe remains the same.
It tastes delicious but there’s something wrong in the execution of the crust. I’m not sure what I did wrong because I followed the recipe exactly. The crust is crumbling whenever I take out a piece.
A couple of things could impact the crust if not measured correctly. Make sure to spoon in the flour and level it off. If you dip the measuring cup into the flour you pack it in – and it will be too much flour in the recipe. In contrast, brown sugar should be measured by packing it. If you don’t, you won’t have enough brown sugar. Those two measuring skills should result in a great crust that holds together for this recipe. 🙂