Deluxe Chocolate Marshmallow Bars

Ingredients

3/4 c butter
1 1/2 c sugar
3 eggs
1 ts vanilla extract
1 3/8 c all purpose flour
1/2 ts baking powder
1/2 ts salt
3 tb baking cocoa
1/2 c nuts
4 miniature marshmallows
3 tb butter
1 c peanut butter
2 c crisp rice cereal

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa; add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts if desired. Spread in a greased jelly roll pan. Bake at 350-degrees for 15 18 minutes. Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over cake; return to oven for 2 3 minutes. Using a knife dipped in water, spread the melted marshmallows evenly over cake. Cool. For topping, combine chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted nd well blended. Remove from heat; stir in cereal. Spread over bars. Chill. Yield: about 3 dozen. SOURCE: "Taste of Home" (Priemere Edition)