Deluxe Marshmallow Bars

Deluxe Chocolate Marshmallow Bars

3/4 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp baking cocoa
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional, I didn't use nuts)
4 cups mini marshmallows
Topping:
1-1/3 cups (8 oz) chocolate chips
3 tbsp butter
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups crisp rice cereal

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 15x10x1 pan(a cookie sheet.)
Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes. Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over cake (I used a little extra); bake 2-3 minutes longer. Using a knife dipped in water, spread melted marshmallows evenly over cake. Cool.
For the topping, combine chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and well blended. Remove from heat; stir in rice cereal. Spread topping immediately over bars. Chill. Yield: about 3 dozen.

*These are seriously delicious. When they were all gone, Zach said, "I wish we had more." Try them! Yum.*