chocolate + peanut butter rice krispy treats

 Remember that time I made a 'healthy version' of rice krispy treats and I ate the whole thing without sharing so much as a single grain of puffed rice?  Homegirl did it again! 

Only this time?  I made a more educated culinary decision.  Chocolate.  No matter the question, the answer is always chocolate... unless it's peanut butter.  Oftentimes, the answer is peanut butter.  But today, no need to pick just one when you can have both.  Rejoice, for we have chocolate and peanut butter rice krispy treats.  Vegan, gluten-free & maple-sweetened, I might add.

These certainly are the best thing my mouth has ever laid tastebuds on.

Chocolate + Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats

vegan, gluten-free

5 cups (unsweetened) brown rice cereal, gluten-free
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup brown rice syrup
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons arrowroot/tapioca starch

1/2 cup Enjoy Life mini-chocolate chips

1. Line a 9x13" pan with parchment; Set aside.
2. In a large pot, combine peanut butter, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, salt and starch.
3. Heat over medium temperature and stir until small bubbles form. 
4. Stir in rice cereal and stir until evenly coated.  Add chocolate chips and stir. 
5. Press into prepared pan and use a spatula to spread evenly and firmly compress into pan.
6. Refrigerate for at least an hour before cutting and serving.