Salted Peanut Bars

 

Base:

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1 yellow cake mix
1/3 cup margarine, softened
1 egg
3 cups miniature marshmallows

Topping:

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2/3 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup margarine
2 teaspoons vanilla
12-ounce package (2 cups) peanut butter chips
2 cups crispy rice cereal
2 cups salted peanuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, combine base ingredients except marshmallows until crumbly. Press into bottom of 13-by-9-inch pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Do not over bake. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with marshmallows. Return to oven about 1 minute or until marshmallows just begin to puff. Cool while preparing topping.

For topping, heat corn syrup, margarine, vanilla and chips in large saucepan on medium heat just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in cereal and nuts. Immediately spoon warm topping over marshmallows; spread to cover. Chill; cut into bars. Store covered. Makes about 36 bars.

-From the kitchen of Deanna LaFaber of Martinsburg, W.Va.