A soft cookie bottom topped with melted marshmallows, rice krispies cereal and peanuts coated in a chewy peanut butter sauce, and yummy chocolate M&M candies, this Crack in a Pan recipe is a layered dessert bar like no other. They are fun and festive, perfect for backyard parties and potlucks!
Crack in a Pan is one part Babe Ruth candy bar, delicious scotcheroo, and soft cookie. Making these bars is addictive, and a hit at parties. We got the recipe from family, which was found in a farm wife’s cookbook. As rich and delicious as this cookie bar is, I am not surprised this recipe was created by a wife feeding a crowd of hungry people, most of whom are hardworking men. Farmers don’t mess around! She compiled and perfected a 3-in-1 dessert bar and named it Crack in a Pan, which I assume is because once you start eating them, it can be all you think about until you have another. This unique recipe is fun to make and enjoy!
With a couple of tweaks to make the recipe more pantry staples friendly, we have been able to enjoy Crack in a Pan a lot over the last month. Taste testing is hard work, but great news for the sweet tooth! We hope you enjoy these wonderful cookie bars just as much!
How to Make Crack in a Pan Dessert Bars
Crack in a Pan is a layered dessert that requires a bit of time between baking and cooling. However, it’s all those sweet layers that make it so special. The delicate crust, soft marshmallow, and crunch of peanut butter cereal and nuts, trust me, the time is worth it!
Ingredients for Crack in a Pan Cookie Bars
- 1/2 cup salted butter, 1 stick, melted
- 13.5-ounce box of yellow cake mix
- 1 large egg
- 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup peanuts(optional)
- My kids like these bars without the peanuts, but I find the peanuts add another texture to the bars and give them the Babe Ruth/Payday feel.
- 3 cups rice crisps cereal
- 1 cup (or more) mini M&M’s candy
- Any M&M candy will work. The mini M&M’s are a hit because bite-sized anything is more fun. Use holiday M&M candy to have a festive dessert for the 4th of July, Halloween, or Christmas!
Instructions for Crack in a Pan Dessert Bars
First, in a medium bowl, mix the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and egg.
Then, spread the cake mix onto a lightly greased 10×15-inch jelly roll pan in a thin layer.
Bake the cake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until the edges are a light brown color and the center is set.
Next, spread a single layer of mini marshmallows across the baked ‘cookie’ bottom. Bake for 2-3 minutes until the marshmallows are puffed and spread/melted together. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely.
In a medium saucepan, melt together the corn syrup, sugar, and peanut butter over medium heat just until it comes to a boil and the sugar dissolves entirely. Then mix in the cereal and peanuts.
Now, spread the cereal mixture on top of the cooled, melted marshmallows. Then sprinkle and press in M&M candies on top. Cut to size. (I recommend smaller servings because the bars are rich. Then there’s always the option to have more than one and share the love.) Enjoy!
Storing Crack in a Pan
Store Crack in a Pan in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Crack in a Pan is best served immediately because it starts to dry out quickly. The cookie bottom crumbles, and the marshmallow becomes tacky. Nobody wants that!
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Crack in a Pan
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter 1 stick, melted
- 13.5 ounces box yellow cake mix
- 1 egg
- 10 ounce mini marshmallows need 3-4 cups
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup peanuts optional
- 3 cups rice crisps cereal
- 1 cup mini M&Ms or more
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and egg.
- Spread the cake mix onto a lightly greased 10×15-inch jelly roll pan in a thin layer.
- Bake the cake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until the edges are a light brown color and the center is set.
- Spread a single layer of mini marshmallows across the baked 'cookie' bottom. Bake for 2-3 minutes until the marshmallows are puffed and spread/melted together. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely.
- In a medium saucepan, melt together the corn syrup, sugar, and peanut butter over medium heat just until it comes to a boil and the sugar dissolves entirely. Then mix in the cereal and peanuts.
- Spread the cereal mixture on top of the cooled, melted marshmallows. Then sprinkle and press in M&M candies on top. Cut to size. (I would recommend smaller servings because the bars are rich. Then there's always the option to have more than one and share the love.) Enjoy!
who are you kidding they will last 3 to 5 days covered in a container. not in my house it won’t last that long. i have made plenty of your desserts and i’m lucky if there is any left over the next day with the pigs i live with. but they love your cookin here at my house. so I guess it’s ok with me.. these are very delicious and so easy to make
delicious to the last bite