# What You'll Need:
→ Base
01 - 4 cups crisped rice cereal
02 - 1 cup creamy peanut butter
03 - 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
04 - 1/4 cup vanilla or unflavored protein powder
05 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Toppings
07 - 1/3 cup peanut butter for drizzle
08 - 2 tablespoons vanilla or unflavored protein powder for drizzle
09 - 2 tablespoons milk (dairy or plant-based) as needed for consistency
10 - 1/3 cup strawberry or grape jelly slightly warmed
# Cooking Steps:
01 - Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides for easy removal.
02 - In a large saucepan, gently heat 1 cup peanut butter and honey over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and fully combined.
03 - Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, salt, and 1/4 cup protein powder until fully incorporated and no lumps remain.
04 - Add crisped rice cereal to the peanut butter mixture and stir until evenly coated.
05 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking pan and press firmly and evenly into an even layer using a spatula or the back of a measuring cup.
06 - In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup peanut butter with 2 tablespoons protein powder and add milk gradually until achieving a thick, pourable consistency.
07 - Drizzle the peanut butter protein mixture evenly over the pressed base layer.
08 - Warm jelly slightly to loosen consistency, then drop spoonfuls over the peanut butter drizzle. Use a knife or skewer to create decorative swirls throughout.
09 - Refrigerate for at least 40 minutes until completely set and firm to the touch.
10 - Lift mixture from pan using parchment paper overhang and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 12 equal bars using a sharp knife with a gentle sawing motion.
