Special Kay Bars

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/18/22
Special kay bars

The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 36 servings
Yield: 36 bars
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
215 Calories
10g Fat
32g Carbs
4g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 36
Amount per serving
Calories 215
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g 12%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 112mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 25g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 4mg 18%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 127mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Special Kay bars are a delicious no-bake bar cookie. The crunch of the cereal is complemented by rich and chewy caramel peanut butter and smooth and creamy chocolate.

You must use Special K cereal in this recipe. Puffed rice cereals become soggy in the rich caramel peanut butter mixture. The crisp cereal stays crunchy and gives the bars the most satisfying chewy texture that is perfectly complemented by the creamy frosting that stays soft and velvety.

These bars are a pretty good source of potassium, fiber, protein, and B vitamins for a treat.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup brown sugar

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 1/2 cups corn syrup

  • 1 1/2 cups plus 1/3 cup peanut butter, divided

  • 6 cups Special K crisp rice cereal, not Rice Krispies

  • 1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips

Steps to Make It

There are two great methods for making these special kay dessert bars: The first is using the microwave, and the second is using your stove. We've outlined both below, so please feel free to use whichever appeals to you the most. Both methods will come out delicious.

Microwave Version

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for special kay bars
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the sugars and corn syrup and mix well. Microwave on high for 2 minutes and 15 seconds; meanwhile, rinse the spoon off with very hot water.

    Microwave sugar and corn syrup
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  3. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the mixture, scraping down the sides of the bowl.

    Remove bowl from microwave
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  4. Return the bowl to the microwave and microwave on high for another 2 minutes and 15 seconds, or until the mixture begins to bubble and boil. Again, rinse that spoon.

    Return bowl to microwave
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  5. Remove the bowl from the microwave and add 1 1/2 cups of the peanut butter. Stir until mixture is smooth and combined.

    Thicken
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  6. Add the cereal and stir to coat.

    Add cereal
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  7. Pour and press the cereal mixture into a greased 13 x 9-inch pan, using the back of a greased spoon to press evenly.

    Spread on tray
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  8. Combine the chocolate chips and 1/3 cup peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl.

    Combine chocolate chips and peanut butter
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  9. Heat on medium power for 2 minutes; remove and stir.​ (Return to microwave for another 30 seconds if necessary to melt chips; stir until smooth.)

    Heat on medium
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  10. Spread over cereal mixture.

    Spread
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic 

  11. Let cool completely, then cut into bars.

    Cut into squares
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  12. Store, covered, at room temperature.

Stovetop Version

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for special kay bars
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugars and corn syrup and mix well until the mixture starts to bubble and the sugar is dissolved.

    Sugar and corn syrup
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  3. Add 1 1/2 cups of the peanut butter. Stir until mixture is smooth and combined.

    Add peanut butter
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  4. Remove the pan from the heat and add the cereal and stir to coat.

    Put in cereal
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  5. Pour and press the cereal mixture into a greased 13 x 9-inch pan, using the back of a greased spoon to press evenly.

    Press into tray
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  6. In another, smaller, saucepan, melt the chocolate chips and 1/3 cup peanut butter over low heat, frequently stirring, until melted and smooth.  

    Melt chocolate chips
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  7. Spread over the cereal mixture.

    Spread over cereal
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  8. Let cool completely, then cut into bars.

    Let cool
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  9. Store, covered, at room temperature.

    Special kay bars
    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic