Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars with M&M's

Did you know they make M&M's in festive fall colors? I ran into an end-cap display today at the grocery store packed with them. I was really hungry (dangerous to go shopping with low blood sugar), so I grabbed a bag and began to scheme how I could use them — quickly — and get to eating. When I think chocolate, I think peanut butter and then I noticed Cheerio's were on sale so...

Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars with M&M's

Makes 9 large bars

3 tablespoons butter (plus additional for greasing pan)

1 10 ounce bag of marshmallows

1 cup smooth peanut butter
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

4 cups Cheerio's

1 cup M&M's

Butter inside of 8 x 8 pan and set aside. Melt butter in a large saucepan then add marshmallows and stir until melted. Add peanut butter and salt and stir until combined. Add Cheerios and stir as gently and thoroughly as you can. I ended up dumping the sticky mess into a bowl and using my clean hands. Add M&M's and carefully incorporate (many will break, but the color and flavor will be there and you can save a few to put on the top for presentation). Press into prepared pan and cool completely before cutting.