German Chocolate Crunch Bars

75 minutes 24 bars
German Chocolate Crunch Bars

Chewy chocolate-marshmallow cereal bars topped with coconut and toasted pecans, inspired by German chocolate cake.

chocolatedessertbarsno-bakecoconut

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces sweet baking chocolate, chopped
  • 1/4 cup butter, plus more for the pan
  • 1 10-ounce package miniature marshmallows
  • 1 cup canned coconut-pecan frosting
  • 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 7 cups chocolate-flavored crisp rice cereal
  • 1/4 cup flaked coconut
  • 1/4 cup toasted pecans, chopped

Preparation

  1. 1

    Line a 9-inch square baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang at the sides, then lightly butter the foil.

  2. 2

    Melt the chocolate and butter in a 4-quart Dutch oven over low heat, stirring until smooth.

  3. 3

    Add the marshmallows and continue cooking and stirring until melted. Mix in the coconut-pecan frosting and coconut extract, then gently fold in the cereal.

  4. 4

    Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press it firmly into an even layer using buttered waxed paper.

  5. 5

    Scatter the coconut and toasted pecans over the top and press them firmly into the bars. Chill for at least 1 hour.

  6. 6

    Lift the slab from the pan using the foil overhang, remove the foil, and cut into 24 bars.