Deluxe Chocolate Marshmallow Bars

Ingredients:

3/4 c Butter or margarine
1 1/2 c Sugar
3 Eggs
1 ts Vanilla extract
1 1/3 c All-purpose flour
1/2 ts Baking powder
1/2 ts Salt
3 tb Baking cocoa
1/2 c Chopped nuts, optional
4 c Miniature marshmallows

Topping:
1 1/3 c Chocolate chips (8 oz.)
3 tb Butter or margarine
1 c Peanut butter
2 c Crisp rice cereal

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa; add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts if desired. Spread in a greased jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes. Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over cake; return to oven for 2-3 minutes. Using a knife dipped in water, spread the melted marshmallows evenly over cake. Cool.

For topping, combine chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and well blended. Remove from heat, stir in cereal. Spread over bars. Chill.