Homemade Kudos Bars Recipe

Introduction

Homemade Kudos Bars are a delightful mix of crisped rice, oats, and sweet syrup, topped with colorful mini M&M’s and a luscious chocolate coating. These bars offer a perfect balance of chewy and crunchy textures with a rich chocolate finish, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups crisped rice cereal
• 1 ¼ cups old-fashioned oats
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup honey or light corn syrup, or a blend
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 Tablespoons mini M&M’S
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon refined coconut oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and set aside. In a large heat-safe mixing bowl, stir together the crisped rice cereal and old-fashioned oats. Set this mixture aside.
2. Step 2: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the brown sugar, butter, honey, and kosher salt. Stir as the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Allow the mixture to simmer gently with small bubbles for 3-5 minutes, stirring continuously until the syrup is smooth, thickened, and frothy.
3. Step 3: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Immediately pour the syrup over the cereal and oats mixture, stirring thoroughly to coat evenly.
4. Step 4: Transfer the coated mixture to the prepared pan. Lightly grease the bottom of a flat, heavy object, such as a measuring cup, and press the mixture down firmly into an even layer. Alternatively, use the greasy side of a butter wrapper on your hands to press the sticky mixture without a mess.
5. Step 5: Carefully press the mini M&M’S evenly across the surface without crushing them. Refrigerate the pan for 1-2 hours until completely firm. If chilled longer, allow the bars to come to room temperature before slicing.
6. Step 6: Once set, use a sharp knife to cut the slab into 12 bars. Trim edges if desired for a neat appearance.
7. Step 7: Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave in 20-second increments, stirring well between each until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate into a small container deep enough to dip the bars.
8. Step 8: Dip the bottom edge of each bar into the melted chocolate to coat. Place bars on parchment paper. Repeat for all bars.
9. Step 9: Pour remaining chocolate into a plastic bag, snip a tiny corner, and pipe a chocolate drizzle over the tops of the bars.
10. Step 10: Chill the bars briefly in the fridge until the chocolate is set, then store at room temperature in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers.

Tips & Variations

• To reduce the honey flavor, use a blend of honey and light corn syrup or all light corn syrup.
• If M&M’S fall off when cutting, press them back onto the chocolate drizzle while it’s still wet.
• Bars stored in the refrigerator may become crisp and hard; bring them to room temperature before serving to restore their chewy texture.

Storage

Store homemade Kudos Bars in an airtight container at room temperature with parchment paper between layers for up to one week. Avoid refrigeration except briefly for chocolate setting. If refrigerated, allow bars to warm to room temperature before serving to regain chewiness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different mix-ins instead of mini M&M’S?

Yes, feel free to substitute with other small candies, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts based on your preference.

How do I prevent the bars from sticking when pressing the mixture?

Lightly grease your pressing tool or use the greasy side of a butter wrapper on your hands to press the warm, sticky mixture without sticking.

Homemade Kudos Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 617 reviews

These homemade Kudos Bars are a delightful copycat version of the classic treat, combining crisped rice cereal, oats, and a buttery honey syrup base, topped with colorful mini M&M’s and a smooth chocolate coating. They offer a crunchy, chewy texture with a rich, sweet flavor, perfect for a snack or dessert.

• Author: Rami
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base

• 2 ½ cups crisped rice cereal
• 1 ¼ cups old-fashioned oats
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup honey or light corn syrup, or a blend
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings

• 3 Tablespoons mini M&M’S
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon refined coconut oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pan: Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set aside for the final mixture.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large heat-safe bowl, combine the crisped rice cereal and old-fashioned oats; set aside for coating later.
3. Make the Syrup: Over medium-low heat, melt the butter with brown sugar, honey (or light corn syrup), and kosher salt in a small saucepan. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture simmers gently with small bubbles across the surface, simmering for 3-5 minutes until thickened and frothy, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
4. Add Vanilla and Combine: Remove the syrup from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Immediately pour this thickened syrup over the cereal and oats mixture and stir thoroughly to coat all dry ingredients evenly.
5. Press into Pan: Transfer the coated mixture into the prepared pan. Use a lightly greased heavy-duty measuring cup or your hands (protected by a butter wrapper) to press the mixture evenly and compactly into the pan while still warm and sticky.
6. Add M&M’s: After a few minutes, gently press the mini M&M’S onto the surface of the bars, being careful not to crush them to prevent melting.
7. Chill Until Firm: Refrigerate the pan for 1-2 hours or until the bars are completely cool and firm. If left longer, bring bars to room temperature before slicing for best texture.
8. Cut Bars: Use a sharp knife to cut the slab into 12 evenly sized bars. Trim edges if desired for a neat appearance.
9. Melt Chocolate Topping: In short 20-second bursts, microwave the chocolate chips with the refined coconut oil, stirring well between bursts until smooth and fully melted.
10. Dip Bars: Pour melted chocolate into a small container suitable for dipping. Dip the bottom of each bar into the chocolate until thoroughly coated, then place on parchment paper to set.
11. Drizzle Chocolate: Transfer remaining melted chocolate to a quart-sized plastic bag, snip a small corner, and pipe a drizzle pattern over the top of each bar for decoration.
12. Set Chocolate: Briefly refrigerate the bars again until the chocolate solidifies. Serve at room temperature; store in an airtight container at room temperature with parchment paper between layers for up to one week.

Notes

• If using all honey, its flavor will be prominent; for milder honey flavor, use a blend of honey and light corn syrup or only light corn syrup.
• Some M&M’s may fall out when slicing; reattach them onto the chocolate drizzle while it’s still wet.
• Storing bars in the refrigerator will cause them to become too crisp; bring them to room temperature to regain the ideal crisp-chewy texture.

Keywords: Kudos Bars, snack bars, homemade candy bars, M&M bars, chocolate bars, crispy snack, chewy bars, copycat recipe