Mars Bar Squares (Small Batch)

Sunday 16 May 2021

Mars Bar Squares

You are going to fall in love with these simple and easy to make Mars Bar Squares. Not only are they no bake, but they take very few ingredients and are delicious! 

I have small batched the recipe to make half the amount of this beautiful retro recipe and childhood favorite.  Melted Mars bars, crisp rice cereal, chocolate chips and butter are really all you need to make these easy delicious bars!

 
Mars Bar Squares 
With their chewy, gooey, yet crispy base and rich semi sweet chocolate topping, these are all round family pleasers!

I am on a mission to try to small size most of my recipes now that there is basically only one of me to cook for.  Being on your own does not mean that you have to relegate yourself to cooking frozen ready-made meals, or boring food.
 

Mars Bar Squares 
It is quite possible for a person on their own to cook interesting and delicious meals and treats without breaking the bank or producing a lot of waste.  My mother cooked for just herself for over 30 years, with the occasional house guest from time to time.

I was always amazed at the meals she managed to cook for herself. Now, here I am, doing the same thing and I like to think I am doing it in the most delicious way!

Mars Bar Squares 
Hang onto your hats as I take the plunge into single-dom in the most delicious way.  Fear not however, as I will always be happy and willing to tell you how to biggie size anything. Most of my recipes can very easily be doubled to feed more.

After all, I am only experimenting with and down-sizing what were already full-sized recipes!

Mars Bar Squares 
I have been in my little bungalow for over a week now and not one meal that I have cooked for myself has been boring. Nor have any treats. 

I have been cooking myself, chicken and all sorts and baking up delicious smaller sized bakes aimed to please anyone and everyone!

Mars Bar Squares 
That doesn't mean that from time to time I won't be cooking larger. After all, I won't always be on my lonesome. I expect I will have a great deal of company from time to time.

So buckle up and get ready for one heck of a tasty ride!  I hope you're hungry!

Mars Bar Squares 
These lush Mars Bar Squares were one of the first things I made this week.  They have long been favorites in my home.  And no small wonder!

They make great use of most people's favorite, the eponymous Mars Bar chocolate bar, with its layers of chocolate, nougat and caramel. I know that in the US, they also contain nuts, so if you are living in America you may want to use Milky Way Bars instead of Mars Bars.

Mars Bar Squares 
They are extremely popular candy bars in the UK and come in a variety of sizes.  I love the bite sized ones because I am able to better control my appetite with them!  They are incredibly moreish after all!

If you can melt chocolate, you can make these lovely squares.  Seriously, they are that simple!

Mars Bar Squares 
Regular sized Mars Bars are chopped up and melted in a saucepan along with a quantity of butter. It doesn't really matter if you use salted or unsalted. 

Do melt them over medium low heat and stir constantly. That way the mixture won't catch or burn. Using a whisk also helps to amalgamate the butter and the candy.

Mars Bar Squares 
You will want to make sure before you begin that the saucepan that you use is large enough to hold all of the crisp rice cereal.

You will also want to make sure you have a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan lined with some baking parchment.

Mars Bar Squares 
Once you have melted the bars you need to stir in the crisp rice cereal. Its as easy as that.  Give the mixture a good old stir to make sure all of the cereal is evenly coated with the melted candy.

Spoon this mixture into your prepared loaf tin and that's it for the base. You will need to press the mixture down firmly in the pan. An off-set spatula or the bottom side of a metal measuring cup works very well for this.

Mars Bar Squares 
You want to pack the mixture firmly without obliterating it, so don't go overboard. Compact but with the cereal still holding its shape.

Next you need to melt some chocolate chips along with either some butter or a bit of coconut oil. This is very easily done in the microwave oven.

Mars Bar Squares 
Just put the two into a microwave safe bowl and heat it on high for a minute to a minute and a half, stirring it every 30 seconds or so until both are almost melted.

You want it to be about 80% melted, bearing in mind that it will continue to melt and heat after you remove it from the oven.  You want the mixture to be glossy and smooth.

Mars Bar Squares 

Let it cool for just a few minutes and then pour the whole lot evenly over the cereal mixture in the pan.  And that's it.  Bob's your Uncle! 

The hardest part of these is waiting for them to set up. You can put them in the refrigerator to speed things up, but bear in mind you will need to bring them back to room temperature before you cut them.  Its just easier and smarter to leave them to sit for a couple hours at room temperature.

Mars Bar Squares 
At the end of that time you will have a beautiful slice that is easy to cut into bars or squares. I just lifted them out with the parchment paper and popped them onto a cutting board.

It was very easy then to use a sharp knife to cut them cross-wise into bars.  You should get about 8 bars.  You can then cut the bars crosswise into squares if you like.

Mars Bar Squares 
In which case you will get 16 squares. I could easily eat a whole bar, but the Diabetic in me only needs half of one of those.

I am trying to be good.  (Trying being the most important word here.)

Mars Bar Squares 

Oh my but these are incredibly moreishly delicious. Every bite brings you some goo and chew, caramel, chocolate, bits of crispy. Yum, yum, yum!!

My children always loved these and what am I but a big kid myself, especially when it comes to treats like this. If you don't think you can trust yourself, cut them into squares and freeze them. That way you can just take one out as and when you feel like indulging.

Trust me, you WILL want to indulge in these.  They are a fantastically tasty treat!!! If you only indulge in one thing this weekend, let it be these!


Mars Bar Slice (small batch)

Mars Bar Squares (small batch)

Yield: Makes 8 bars
Author: Marie Rayner
Prep time: 15 Mininactive time: 2 HourTotal time: 2 H & 15 M
This is a small batch recipe for one of my favourite treats. They are rich and crunchy. Incredibly moreish. I made these in a loaf tin. They are quick and easy to make, although you do need about 2 hours for them to set up so that you can cut them. You will need a saucepan large enough to hold the rice crispies.

Ingredients

For the bars:
  • 2 ½ Mars Bars (130g)
  • ¼ cup of butter (60g)
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 ¾ cup crisp rice cereal (55g)
For the Topping:
  • ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (150g)
  • 1 TBS coconut oil (7 g) (or butter)
  • Pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Butter a medium loaf tin (9 by 4 inches) and line lengthwise with parchment paper, leaving a bit of an overhang. Set aside.
  2. Unwrap and cut your Mars bars into pieces. Put into a saucepan, along with the butter and a pinch of salt.
  3. Cook, whisking, over medium heat until they have completely melted, and the butter and chocolate bars are completely amalgamated and smooth. Stir in the rice cereal, coating it completely with the mixture.
  4. Spoon the cereal mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Press into an even layer with an off-set spatula or some other flat utensil.
  5. Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil into a microwave safe bowl. Cook on high for 30 second intervals, stirring until they are almost melted. (About 1 ½ minutes depending on the strength of your microwave.) Stir to combine and completely melt.
  6. Pour this mixture over top of the crisp cereal layer, smoothing it out to cover it completely.
  7. Leave at room temperature for 2 hours or so until both layers completely set.
  8. Cut into bars to serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container, with some wax paper in between.
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Mars Bar Squares
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10 comments

  1. Oh, dear, now I don't know whether to make the Hermit cookies or these lucious looking Mars Bar squares. I made another of your Sour Cream Banana loafs yesterday. This time I added some chopped maraschino cherries for colour. It's so good. Enjoy your entertaining today. It will be nice to have your family gathered together around your new dining room table. Can't wait to hear what you made for dinner. You should start a littke diary of your dinner parties like Susan does. It will be fun to have as a keepsake. Take gentle care. Love and hugs, Elaine

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    Replies
    1. Life is full of choices Elaine! Ohh, your banana bread sounds delicious with the addition of chopped maraschino cherries! Must try that the next time! Yummy! I am making apricot chicken, rice, broccoli, salad for dinner tonight, plus batter rolls and my easy refrigerator lemon pie for dessert! With whipped cream and berries. I hope they like it. I should keep a diary, you are right! Thank YOU! Gentle care to you also, stay safe! Love and hugs, xoxo

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  2. Jill Czaplowski16 May 2021 at 08:46

    All the best, Marie, in your new home!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks very much Jill! I think I will be really happy here! xoxo

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  3. Thank you so much for a recipe giving the weight of Mars bar needed. The size of bars over the years has fluctuated so much that I have had many a disaster trying to make these. I also appreciate a proper measurement of rice Krispies rather than half a packet for the same reasons!

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    Replies
    1. You are very welcome Karen! I hope the recipe is all that you want and that it works well for you! xoxo

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  4. Looks absolutely delicious. How wonderful it would be to pop over fir a visit and enjoy a cup of tea and a treat. Enjoy the day.

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    1. And you would be more than welcome Linda! These are fabulous. You enjoy your day also! xoxo

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  5. Hello Marie,
    I made some of these because I wanted to take some to my local small shop, they work so hard and I had been meaning to make something and drop it off for them to enjoy with their cuppa.
    They were quite taken aback and rather overwhelmed, not expecting anything which was so lovely to see, so thank you for sharing your recipes, it’s a bit like a little ripple of kindness from you has touched someone else, they went down a treat. I drizzled a little bit of white chocolate over and swirled it into the dark chocolate to make it look pretty, I’ve not met anyone who doesn’t like them, they really are yummy!
    Best wishes, Julie X.

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    Replies
    1. This comment makes me so happy Julie! You really made my day. I am so pleased you made these to share. I love this. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your kind words! LOVE the idea of the white chocolate being swirled on top! Thank YOU! xo

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