Chocolate Marshmallow Bars

3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 Tbsp cocoa
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
4 cups miniature marshmallows

Topping:
8 ounces (about 1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips
3 Tbsp butter
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups crispy rice cereal

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa; add to creamed mixture. Add nuts if desired. Spread ingredients in a jelly roll pan.

Bake at 350F for 15 to 18 minutes.

Sprinkle with marshmallows; return to oven for 2 to 3 minutes.

Spread marshmallows with a knife dipped in water.

Topping:
Combine chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter in a saucepan; heat, stirring, until melted and well blended. Remove from heat. Stir in rice cereal then spread over cooled bars.

Chill.

Makes 3 dozen