Salted Peanut Chews

I found this recipe years ago and am now copying it here from our family cookbook binder. Enjoy!

Salted Peanut Chews

1 roll (18 oz.) sugar cookie dough                           

3 cups miniature marshmallows                               

2/3 cup corn syrup                                                   

¼ cup margarine or butter                                       

2 tsp vanilla

1 bag (10 oz) peanut better chips

2 cups crisp rice cereal

2 cups salted peanuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Break up cookie dough into ungreased 9x13 pan.  With floured fingers, press dough evenly into bottom of pan to form crust.  Bake 15-20 minutes, or until light golden brown.  Remove partially baked crust from oven.  Immediately sprinkle marshmallows evenly over crust.  Return to oven, bake 1-2 minutes longer, or until marshmallows just begin to puff.  Cool while preparing topping.  In a large saucepan, heat corn syrup, margarine, vanilla and peanut butter chips over medium heat, stirring constantly, just until melted and smooth.  Remove from heat.  Stir in cereal and peanuts.  Immediately spoon warm topping over marshmallows; spread to cover.  Refrigerate about 45 minutes or until firm.  Cut into bars. 

*You can also try adding some chocolate chips in the marshmallow layer, or frost with chocolate frosting.