Add the peanut butter, pure maple syrup, butter, and vanilla extract to a large pot. Heat the large saucepan on the stove top over medium heat or low heat (depending on your burner), and stir well until everything is melted and completely combined. Once combined, remove the pot from the heat.

Stir in the cocoa powder and salt until combined. 

Add the crispy rice cereal and chocolate chips to the pot and gently fold everything together until all of the cereal is well-coated with the peanut butter chocolate mixture.

Pour mixture to a parchment-lined 9” x 9” square pan and spread it into an even layer.

Microwave the chocolate chips and butter in a bowl for 20-second intervals, stirring well in between, until melted and creamy.

Pour this mixture over the rice crispy treats and spread it evenly.

Transfer the square baking dish of rice krispies to your freezer and freeze for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened and the rice krispies have set up.

Tug on the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the baking dish and move them to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut any size rice krispie treats you like.

Serve and enjoy!