If you’re craving a delicious chocolatey snack, look no further than my favourite Aussie childhood treat, Mars Bar Slice! A no-bake dessert, combining the beloved Mars bar (Known in USA as Milky Way) with crispy Rice Bubbles (AKA Rice Krispies in USA) and soft marshmallows, all topped with a generous layer of creamy milk chocolate.
It’s a slice of heaven that’s simple to make and guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. I stray a little from tradition with the addition of marshmallows but I promise, they are so so good, adding a chewy texture! Let’s dive into this 5 ingredient recipe and create some mouthwatering magic in your kitchen!
Table of Contents
A Taste of Australia: Why You’ll Love It
Aussie cuisine is known for its unique and indulgent creations (Vegemite and Tim Tams!), and this easy Mars Bar Slice is no exception. With its combination of chewy, crunchy, and chocolatey goodness, it’s a favourite snack at birthday gatherings, potlucks, and afternoon tea get-togethers across the country.
Quick and Easy: With no baking required, this recipe is a breeze to whip up, making it perfect for busy days or last-minute gatherings.
Levelled-up Rice Krispie treats: The combination of Mars bars, butter, Rice Bubbles / Krispies, and marshmallows creates a symphony of textures and flavours. Chewy, crunchy, soft and all yummy!
Customisable: While the classic recipe is a winner, there’s room to get creative by adding nuts, sprinkles, or other mix-ins to personalize the slice.
Perfect for All Ages: Both kids and adults will adore this treat, making it a versatile dessert that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
What Ingredients Are Needed
Mars Bars: Mars bars are the star of this recipe. In USA they are actually called ‘Milky Way’ bars. They give a rich, caramel and chocolatey flavour that’s both indulgent and nostalgic. Their chewy texture adds a contrast to the crispy cereal and marshmallows. Substitute: If Mars bars (Milky Way in USA) are not available, you can use other caramel and chocolate-based candy bars. Snickers work great.
Lightly Salted Butter: Butter is used to melt the Mars bars and create a smooth, cohesive mixture that binds the other ingredients together. It adds richness and a little salty sweetness. Substitute: You can use margarine or a dairy-free butter alternative but the flavour will change.
Rice Bubbles or Rice Krispies Cereal: This cereal provides a crispy and crunchy base for the slice. It adds a satisfyingly crunchy texture and helps balance the sweetness of the caramel and chocolate. Substitute: Use any similar puffed rice or crisped rice cereal.
Mini Marshmallows: The marshmallows add a soft and chewy element to the slice. They contribute to the overall texture and help bind the ingredients together a little. Substitute: You can use regular-sized marshmallows, chopped into smaller pieces, or simply omit them.
Milk Chocolate Chips: The melted chocolate chips create a smooth and creamy layer on top of the slice. Substitute: Use dark chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips if you want a different flavour.
Remember, substitutions may alter the final taste. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations to make this Australian snack uniquely yours!
How To Make This Easy Mars Bar Slice
- Melt, Mix, Squish, Set, Chop, Nom! That easy!
- Video Coming soon!
Setting You Up For Success – Tips and Tricks for Mars Bar Slice
- Chop Mars Bars Small & Evenly: Aim for evenly-sized pieces to ensure they melt uniformly. Smaller pieces melt more quickly.
- Double Boiler Method: If using a double boiler to melt the Mars bars and butter, keep the water simmering gently to prevent overheating.
- Stir Often Over Low Heat: When melting the Mars bars and butter, stir well to avoid burning or uneven heating. Temp too high will burn the mixture.
- Press Down: Press the mixture firmly into the pan to create a compact base that holds together well. Be aware, pressing too firm creates a slice that will be much too hard to chew.
- Smooth Chocolate Topping: Use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to spread the melted chocolate evenly over the slice. Tap the pan onto a work surface to gently even out the chocolate. Add a little vegetable oil or Copha/Crisco to help create a thinner chocolate consistency, leading to a smoother shiny chocolate layer.
- Added Extras: For added crunch, consider mixing in chopped nuts like peanuts, almonds, or hazelnuts.
- Customise with Toppings: Sprinkle extra mini marshmallows, chopped candy bars, or sprinkles on top of the melted chocolate before it sets for a finishing touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
When I made this dish on our live cooking show, some community members asked:
Yes, you can experiment with different caramel and chocolate-based candy bars for variations in flavour and texture. Snickers and extra chopped nuts is a great version!
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the slice can last 5-7 days.
Yes, you can freeze it for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Marshmallows contribute to the texture, but you can omit them if desired.
Of course! White chocolate can be used for a different flavour profile.
Troubleshooting
- Slice Too Soft: If the rice bubble slice is too soft after chilling, it might not have been pressed down firmly enough or set for a sufficient amount of time. Place it back in the refrigerator to firm up.
- Chocolate Cracking: If the chocolate topping cracks when cutting, allow the slice to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water for smoother cuts.
- Chocolate Bars Not Melting Properly: If the Mars bars aren’t melting smoothly, ensure they are chopped into small pieces, Try microwaving at low power and mix with a silicone spatula.
- Chocolate Topping Separating: If the chocolate separates or becomes grainy, it might have been overheated. Add a small amount of vegetable oil and gently stir to help smooth it out.
- Mixture Too Sticky: If the mixture is too sticky to handle, lightly grease your hands or flat-bottomed cup with butter or oil when pressing it into the pan.
Looking For More Yumminess?
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Did you make this recipe?
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Recipe
Mars Bar Slice
Equipment
- 20cm / 8inch square tin
- medium saucepan
Ingredients
- 270 gm (4 bars) Mars bars (USA Milky Way bar) chopped
- 90 gm (¾ cup) salted butter
- 125 gm (3½ cups) Rice Bubbles or Rice Krispies cereal
- 50 gm (1 cup) mini marshmallows or sliced marshmallows
- 240 gm (1¼ cup) milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Grease and line a 20cm / 8inch square tin with baking paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the Mars bars and butter together. If using a microwave, place into heatproof bowl and heat in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the Rice Bubbles (or Rice Krispies) cereal and mini marshmallows.
- Pour the melted Mars bar mixture over the cereal and marshmallows. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking tin. Use the back of a spoon or flat measuring cup to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the tin.
- In a heatproof bowl, melt the milk chocolate chips in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and creamy. Pour the melted chocolate over the rice bubble slice mixture in the tin, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Top with extra chopped Mars bar slices if desired.
- Place the slice in the refrigerator for about 1-2 hours, or until the slice is set and the chocolate on top is firm.
- Once the slice is completely set, remove it from the tin using the baking paper overhangs. Place it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into squares or bars.
- Serve and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Hey, we are Molly & Exceede
Former operating room Nurse and self-taught home cook + IT Engineer passionate about Approachable, No-Nonsense recipes to help you level up in the kitchen. We create simplified dishes for busy people with easy-to-find ingredients!
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This is so simple, quick and cheap to make! I had everything in my house already except for the Mars bars which are cheap enough to buy. I also added in extra cooking chocolate to make it go further and extra chocolately. Didn’t take long at all and the recipe is super clear and easy to follow – can make on my lunch break or in between dinner cooking. Makes a decent amount and a big hit with my family! I’ve made Mars Bar slice before a long time ago but will defs be bookmarking this recipe to make again regularly. This is a must-try and an easy fun dessert to make when you’re in a hurry.