How to Make APS Gold Bars: The Ultimate Guide for Peanut Butter and Chocolate Lovers
Hello, Good News! If you are looking for a delicious and easy dessert recipe that will bring back some sweet memories of your school days, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will show you how to make APS gold bars, the heavenly peanut butter and chocolate bars that are things former APS kids still dream of[^1^].
APS gold bars are a classic treat that many people in Albuquerque grew up with. They were served in the cafeteria of the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) and were a favorite among students and staff alike. They are made with a simple mixture of peanut butter, powdered sugar, and rice krispies, topped with a layer of melted chocolate. They are rich, crunchy, and addictive. You can make them at home with just a few ingredients and enjoy them anytime you want.
What are APS Gold Bars?
APS gold bars are a type of no-bake dessert bar that originated in the Albuquerque Public Schools system. They are also known as peanut butter crunch bars or peanut butter rice krispie bars. They are similar to other peanut butter and chocolate treats, such as Reese’s peanut butter cups or buckeyes, but they have a distinctive texture and flavor that make them stand out.
The name “gold bars” comes from their golden color and rectangular shape. They are usually cut into small pieces and served as a snack or dessert. They are perfect for parties, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to impress your guests with a homemade treat that everyone will love.
The History of APS Gold Bars
The exact origin of APS gold bars is not clear, but they have been around for at least several decades. According to some sources, they were created by a lunch lady at Kit Carson Elementary School in the 1970s[^2^]. She passed down the recipe to her daughter, who shared it online in 2011[^3^]. Since then, the recipe has been widely circulated on social media and blogs, attracting many fans who remember eating them at school or want to try them for the first time.
Other sources claim that APS gold bars were invented by a different lunch lady at another school in the 1980s[^4^]. She used graham cracker crumbs instead of rice krispies and added some vanilla extract to the peanut butter mixture. She also gave them a different name: peanut butter dream bars. However, most people agree that the original version with rice krispies is more authentic and tasty.
The Popularity of APS Gold Bars
APS gold bars have become a cult favorite among many people who grew up in Albuquerque or attended APS schools. They have a nostalgic appeal that evokes fond memories of childhood and simpler times. Many people recall buying them for 15 cents at the cafeteria or getting them as a special treat from their teachers or parents[^5^]. Some even say that they were the best part of their school day.
APS gold bars have also gained popularity outside of Albuquerque, thanks to the internet and word-of-mouth. Many people who have never been to New Mexico or heard of APS schools have tried making them at home and loved them. They have been featured on several websites and TV shows, such as KOAT Channel 7 and The Rachael Ray Show. They have also inspired variations and adaptations, such as adding marshmallows, nuts, coconut, or other ingredients to the peanut butter mixture or using different types of chocolate for the topping.
How to Make APS Gold Bars
Making APS gold bars is very easy and does not require any baking or special equipment. You only need six ingredients: butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar, rice krispies, chocolate chips, and more peanut butter. You can use either creamy or crunchy peanut butter, depending on your preference. You can also use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate chips for the topping.
The basic steps are as follows:
- Melt the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Add the peanut butter and powdered sugar and mix well until smooth.
- Stir in the rice krispies until well coated.
- Press the mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Melt the chocolate chips and more peanut butter in another microwave-safe bowl.
- Spread the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter layer.
- Refrigerate until set, about an hour.
- Cut into bars and enjoy!
A Detailed Recipe for APS Gold Bars
If you want to follow a more detailed recipe for APS gold bars, here is one that has been passed down from the lunch lady at Kit Carson Elementary School[^3^]. It has been tweaked slightly to make it easier to measure and adjust the ingredients. The recipe makes about 48 bars, depending on how big you cut them.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) of butter or margarine, melted
- 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
- 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar
- 1 cup of peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
- 1 1/2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips
- 4 tablespoons of peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
Directions:
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter or margarine for about a minute, stirring once halfway through.
- Add the graham cracker crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, and 1 cup of peanut butter and mix well until smooth and combined.
- Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Press the peanut butter mixture evenly into the prepared pan, using your hands or a spatula.
- In another microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and 4 tablespoons of peanut butter and melt for about a minute, stirring once halfway through.
- Spread the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter layer, covering it completely.
- Refrigerate until set, about an hour.
- Cut into bars and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for Making APS Gold Bars
Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the best APS gold bars possible:
- You can adjust the amount of powdered sugar and rice krispies to suit your taste and texture preferences. Some people like their bars more sweet and soft, while others like them less sweet and more crunchy. You can also add some vanilla extract or salt to the peanut butter mixture for more flavor.
- You can use any type of chocolate chips you like for the topping, such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate. You can also use chocolate bars or candy melts instead of chocolate chips. Just make sure to chop them finely before melting them with the peanut butter.
- You can cut the bars into any size or shape you want. You can use a knife, a pizza cutter, or a cookie cutter to make them. You can also make them into balls or squares instead of bars. Just roll or press the peanut butter mixture into balls or squares before topping them with the chocolate mixture.
- You can store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month. You can also wrap them individually in plastic wrap or wax paper and pack them in lunch boxes or gift bags. They are great for sharing with friends and family.
A Table Breakdown of APS Gold Bars
If you want to know more about the nutritional facts and benefits of APS gold bars, here is a table breakdown that shows you some information about them. The table is based on one bar (about 1/48 of the recipe) and uses generic values for the ingredients. The actual values may vary depending on the brands and types of ingredients you use.
| Nutritional Facts | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 200 | 10% |
| Total Fat | 12 g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 5 g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0 g | – |
| Cholesterol | 10 mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 100 mg | 4% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 22 g | 7% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g | 4% |
| Sugars | 16 g | – |
| Protein | 4 g | 8% |
| Vitamins and Minerals | % Daily Value* | |