PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL COOKIE GRANOLA BARS (NO-BAKE, VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE)

1/4 cup unsalted butter (half of one stick) or vegan butter
1/2 cup milk (regular, soy, or nut milk)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 heaping cup creamy peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups old-fashioned whole rolled oats (not quick cook or instant, use certified gluten-free if necessary)
1 1/4 cups crispy rice cereal (Rice Krispies or similar, use certified gluten-free if necessary)
1/4 cup butterscotch/peanut butter/semi-sweet chocolate chips melted for drizzling, optional (use peanut butter or semi-sweet chocolate to keep vegan)
1 teaspoon unsalted butter or vegan butter for drizzling

DIRECTIONS:

1. Line an 8-by-8-inch (or a 9-by-inch pan for thinner bars; I used an 8x8) with aluminum foil, leaving overhang. Spray with cooking spray; set aside. In a large heavy-bottomed pot, combine 1/4 cup butter, milk, sugars, and heat to melt over medium heat, stirring until smooth and combined. Allow mixture to come to a boil and then allow it to boil fairly rapidly for about 90 seconds, stirring frequently so it doesn't bubble over or scorch. Wear a hot mitt and use caution when stirring it because this is the beginning stages of caramel sauce and in the 220F range.
2. Turn off the heat and add the peanut butter, vanilla, and stir until combined. If it's challenging to incorporate the peanut butter, turn the burner on low momentarily to help it along. Stir in the oats, crispy rice cereal, and transfer mixture to prepared pan. Smooth it into an even, flat layer with a spatula, pressing firmly to compact the mixture.
3. Cover pan with with another sheet of foil (or not, but I prefer to keep things covered in the refrigerator) and place pan in the refrigerator for at least two hours, or until bars have set up fully, before slicing (I usually leave them overnight). I lift bars out and place on cutting board to slice.
4. Optionally, either before (easier and faster) or after (prettier results) slicing the bars, drizzle with melted butterscotch/peanut butter/semi-sweet/white chocolate chips. Melt chips and 1 teaspoon butter in a small microwave-safe bowl in 10-second bursts until mixture can be stirred smooth, noting that butterscotch scorches and seizes almost immediately without butter and can scortch very easily so don't overheat it; 15 seconds is likely all it will take to melt. Drizzle melted mixture over the bars.
5. Slice into 1 dozen bars, 4-inches long by about 3/4-inch wide, or into preferred size and shape. Wrap bars individually in plasticwrap and store them in a large ziptop plastic bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the refrigerator for up to 1 month, or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
6. Recipe is kept vegan by using margarine or vegan buttery spread, vegan milk, vegan crispy rice cereal, and a peanut butter or semi-sweet chocolate drizzle. Recipe is kept gluten free by using gluten-free oats and gluten-free crispy rice cereal. Take care all ingredients use are suitable for your dietary needs.