Chocolate Marshmallow Bars

3/4 cup butter
1 ½ cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cups flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
3 tbsp cocoa
½ cup chopped nuts, optional
4 cups mini marshmallows



Topping:
1 1/3 cups chocolate chips
3 tbsp butter
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups crisp rice cereal

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder, slat and cocoa; add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts. Spread in a greased jelly roll pan, Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes. Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over cake; return to oven for 2-3 minutes. Using a knife dipped in water, spread the melted marshmallows evenly over cake. Cool. For topping, combine choco chips, butter, and peanut butter in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and well blended. Remove from heat; stir in cereal. Spread over bars. Chill. Cut. Yields about 3 dozen.