In a large saucepan, combine the Karo® Light Corn Syrup and sugar. Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously to dissolve the sugar completely. You’ll notice the mixture bubbling gently as it heats up.
Once the mixture reaches a boil, remove it from the heat. Stir in the creamy peanut butter thoroughly. The heat will help the peanut butter melt and blend seamlessly with the syrup and sugar.
Add the chopped pretzels and the crispy rice cereal to the mixture. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated and well combined. You should see the pretzels glistening in the mixture.
Prepare a greased 13×9-inch pan by either spraying it with cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper. Pour the mixture into the pan, spreading it out evenly. Pat it down to ensure it’s tightly packed.
In a clean saucepan, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter chips together over low heat. Stir constantly to avoid burning. As they melt, the chocolate will become smooth and glossy.
Once melted, pour the chocolate mixture over the pressed mixture in the pan. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly, covering the entire surface. If desired, sprinkle some additional toppings like sprinkles or chopped pretzels.
Now, let the bars cool at least 45 minutes, or until they are firm to the touch. You can place them in the refrigerator to speed up the process.
Once cooled, cut the bars into squares. It’s best to use a sharp knife for clean edges. Each bite should have that perfect combination of peanut butter, chocolate, and pretzel.