It’s so bad you guys, I made something so bad…….
With it being October I know we’re all seeing the grocery aisles filling with extra candy and you moms are being forced to play the bad guy more than usual when you have to limit or deny the requests to buy it all every time they ask. Not only do you not want too much around for the kids to be tempted by, but admit it, when no one’s around you know you’ll remember that whole bag of fun-sized pieces and that one less won’t be detectable.
Okay, so these homemade versions of a classic aren’t exactly going on anyone’s healthy food pyramid anytime soon, but the good thing is that they don’t have tons of high fructose corn syrup and all the other crud you’ll find on those ingredient lists. Plus, isn’t it so much more fun to share candy that you’ve actually made. Although, I’m not sure if you’ll be very motivated to give any of these away.
I don’t see us getting a lot of trick or treaters here in Chile. I mean, there is some awareness of the crazy American’s customs on the 31st of the month but it’s not something that they really do down here. I can’t say I mind that though, it’s kind of nice actually. I used to like getting to dress up as a princess or something fun every year and spending time with friends at a little party. I also love watching all the classic and harmless scary movies that have plenty of good suspense. However, I’ve never liked it when people take the day to extremes and try to freak little kids out. I draw the line at the gory bloodbath movies or anything demonic. That’s just too far.
Now all the seasonal candies though, I can’t say I didn’t love that as a kid. Candy corn, and all things sour were some of my faves but my sisters always went for the chocolate. Now that I’m getting older I’d say it’s kind of a tie for me between the tart stuff and the chocolate, but if I was going to choose chocolate than Snickers would be one of my top picks.
According to certain members of my family, I have officially topped myself in the sweet department with these. They’re dangerously addictive with that perfect salty sweet balance and the crunch of the peanuts with the gooey caramel. I must warn you though, you’re going to want milk with these. A lot of it!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 2 cups homemade vanilla marshmallows (1/4 of recipe in link)
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/4 cups salted dry roasted peanuts
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup half & half
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 tablespoons strong black coffee
Instructions
- Line a 13x9 inch pan with parchment paper and set aside. Melt 2 tablespoons cream,
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter, and 1 cup chocolate in a double boiler until smooth. Scrape out into prepared pan with a rubber spatula and spread into as even a layer as you can. Place pan in fridge to harden while you make the nougat.
- Combine butter, sugar, and milk in a small saucepan and bring to a soft boil over medium low heat. Boil for about 5 minutes then remove from heat and stir in salt, marshmallows, peanut butter, and vanilla until smooth. Remove pan with bottom layer from fridge. Add peanuts to nougat mixture and scrape out onto bottom layer. Spread as quickly and evenly as possible.
- Allow to cool while you make your caramel.
- Combine brown sugar, butter, half & half, honey, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium low heat. Bring to a soft boil and stir occasionally, scraping sugar from sides of pan, for about 12 minutes or until it starts to get thick and develop a dark amber color. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and coffee then cool for about 5 minutes. Pour over nougat layer and spread gently and evenly. Place pan back in refrigerator and chill for about 30 minutes.
- Melt 2 tablespoons cream, 3 tablespoons peanut butter, and 1 cup chocolate in the same double boiler until smooth. Scrape out onto caramel layer with a rubber spatula and spread into an even layer. Place pan back in fridge and chill for at least 1 hour before cutting into bars and serving.
- These bars are best stored in fridge and served cold or not quite lukewarm because they are a bit soft at room temp.
Notes
If you do not plan to make homemade marshmallows they can be substituted with 1 1/2 cups marshmallow cream. Although, most brands are made with mostly corn syrup.
Oh waw, these look great. I need to try them, I love snickers as well, but I try to stay away of store bought candy bars, it’s been months that I had one. It never occurred to me to make my own. Awesome, Tori.
I hope you get the chance to make these! Thanks, Kristina!
Eh, it may not be health food, but these are certainly better than store-bought! I love knowing what’s in my food and homemade candy is definitely the route to take if you’re trying to avoid store-bought ingredients! Pinning 🙂
Thanks, Medha!
What?! These look amazing! WAY better than candy from the store!
Totally, the true “fun-size” is when you can make them as big as you want!
So bad…yet so good. What a great way to use up our leftover Halloween candy. These look so decadent.
Thanks, Karen!
Tori these look awesome! I too have a huge weakness for snickers and would love to have these in my fridge right now! Gorgeous!
Thank you so much, Deb!