Chocolate Covered Caramel Peanut Bars Recipes

CARAMEL PEANUT BARS

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the first five ingredients; stir in butter. Set aside 1 cup for topping. Press remaining mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. , In a heavy saucepan or microwave, melt caramels with cream, stirring often. Sprinkle chocolate chips and peanuts over the crust; top with caramel mixture. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

CHOCOLATE COVERED PEANUT CANDY BAR

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients for the centers, except for the powdered sugar, in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir often as the caramel slowly melts. When the mixture is smooth, add 3/4 cup of powdered sugar and stir. Save the remaining 1/2 cup of powdered sugar for later. Use a candy thermometer to bring the mixture to exactly 230 degrees, stirring often, then turn off the heat. When the temperature of the candy begins to drop, add the remaining 1/2 cup of powdered sugar to the pan, then use a hand mixer on high speed to combine. Keep mixing until the candy cools and thickens and can no longer be mixed. That should take 1 to 2 minutes. Let the candy cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it can be touched. Don't let it sit too long-- you want the candy to still be warm and pliable when you shape it. Take a teaspoon-size portion and roll it between your palms or on a countertop until it forms a roll with the width of your index finger, and measuring about 4 1/2-inches long. Repeat with the remaining center candy mixture and place the rolls on waxed paper. You should have 8 rolls. Let the center rolls sit out for 1 to 2 hours to firm up.
• Combine the 20 caramels with the 1 1/2 teaspoons of water in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir often until the caramels melt completely, then turn off the heat. If you work fast this caramel will stay warm while you make the candy bars. Pour the peanuts onto a baking sheet or other flat surface. Using a basting brush and working quickly, "paint a coating of caramel onto one side of a center roll. Quickly turn the center over, caramel side down, onto the peanuts and press gently so that the peanuts stick to the surface of the candy. Paint more caramel onto the other side of the roll and press it down onto the peanuts. The candy should have a solid layer of peanuts covering all sides. If needed, brush additional caramel onto the roll, then turn it onto the peanuts to coat the roll completely. Place the candy bar onto waxed paper, and repeat with the remaining centers. Place the bars into your refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours so that they firm up. Pour the milk chocolate chips into a glass or ceramic bowl and zap it in the microwave for 2 minutes on 50 percent power. Gently stir the chips, then heat for an additional 30 seconds at 50 percent power. Repeat if necessary, stirring gently after each 30 seconds. Don't over-cook the chips or the chocolate will burn and seize up on you. Drop a candy bar center into the melted milk chocolate. Cover the candy bar with chocolate using 2 forks, 1 in each hand. When the candy is covered with chocolate, balance the bar on both of the forks, one at each end of the candy bar, and tap the forks on the top edge of the bowl so that much of the chocolate drops off. Carefully place the candy bar onto waxed paper and remove the 2 forks. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, and then chill the candy bars until firm.

SALTED CARAMEL PEANUT BARS

Steps:

• Butter a 9 1/2-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet or quarter sheet pan and line it with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the 2 long sides. Then butter the parchment.
• Whisk the flour, cornstarch, kosher salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.
• Beat the butter and sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat to combine, scraping down the sides as needed. Slowly add the flour mixture and beat on low until the dough is just combined; do not overwork.
• Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out as evenly as possible with a silicone spatula. Cover with plastic wrap, then use your hands to press and flatten the dough into a smooth even layer. Pull back the plastic wrap and use a fork to prick the dough all over. Cover again and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• Uncover the dough and bake, rotating the baking sheet from front to back halfway through, until golden, 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Combine the caramels and cream in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour the mixture over the shortbread and spread it evenly. Immediately sprinkle with the peanuts and a large pinch of flaky salt. Gently push down on the topping to make sure it sticks to the caramel. Let cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Use the parchment overhang to gently lift the shortbread and slide it onto a cutting board. Remove the parchment and cut into 24 squares. Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

CARAMEL-PEANUT BUTTER BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Stir in candies. Press dough in bottom of pan. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat caramels and milk over medium heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted. Stir in peanut butter. Heat to boiling. Cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 cup peanuts. Spread over warm cookie base. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
• Spread frosting evenly over filling. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled. For bars, cut 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL-PEANUT BARS

Steps:

• Chop 1/2 cup nuts; reserve for later use. Combine remaining nuts with next 3 ingredients in large bowl.
• Cook butter and caramels in saucepan on low heat 5 to 7 min. or until caramels are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Pour over cracker mixture; toss until evenly coated.
• Press cracker mixture onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray; sprinkle with reserved nuts. Refrigerate 30 min. or until completely cooled before cutting into bars.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PEANUT COOKIE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Melt 1/4 cup butter; mix with graham crumbs and 2 Tbsp. sugar until blended. Press onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Bake 10 min.
• Meanwhile, bring milk, remaining butter and sugar to boil in medium saucepan on medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Cook on medium heat 4 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Immediately add marshmallow creme, peanut butter and vanilla; stir until peanut butter is melted and mixture is blended. Spread over crust. Sprinkle with nuts; gently press to adhere. Refrigerate 15 min.
• Place caramels and water in medium microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 min.; stir. Microwave an additional 1 to 1-1/2 min. or until caramels are completely melted, stirring every 30 sec. Spread over nut layer. Refrigerate 10 min.
• Microwave semi-sweet and white chocolates in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 min. or until completely melted, stirring every 30 sec. Pour over caramel layer; spread to form even layer. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.

PEANUTTY CARAMEL BARS

Steps:

• In a large microwave-safe bowl, microwave caramels, water and 1/2 cup peanut butter on high for 45 seconds; stir. Microwave 1 to 1-1/2 minutes longer or until melted. Add cereal and peanuts; toss to coat. Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. pan; set aside., In another microwave-safe bowl, melt chips, butter and remaining peanut butter on high for 20-50 seconds; stir until smooth. Spread over cereal mixture. Refrigerate before cutting.

PEANUT BUTTER CARAMEL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line 13x9-inch pan with foil, leaving foil overhanging at 2 opposite sides of pan; spray with cooking spray. Make peanut butter cookie dough as directed on pouch. Press dough evenly in bottom of pan.
• Make chocolate chip cookie dough as directed on pouch. Drop dough by spoonfuls over peanut butter cookie dough. Using metal spatula, evenly spread dough to cover peanut butter cookie dough layer.
• Bake 25 to 28 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and edges are set. Remove from oven to cooling rack. Cool 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat caramels and whipping cream over medium heat, stirring constantly, 5 to 10 minutes or until caramels are melted. Remove from heat. Spread over warm cookie base. Bake about 5 minutes or until caramel is set in center. Return to cooling rack.
• Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over top. Let stand 5 minutes; spread melted chips evenly over top. Refrigerate bars until chocolate is firm, about 3 hours.
• Let bars stand 30 minutes before cutting. Remove bars from pan by lifting foil; peel foil away. Cut into 8 rows by 5 rows. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER CUP BARS

Steps:

• Coat bottom and sides of an 8-inch-square baking pan with cooking spray. Line bottom and two sides with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang. In a large bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups peanut butter, 1 stick butter, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until smooth. Transfer to prepared pan; press with your hands to flatten and smooth top (if mixture is too sticky, dampen them slightly).
• Combine chocolate and 4 tablespoons butter in a metal bowl. Set over a saucepan containing 2 inches of simmering water; stir with a rubber spatula until chocolate has melted and mixture is smooth. Remove bowl from heat and let cool slightly, stirring gently, about 3 minutes. Pour chocolate over peanut-butter mixture in baking pan, tilting pan to ensure chocolate spreads evenly across top.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 1/4 cup peanut butter until smooth. Let stand until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Drop 1/4-to-3/4-teaspoon rounds of mixture on top of chocolate in baking pan in 1-inch intervals. Drag the tip of a wooden skewer or toothpick quickly through center of each round to create a heart shape. Refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours or, loosely covered, up to 1 week.
• Run a paring knife along edges of pan on the two sides not lined with parchment. Use parchment overhangs to lift from pan; cut into 2-inch bars. Serve cold.

CHOCOLATE COVERED CARAMEL PEANUT BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the bottom and sides of a 9x13 pan.
• Combine cake mix, egg, water and melted butter or margarine. Press evenly into the bottom of the greased pan. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden. Cool.
• Whip together the marshmallow cream and peanut butter. Stir in chopped peanuts. Spread over cooled cake.
• Caramel:.
• In a saucepan, melt butter. Add brown sugar, water and corn syrup and bring to a boil. Cook for several minutes until the mixture is no longer grainy. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and condensed milk. Cool slightly.
• Pour caramel over marshmallow mixture and spread evenly.
• Melt chocolate in the microwave or double broiler, stirring frequently until melted.
• Pour melted chocolate over caramel and spread evenly.
• Allow to set 4 hours, or overnight.