Chocolate Peanut Butter Nougat Squares Recipes

CHOCOLATE PEANUT SQUARES

Steps:

• Line a 9-in. square pan with foil; grease foil with 1 teaspoon butter. In a microwave, melt remaining butter. Stir in confectioners' sugar, peanut butter and cracker crumbs. Spread into prepared pan., In microwave, melt topping ingredients; stir until smooth. Spread over top. Refrigerate until set., Using foil, lift out of pan. Cut into 1-in. squares. Store airtight in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER NOUGAT SQUARES

Steps:

• Spray a 9″ x 13″ baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Combine sugar, 1 cup corn syrup, molasses, and 3⁄4 cup water in a 6-qt. saucepan and heat over medium-high heat. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and cook, without stirring, until mixture reaches 250°. Meanwhile, put remaining corn syrup, vanilla, and egg white into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk.
• In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, powdered milk, and confectioners' sugar and stir until smooth; set peanut butter mixture aside. When syrup reaches 235°, begin to whip egg white mixture on high speed. Once the syrup reaches 250°, remove pan from heat and let sit 1 minute. Reduce mixer speed to medium and carefully pour hot syrup into the center of the egg whites in a slow, steady stream. After all the syrup is added, increase speed to medium-high and beat for 4 minutes. Remove bowl from mixer and, using a rubber spatula, fold in peanut butter mixture gently but quickly until well combined. Transfer to prepared baking pan and smooth with a rubber spatula; let cool to room temperature.
• Remove nougat from pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 1″ squares and set aside. Combine chocolate and shortening in a medium heat-proof bowl and set over a pot of simmering water. Heat, stirring often, until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove bowl from pot and let chocolate cool until an instant-read thermometer reads 89°.
• Using two toothpicks or a candy dipping fork, dip a square of nougat into the chocolate, shake off excess coating, and place candy on a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper. Sprinkle squares with a small pinch of sea salt while chocolate is still liquid; repeat with remaining nougat squares, chocolate, and sea salt. If chocolate cools below 86°, set the bowl over the pot of simmering water and heat, stirring constantly, until it returns to 89°, then continue coating nougat squares. Let chocolate cool to room temperature and set before serving.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F and spray a 9-inch square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• Make the crust: Combine the chocolate wafers, sugar, butter and peanut butter in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment and pulse until the cookies are finely crushed. Press the mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan (I spread it with my hands first, then use the bottom of a measuring cup to even it out). Bake for 8 minutes. Set on a rack to cool completely.
• In the meantime, make the peanut butter filling: Combine all of the filling ingredients together in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix at low speed until just combined (do not whip). Set the bowl in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest.
• Make the chocolate ganache topping: Combine the milk chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl and cook in the microwave at medium power (50%) for 1 minute. Stir until the bowl no longer feels warm. Continue heating at 15-30 second intervals, stirring until chocolate is smooth and melted. Do not overheat.
• Put it all together: Spread about ¼ cup of the chocolate mixture evenly over the cooled crust; place the pan in the freezer until the chocolate is set, 5-10 minutes. Spread the peanut butter mixture into an even layer over the chocolate (if it's firm, you can use your hands; if it's soft, use a butter knife or an offset spatula). Give the chocolate ganache a quick stir to smooth any lumps, then spread it evenly over top of the peanut butter layer. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 1 hour to set (or, if you're not in a hurry, you can just leave it in the refrigerator for a few hours). When firm, use a sharp knife to cut into squares (make them small as they are very rich!). Run an offset spatula underneath the bars to release the crust so it doesn't crumble. Keep refrigerated and serve cool.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: These can be frozen tightly covered for up to 3 months. Let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.