Salty Nutty Peanut Bars Recipes

SWEET AND SALTY CRUNCHY NUT BARS

Steps:

• Be still my beating heart! Or perhaps this is not the best thing to say here, given the likelihood of this lusciously over-the-top piece of chocolate excess inducing just such an outcome. I wouldn't want to make this very often, so impossible is it to walk away from with any conviction. I fear it is the kitchen equivalent to crack cocaine.
• Still, as the French say "Everything in moderation, even moderation." This is gloriously intemperate, riotously vulgar. I love it.
• The key is the blaring balance between sweet and salty: it's like several klaxons going off in your head as you eat. And it's strange that while I would normally eschew an all-milk chocolate offering, I prefer it here to the bittersweet-and-milk mixed version. Not that either is bad, and since the jury is matched on this, I feel it only right to alert you to either option. For what it's worth, I like the darker version in the round pan and cut into panforte-type skinny wedges, and my preferred milk chocolate version set in a rectangular pan and cut into chunky, squat slabs (rather as I feel and look like after eating too many of them).
• Line your springform pan with aluminum foil or use a foil pan.
• Break up or chop the chocolate into pieces, and drop into a heavy-based saucepan. Add the butter and syrup, put on a low heat, and melt gently together.
• Tip the peanuts into a bowl, and crush the honeycomb candy with your hands, letting the golden-glinting rubble fall into the nuts.
• Take the melted chocolate mixture off the heat and stir in the peanuts and crushed honeycomb candy, then tip straight into the springform pan or foil pan. Smooth the top of the mixture as much as you can, pressing down with a silicon spatula or vinyl-disposable-gloved hand. Put into the refrigerator for about 4 hours, and once set, cut into slices as desired.
• Make Ahead Note: The bars can be made 1 day ahead. Transfer slices to airtight container, layered with parchment paper, and store in refrigerator. Keeps for 3 to 4 days.

SALTED PEANUT BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cookie mix, oil, water and egg. Press onto the bottom of a greased 13-in. x 9-in. pan., Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until set. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the chips, corn syrup and butter. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until smooth. Remove from the heat. Stir in the Rice Krispies, peanuts and vanilla., Sprinkle marshmallows over crust. Bake 1-2 minutes longer or until marshmallows begin to puff. Spread cereal mixture over top. Cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate until firm. Cut into bars.

SALTY CARAMEL PEANUT BRITTLE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking spray.
• Reserve 3 tablespoons cookie mix. In large bowl, stir remaining cookie mix and the brown sugar. Cut in butter, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until mixture is crumbly. Press in bottom of pan. Bake 18 minutes.
• Immediately sprinkle peanuts and chocolate chips over partially baked cookie crust. In small microwavable bowl, microwave caramel topping on High about 30 seconds or until of drizzling consistency. Add reserved cookie mix; blend well. Drizzle mixture evenly over peanuts and chocolate chips. Sprinkle evenly with salt.
• Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until caramel is bubbly. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1 hour. Refrigerate 15 minutes to set chocolate. Cut into 8 rows by 6 rows. Store covered at room temperature.

SALTY NUTTY PEANUT BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir all cookie base ingredients except peanuts until soft dough forms. Press dough in bottom of pan. Sprinkle evenly with 2 cups peanuts; press lightly into dough. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until light golden brown. Cool 30 minutes.
• In 3-quart saucepan, heat marshmallows and butter over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until melted. Stir in peanut butter, milk and peanut butter chips until smooth.
• Immediately pour marshmallow mixture over cookie base; spread evenly. Sprinkle evenly with 2 cups peanuts; press gently into marshmallow mixture. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm. For bars, cut into 10 rows by 6 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

SALTED PEANUT CHEWS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and 1/2 cup butter. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. , Sprinkle with marshmallows and return to the oven for 3-5 minutes or until marshmallows begin to melt; set aside. , In a large saucepan, cook and stir the peanut butter chips, corn syrup, vanilla and remaining butter until smooth. Remove from the heat; stir in cereal and peanuts. Pour over prepared crust, spreading to cover. Cool on a wire rack before cutting into bars.

SALTED PEANUT BARS

Steps:

• Lightly coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on all sides, then lightly coat parchment with spray. Cover paper with 1 1/4 cups peanuts.
• In a medium pot, combine 1 tablespoon water, caramels, and marshmallows over medium. Cook, stirring frequently, until caramels and marshmallows melt and mixture is smooth, about 8 minutes. Immediately pour over peanuts, then top with remaining 1 cup peanuts. Let cool until set, about 2 hours, then cut into 16 bars.