Snickers bars are probably one of my favorite candy bars, right up there with Reese’s peanut butter cups, Butter fingers and about a dozen other ones.  Do I have to pick a favorite,  no I don’t think so.

Being that these are a homemade version of Snicker’s makes it even better.   Turns out, these taste exactly like a Snickers bar. Let me emphasize exactly because truly, these are a spot-on recreation. Only more delicious. And sinfully addictive.

These bars have multiple steps that might make them appear a tad overwhelming or intimidating, but have no fear! Each one takes less than 10 minutes and is pretty much foolproof.

Bottom chocolate layer. Nougat layer + chopped peanuts. Caramel layer. Top chocolate layer. Done!

Honestly, the hardest part about making these is once they are done, not eating more than five at any given point in time. I said five. Because I believe that it is impossible to eat less than five. They are dangerous and wonderful.

 

 

Yield: 32 bars

Ingredients:

For the Bottom Chocolate Layer:

1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

For the Nougat Layer:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup evaporated milk
1½ cups marshmallow fluff
¼ cup creamy peanut butter
1½ cups salted peanuts, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Caramel Layer:
14 ounces caramels, unwrapped
¼ cup heavy cream

For the Top Chocolate Layer:
1¼ cups milk chocolate chips
¼ cup creamy peanut butter

Directions:

1. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Line with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper; set aside.

2. Make the Bottom Chocolate Layer: Melt together the chocolate chips and peanut butter in the microwave on 50% power until completely smooth and melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Pour into the prepared baking dish and, using a spatula, smooth into an even layer. Refrigerate until completely cool and hard, about 30 minutes.

3. Make the Nougat Layer: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar and evaporated milk, stirring until dissolved, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from heat and add the marshmallow fluff, peanut butter, and vanilla extract, stirring until completely smooth. Fold in the peanuts, then pour over the bottom chocolate layer. Again, refrigerate until completely cool, about 30 minutes.

4. Make the Caramel Layer: Combine the caramels and the heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Melt, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Once completely melted, cook for an additional 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour the caramel over the nougat layer. Refrigerate until completely cool, about 30 minutes.

5. Make the Top Chocolate Layer: Melt together the chocolate chips and peanut butter in the microwave on 50% power until completely smooth and melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Pour over the caramel layer and, using a spatula, smooth into an even layer. Refrigerate until completely cool and set, 30 to 60 minutes.

6. Using the parchment liner, remove the bars from the pan and cut into 32 pieces. You can store these in the refrigerator or at room temperature. I find the filling to be the best consistency at room temperature, but the chocolate can get a little melty depending on how warm your house is. If your house runs warm (higher than 72 or so) you might want to keep them in the fridge and then take them out an hour or two before you want to serve them