Chocolate Peanut Caramel Bars

Recipe by Janet Gill, Canton, Ohio
First place and Best of Show, Candies (Other Candy/Confection), 2017

Baking temperature: n/a
Baking time: n/a
Yield: 48

Ingredients

• 1 c milk chocolate chips
• ¼ c butterscotch chips
• ¼ c creamy peanut butter
• ¼ c evaporated milk
• 1 ½ c marshmallow crème
• ¼ c creamy peanut butter
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 ½ c chopped salted peanuts

Filling:

• ¼ c butter
• 1 c sugar

Caramel layer:

• 14 oz. caramels
• ¼ c whipping cream

Icing:

• 1 c milk chocolate chips
• ¼ c butterscotch chips
• ¼ c creamy peanut butter

Instructions

• Combine first 3 ingredients in small saucepan, stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Spread into a lightly buttered 9 x 13” pan. Refrigerate until set
• For filling, melt butter in heavy saucepan. Add sugar and milk. Bring to a boil, boil and stir for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in marshmallow crème, peanut butter, vanilla and peanuts
• Spread over first layer. Refrigerate until set
• Combine caramels and cream in a saucepan. Stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Spread over filling. Refrigerate until set
• For icing, in another pan combine chips and peanut butter. Stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Pour over the caramel layer and spread evenly. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before cutting into pieces