Homemade Snickers Bars

H-O-M-E-M-A-D-E    S-N-I-C-K-E-R-S?!?!?!

Shut the front door.

When I came across this little baby a few weeks ago, it took every ounce in my body not to immediately go out and buy groceries, whip up the sugary concoction, and hide in my closet while I secretly enjoyed the entire 9x13" candy bar all by myself. Coming to my senses, I knew I (and my hips) would need a reason to make such gluttonous goodness. With Jakob's birthday right around the corner, I had the perfect excuse to give it a whirl. And how did it turn out? Let's just say that next time I make this you may very well find me hiding in my closet with nothing but an empty pan, chocolaty fingers and a smile (I know- sounds creepy right??) Whatever, I'll admit it- I do not share sweets well.

No more talk. Go buy the following...

Now let's get started. First, line a 9x13" baking dish with parchment paper. This will come in very handy when you are ready to pull out and cut into the bar. The real candy bar has four distinct layers. Yours will too.

Layer 1: Chocolate layer

1 1 /4 cups milk chocolate chips

1/4 cup peanut butter

Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter slowly in a saucepan over low heat. Pour into baking dish and spread evenly. Let it cool and harden completely. I was too anxious and tossed it into the freezer for 10 minutes.

Layer 2: Nougat layer

1/4 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups marshmallow fluff (1 entire small jar of the gooey stuff if you don't feel like measuring)

1/4 cup peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup chopped unsalted peanuts

Melt butter in a saucepan. Over medium heat, add sugar and evaporated milk. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and continue cooking for 5 minutes stirring frequently. Stir in marshmallow fluff, peanut butter and vanilla. Remove from heat and fold in peanuts. Pour nougat mixture over chocolate layer. Let it cool and harden completely. (Again, I placed it in the freezer.)

Layer 3: Caramel layer

12 oz bag of caramels (you can use caramel squares or these easy peasy "caramel bits" I ran across)

1/4 cup whipping cream

Melt caramels and cream in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth. Pour over nougat layer. Let it cool completely. 

Layer 4: Chocolate layer

1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips

1/4 cup peanut butter

Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter slowly in a saucepan over low heat. Pour over caramel layer and spread evenly. Place in refrigerator for at least 2 hours allowing it to harden completely.

Remove from refrigerator. Pull out using the parchment paper as handles to reveal your very own homemade Snickers bar.

Wouldn't that make a sexy gift? I'm giving everyone a giant Snickers bar for Christmas next year! 

If you are feeling a little crazy and would like to share with your friends, you can cut the giant bar into smaller squares. Serve immediately or store in the fridge, the gooey caramel layer likes to make things a little messy if it's not chilled.

Be still my heart.

Now go- go get your ingredients! You can thank me later.