Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Bars

Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Bars

It's crazy, these taste just like a Butterfingers bar!
Course Dessert
Servings 3 dozen

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup light corn syrup
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ cups natural smooth peanut butter
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped fresh roasted peanuts
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 12 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Line a 9" square pan with foil.          
  • In a medium saucepan, stir the sugar with the corn syrup and water.
  • Add the butter and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
  • Attach a candy thermometer to the pan and cook over moderately high heat until the caramel reaches 285°, about 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a large heatproof, microwave safe bowl, combine the peanut butter with the peanuts and salt.
  • Heat the peanut butter mixture in the microwave at high power for about 1 ½ minutes, until melted and hot.  Stir well.  
  • In a small bowl, whisk the vanilla with the baking soda.
  • As soon as the caramel reaches 285°, carefully stir in baking soda mixture; the caramel will foam and bubble up.
  • Immediately pour the caramel into the melted peanut butter mixture and using a heatproof spatula, fold together as quickly as possible.  You want the mixtures to be combined but not homogenized; the candy will come together very fast.
  • Immediately scrape the hot candy into the prepared pan and press into a flat, even layer.  Let cool completely.
  • Peel off the foil and cut the candy into squares.
  • Melt the chocolate over a double boiler at low heat.  Using two forks, dip the candy and coat well in the chocolate.  Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper to set.

Notes

Recipe from Food and Wine Magazine.