My Take On The Take 5 Candy Bar

Y'all!! These little, peanut buttery caramelicious, chocolate covered, salty pretzel bites!

They are my take on the Take 5 candy bar, and they are so yummy! 😋

For me, it doesn't get much better than Peanut Butter Caramels.

But when you add pretzels, peanuts and chocolate, well let's just say, it got better!

Try them and I think you'll agree!

At the core of these magic little squares are the aforementioned Peanut Butter Caramels. Yes they do take a little more time, but the taste far outweighs the extra effort..at least it does in my sweet book!

Wanna make some candy?

Instead of spreading peanut butter on the pretzels, we are incorporating it into the caramel.

Let's get crackin'!

 Prepare a 13x9 pan for our Peanut Butter Caramels. Spray with cooking spray, line it with parchment paper, and spray this as well.

Have your peanuts ready to sprinkle on top of the caramel.

 To make the Peanut Butter Caramels, click on my link for the recipe.

Pour up this beautiful candy and resist the urge to lick the spoon.
I've done it! Ouch!😳

Sprinkle peanuts over candy. Let caramels cool for a few hours till set. I usually let mine sit loosely covered overnight.

Now we're ready to unmold our candy. Remove from pan by lifting from the edges of parchment paper and set onto a cutting surface lightly sprayed with cooking spray.

Cut caramels with a long, sharp, lightly oiled knife. I thought I was cutting mine into one inch squares, but when I counted them, I only had 95 pieces.
And I'm okay with that!😉

You will need 95 pretzel squares..or more if you're a better caramel cutter than me!😜

Gently press caramels onto pretzels.

Oh my, but I'm ready to try one now!

No! I can wait! I think I can! I think I can!

Dip candies in melted chocolate and place on parchment lined pan to set.

Yum!

Don't they look irresistible?!!

This cross-section is just plain eye candy!

My Take On The Take 5 Candy Bar Recipe

You will need:
One batch of Peanut Butter Caramels
95 (or so) pretzel snaps
One heaping cup of your favorite peanuts
1 1/2 pounds chocolate (I used Ghirardelli dark melting wafers)

Prepare caramel, sprinkle with peanuts and let cool to set.

Cut caramels with long, sharp, lightly oiled knife into approximately 95 pieces, then gently press onto pretzels.

Melt chocolate, dip candies and place on parchment lined pan.

And there you have it! My take on the Take 5 bars! I hope y'all like 'em!

Have a sweet day, Karen 😊

Peanut Butter Caramels

Peanut Butter Caramels!

I made 'em!

Okay, I may be just a little impressed with myself. But hey, can I help it? I mean, these things bring back memories of those yummy old-fashion Mary Jane candies..only these won't pull out a filling. And, since I only had reduced fat peanut butter on hand, they're low fat to boot. You're welcome.

Before I made my Peanut Butter Caramels, I googled to see if they had been made before. They have. But I am using my own yummy "Homemade Caramels" recipe as the base for this peanut butter version.

 Amazing to me still how six little ingredients can turn out such a delectable confection!

Begin by lining your dish with parchment paper sprayed with cooking spray. I use an 8 x 8 square pan.

Next, combine first five ingredients in straight-sided saucepan.

Attach candy thermometer.

I will tell you..keep stirring, or you can very easily scorch these candies.

After reaching 246 degrees, remove from heat, stir in vanilla and pour into prepared dish.

One of these days I'm going to invest in a straight sided baking pan. But until then, after the caramels completely set, I just cut off the edges (with a lightly oiled knife) to get my perfect square.

To cut caramels, use a lightly oiled, long sharp knife to score candies. 

Then, use a sawing motion to cut completely through.

There may have been a little snacking going on during my wrap session.  ;o)

Peanut Butter Caramels

1 1/2 sticks butter (I use salted)

2 1/4 cups light brown sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

Melt butter over low heat. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, condensed milk and peanut butter. 

Attach candy thermometer. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until candy reaches 246 degrees.

Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into parchment paper lined dish sprayed with cooking spray and let set. I always let mine set overnight lightly covered with a sheet of parchment paper.

Cut and wrap candies.

These are so much fun to share with family and friends.

They will definitely be in my family's Christmas stockings this year!

Thank you, baby sister Chrissy, for stopping by and taste testing for me. 

You're just awesome like that!

Wishing You All A Blessed Day From

Sugartown Sweets!

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