Candy Bar Brownies

 

3/4

cup butter or margarine, softened

2

tablespoons water

2/3

cup sugar

1

cup semisweet chocolate chips

1

teaspoon vanilla

2

eggs

1

cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1/2

teaspoon baking powder

1

cup sugar

1/4

cup butter or margarine

1/4

cup milk

1

cup marshmallow creme

1/2

cup creamy peanut butter

1/2

teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2

cups dry-roasted peanuts

40

caramels, unwrapped

1/4

cup water

1

cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/4

cup butterscotch-flavored chips

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Line bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with foil, leaving 1 inch of foil overhanging at 2 opposite sides of pan; spray foil with cooking spray.
• 2 In large microwavable bowl, microwave 3/4 cup butter, 2 tablespoons water and 2/3 cup sugar uncovered on High about 1 minute or until mixture just starts to boil; stir until blended. Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips until melted. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and the eggs until well mixed. Stir in flour and baking powder. In pan, spread batter evenly.
• 3 Bake 18 to 23 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool completely in pan on cooling rack, about 30 minutes.
• 4 In 2-quart saucepan, heat 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter and the milk to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in marshmallow creme, 1/4 cup of the peanut butter and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Pour over brownies. Sprinkle peanuts over top.
• 5 In 1-quart saucepan, heat caramels and 1/4 cup water over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted; pour over peanuts.
• 6 In medium microwavable bowl, microwave 1 cup chocolate chips and the butterscotch chips uncovered on High about 1 minute or until softened; stir until smooth. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter; spread over caramel layer. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before cutting. Use foil to lift brownies from pan before cutting. For brownies, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows. Store in refrigerator.