ENDECA_EXCLUDE_START
ENDECA_EXCLUDE_END

Peanut Butter Cookie Candy Bars

Prize-Winning Recipe 2008! Love crunchy caramel-peanut butter candy bars? Try these indulgent cookies to satisfy cravings.

Save and Share
+
false
( 147 Ratings)

147 Ratings

5 Stars 65%

4 Stars 13%

3 Stars 11%

2 Stars 4%

1 Stars 7%

Member Reviews ( 58 )
ec3f7334-a3b9-498a-9966-39fc6246b50c
  • Prep Time 45 min
  • Total Time 2 hr 30 min
  • Servings 36

Ingredients

Cookie Base

1
pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® peanut butter cookie mix
3
tablespoons vegetable oil
1
tablespoon water
1
egg

Filling

1/3
cup light corn syrup
3
tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
3
tablespoons peanut butter
1
tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons water
1 1/4
teaspoons vanilla
Dash salt
3 1/2
cups powdered sugar

Caramel Layer

1
bag (14 oz) caramels, unwrapped
2
tablespoons water
1 1/2
cups unsalted dry-roasted peanuts

Topping

1
bag (11.5 oz) milk chocolate chips (2 cups)

SAVE ON THIS RECIPE!

LOCATION

Directions

  • 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie base ingredients until soft dough forms. Press dough in bottom of pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
  • 2 In large bowl, beat all filling ingredients except powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy and smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until well blended (filling will be thick). Press filling over cookie base. Refrigerate while preparing caramel layer.
  • 3 In 2-quart saucepan, heat caramels and 2 tablespoons water over low heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted. Stir in peanuts. Spread evenly over filling. Refrigerate about 15 minutes or until caramel layer is firm.
  • 4 In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring once, until melted. Spread evenly over caramel layer. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until chocolate is set. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature.

EXPERT TIPS

Expert Tips

Skip the cooking spray, and instead line the pan with quick-release foil for easy cleanup and removal of bars from the pan.

Got questions? Our experts have the answers. Ask Betty now.

View Full Nutrition Information

Nutrition Information

NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING

Serving Size: 1 Bar
Calories
280
(
Calories from Fat
100),
% Daily Value
Total Fat
12g
12%
(Saturated Fat
3 1/2g,
3 1/2%
Trans Fat
0g
0%
),
Cholesterol
10mg
10%;
Sodium
125mg
125%;
Total Carbohydrate
39g
39%
(Dietary Fiber
1g
1%
  Sugars
29g
29%
),
Protein
4g
4%
;
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
0%;
Vitamin C
0%;
Calcium
4%;
Iron
4%;
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choices:
2 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

REVIEWS & COMMENTS

Be the first to review this recipe!
1 - 3 of 58 Reviews View All
Posted 5/14/2013 11:09:23 AM REPORT ABUSE bettymay1 said:
Rating:
Very good. Some suggestions: I only had an 11oz bag of carmels so I used about 3 tablespoons of carmel ice cream topping. This worked very well and made the carmel easy to spread. After making the peanut butter filling it sat for a while and looked dry I buttered my hands when I spread it on the cookie bar and it worked great. I used dark chocolate chips and this cut down the sweetness of the bars. They were a big hit. Will make again for sure.
This reply was: Helpful  Inspiring
Posted 4/30/2013 2:05:35 PM REPORT ABUSE wheat1968 said:
Rating:
I made these for a friend before I have tried them myself. After they refrigerated, I cut them into small squares and tasted one. I was not that impressed. I might have cooked the dough (crust or base) too long, but I followed the directions exactly. The chocolate was a bit too much as well. Definitely not one of my favorites. My kids did not like them at all. I won't make them again.
This reply was: Helpful  Inspiring
Posted 3/4/2013 9:57:48 PM REPORT ABUSE shanette40 said:
Rating:
I read the post before, I think it is good on time. I made these just before I went and got kids from school. Timing then was almost perfect. I used a Gluten free Peanut butter cookie recipe that I have, and no one could tell the difference. Will make again. Though one thing I will do the next time is melt the caramel and pour that over the filling and sprinkle peanuts over that. Seems to make more sense to me. Otherwise good.
This reply was: Helpful  Inspiring
1 - 3 of 58 Reviews View All

© 2013 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved

Nutrition information is calculated at the time recipes are created. We do not include optional ingredients in our calculations.
Save Money on Your Favorite Brands
when you buy ONE BOX Trix® cereal
when you buy ONE BOX Golden Grahams® cereal
when you buy ONE BOX Honey Nut Cheerios® Medley Crunch™ cereal
See All Coupons
ENDECA_EXCLUDE_START
ENDECA_EXCLUDE_END