Chocolate Salted Peanut Crunch Squares Food

SWEET AND SALTY CRUNCHY NUT BARS

Steps:

• Be still my beating heart! Or perhaps this is not the best thing to say here, given the likelihood of this lusciously over-the-top piece of chocolate excess inducing just such an outcome. I wouldn't want to make this very often, so impossible is it to walk away from with any conviction. I fear it is the kitchen equivalent to crack cocaine.
• Still, as the French say "Everything in moderation, even moderation." This is gloriously intemperate, riotously vulgar. I love it.
• The key is the blaring balance between sweet and salty: it's like several klaxons going off in your head as you eat. And it's strange that while I would normally eschew an all-milk chocolate offering, I prefer it here to the bittersweet-and-milk mixed version. Not that either is bad, and since the jury is matched on this, I feel it only right to alert you to either option. For what it's worth, I like the darker version in the round pan and cut into panforte-type skinny wedges, and my preferred milk chocolate version set in a rectangular pan and cut into chunky, squat slabs (rather as I feel and look like after eating too many of them).
• Line your springform pan with aluminum foil or use a foil pan.
• Break up or chop the chocolate into pieces, and drop into a heavy-based saucepan. Add the butter and syrup, put on a low heat, and melt gently together.
• Tip the peanuts into a bowl, and crush the honeycomb candy with your hands, letting the golden-glinting rubble fall into the nuts.
• Take the melted chocolate mixture off the heat and stir in the peanuts and crushed honeycomb candy, then tip straight into the springform pan or foil pan. Smooth the top of the mixture as much as you can, pressing down with a silicon spatula or vinyl-disposable-gloved hand. Put into the refrigerator for about 4 hours, and once set, cut into slices as desired.
• Make Ahead Note: The bars can be made 1 day ahead. Transfer slices to airtight container, layered with parchment paper, and store in refrigerator. Keeps for 3 to 4 days.

SALTED PEANUT SQUARES

Steps:

• Sprinkle half of the peanuts into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. In a large microwave-safe bowl, heat chips and butter at 50% power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave in 20-second intervals until melted; stir until smooth. Stir in sweetened condensed milk; cook, uncovered, on high for 1 minute., Stir in marshmallow creme and chopped candy bars. Spread into prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining peanuts. Cover with plastic wrap; press down lightly., Refrigerate until set. Cut into 1-in. squares. Store in an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE COVERED SALTED CARAMEL PEANUT BACON CHEW

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• While the Dulce De Leche Caramel is boiling, lay out the bacon on a half sheet pan and bake for approximately 15 minutes. While the bacon is cooking, on another half sheet pan, bake the peanuts for 15 minutes.
• Allow the bacon to cool and chop into small pieces and set aside. Allow the peanuts to cool and then roughly chop them.
• Mix the dulce de leche caramel, bacon, peanuts and salt together in a bowl. Using a small melon scooper, scoop balls of the caramel mixture and place on a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper.
• Roll out a 1/8-inch-thick sheet of fondant and cover the caramel balls with the fondant. On a sheet pan lined with wax paper, spread a thin amount of melted chocolate in a circle just large enough to place the caramel balls on. Place the fondant covered caramel balls on the melted chocolate and place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator. Then dip the fondant covered caramels in the melted chocolate. Return them to the refrigerator to cool. Serve.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Remove the label from the can of sweetened condensed milk. Place the can in a pot of boiling water and boil for 2 hours. Let the can cool completely before handling. To expedite the cooling process use an ice bath, but make sure the can has completely cooled before handling.

CRUNCHY PEANUT & TOFFEE BONBONS

Steps:

• Put the peanut butter, butter and sugar in a food processor. Pulse until it comes together. Add the toffee and pulse again. Remove and, using the palms of your hands, roll mixture into small balls. Place on a tray. Chill for 30 mins.
• Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl in the microwave on High for 1 min or set over a pan of boiling water (make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water). Using a fork, dip the balls, one at a time, until half covered in chocolate. Roll in the peanuts. Put on a tray lined with baking parchment and leave to harden (about 2 hrs).
• Store between layers of baking parchment in a covered container and keep chilled. Will keep for 1 week in an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CORNFLAKE CRUNCH BARS

Steps:

• In a 3-quart saucepan, combine the peanut butter, corn syrup and sugar.
• Cook on low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture just comes to a boil (10-12 minutes).
• Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips until melted.
• Stir in the vanilla extract, cereal and nuts; toss to coat well (mixture will be stiff).
• Press into a buttered 13x9-inch pan.
• Cool completely, then cut into bars.