Homemade Candy Bar Food

INDIVIDUAL CANDY BAR SALADS

Steps:

• For the candy bars: Spray the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper that hangs over the edge of the pan by 1 inch.
• Add 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut oil to a heatproof glass bowl and place the bowl over a simmering pot of water. Let cook, stirring the chocolate, until it has melted completely, about 5 minutes. Pour into the prepared pan, covering the bottom. Place in the freezer until set, 1 to 2 hours.
• Mix together the powdered sugar, marshmallow creme, peanut butter and milk in a medium bowl until it has a soft, doughlike consistency (this mixture is incredibly sticky, and you may need to use your hands). Remove the pan from the freezer, then wet your fingertips and press the marshmallow filling down over the chocolate in an even layer. Sprinkle the peanuts on top and press lightly into the filling. Set aside.
• Add the caramels and cream to a small saucepot and cook over low heat, stirring, until the caramels are melted, 5 to 8 minutes. Spread the caramel over the marshmallow filling and place in the refrigerator for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the remaining 1 1/2 cups chocolate and 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut oil in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Spread the chocolate over the top of the caramel, then place back in the refrigerator until chocolate is fully set and hardened, about 1 hour.
• Using the parchment, pull the candy out of the pan, then run a knife under warm water and cut into 14 bars. Cut 6 of the bars into small chunks to be used in the salad. (Refrigerate the remaining bars for another use.)
• For the pudding: Meanwhile, combine the flour, granulated sugar and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the egg yolks, then the heavy cream. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it's thickened and coats the back of a spoon, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and pour the mixture into a heatproof bowl. Cover with plastic wrap pressed against the surface of the pudding. Refrigerate until cooled, about 1 hour or up to overnight.
• For the salad: Add the cream and powdered sugar to a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Reserve 2 cups whipped cream in a separate bowl for the topping. Fold the pudding into the remaining whipped cream, then gently fold in the apple slices and candy bar pieces. Serve the salad in individual glass jars or bowls garnished with dollops of whipped cream and sprinkles.

HOMEMADE CANDY BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and white sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the flour and cocoa powder. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, then remove from the oven and sprinkle the almonds and coconut over the crust. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the whole pan. Return to the oven.
• Bake for 15 additional minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Allow to cool completely before frosting with the prepared frosting and cutting into squares.

HOMEMADE CANDY BARS WITH CHUNKS OF COOKIES AND CARAMELS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 170 degrees F. Line the back of a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Put the chocolate chips in a stainless steel bowl and place in the oven. Heat the chips until they hold their shape but melt when you touch them, 8 to 12 minutes. You want the chocolate to melt without getting hot or it will be ruined. Stir until smooth and shiny.
• Pour the melted chocolate out onto the prepared cookie sheet. Spread evenly into an 1/8-inch-thick rectangle. Sprinkle with the cookies and drizzle the Sorghum Caramel over the top. Sprinkle with salt. Gently pick up the pan and drop it on the counter a couple of times. This will help the ingredients settle into themselves. Leave the bar to cool at room temperature, about 1 hour. Break into irregular 3-inch pieces.
• Fill a glass with ice water and set aside.
• Combine the sugar, sorghum and butter in a saucepan and heat over medium until the butter melts, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk, bring to a simmer and cook about 1 minute. Lower the heat and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until a soft ball forms when the caramel is dropped in the glass of ice water or the temperature reads 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 20 minutes. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes before using.

HOMEMADE MILKY WAY CANDY BARS

Steps:

• Combine marshmallow cream and melted chocolate chips in a mixing bowl.
• Gently fold until thoroughly incorporated.
• Let stand, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• With your hands, form mixture into bars of desired size and place on cookie sheet lined with wax paper.
• (If mixture is too sticky to handle, it needs more melted chocolate.) Melt dipping chocolate or remaining chocolate chips in microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring every thirty seconds to prevent scorching.
• Dip bars into melted chocolate, and place back on cookie sheet.
• Put in freezer for about 10 minutes, or until chocolate sets.
• Variation: for Snickers bars, soften some caramels and flatten onto on bars before dipping in chocolate.
• Press peanuts into caramel, then harden bars in freezer for 5 minutes.
• Dip in chocolate according to the above instructions.