Pay Day Candy Bar

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 5 unwrapped caramels
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon peanut butter
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 20 unwrapped caramels
• 1 1/2 teaspoons water
• 2 cups dry roasted peanuts

Recipe

• 1 combine all ingredients for the centers, except the powdered sugar, in a small saucepan over low heat.
• 2 stir often as the caramel slowly melts.
• 3 when the mixture is smooth, add 3/4 cup of powdered sugar.
• 4 stir.
• 5 save the remaining 1/2 cup of powdered sugar for later.
• 6 use a candy thermometer to bring the mixture to exactly 230 degrees, stirring often, then turn off the heat.
• 7 when the temperature of the candy begins to drop, add the remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar to the pan, then use a hand mixer on high speed to combine.
• 8 keep mixing until the candy cools and thickens and can no longer be mixed.
• 9 that should take a minute or two.
• 10 let the candy cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it can be touched.
• 11 don't let it sit too long- you want the candy to still be warm and pliable when you shape it.
• 12 take a tablespoon-size portion and roll it between your palms or on a countertop until it forms a roll the width of your index finger, and measuring about 4 1/2 inches long.
• 13 repeat with the remaining center candy mixture and place the rolls on wax paper.
• 14 you should have 8 rolls.
• 15 let the center rolls sit out for an hour or two to firm up.
• 16 combine the 20 caramels with the 1 1/2 teaspoons of water in a small saucepan over low heat.
• 17 stir often until the caramels melt completely, then turn off the heat.
• 18 if you work fast this caramel will stay warm while you make the candy bars.
• 19 pour the peanuts onto a baking sheet or other flat surface.
• 20 using a basting brush and working quickly,"paint" a coating of caramel onto one side of a center roll.
• 21 quickly turn the center over, caramel-side-down, onto the peanuts and press gently so that the peanuts stick to the surface of the candy.
• 22 paint more caramel onto the other side of the roll and press it down onto the peanuts.
• 23 the candy should have a solid layer of peanuts covering all sides.
• 24 if needed, brush additional caramel onto the roll, then turn it onto the peanuts to coat the roll completely.
• 25 place the candy bar onto wax paper, and repeat with the remaining ingredients.
• 26 eat when completely cool.