Peanut Caramel Brownie Bites

Name: Peanut Caramel Brownie Bites
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 4 dozen.
Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter, cubed and softened; 2/3 cup sugar; 2 tablespoons water; 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; CANDY BAR TOPPING:; 1 cup sugar; 1/4 cup butter, cubed; 1/4 cup 2% milk; 1 cup marshmallow creme; 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, divided; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2-1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts, divided; 40 caramels; 2 tablespoons water; 1-1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 1 hour + chilling Bake: 20 min. + cooling YIELD: 4 dozen.

With their multiple decadent layers, these brownies are my family's absolute favorite. —Ella Agans, Birch Tree, Missouri

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, cubed and softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
CANDY BAR TOPPING:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup 2% milk
1 cup marshmallow creme
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, divided
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts, divided
40 caramels
2 tablespoons water
1-1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13x9-in. baking pan with foil, letting ends extend up sides; coat foil with cooking spray.
2. Microwave butter, sugar and water on high just until mixture comes to a boil, 3-4 minutes; stir until blended. Stir in chocolate chips until melted. Whisk in eggs, 1 at a time, stirring well after each addition. Whisk in vanilla. Stir in flour and baking powder.
3. Spread into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 18-20 minutes. Cool 30 minutes.
4. For topping, combine sugar, butter and milk in a large saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly, over medium heat. Boil 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in marshmallow creme, 1/4 cup peanut butter and vanilla; pour over brownies. Sprinkle with 2 cups peanuts.
5. In a small saucepan, combine caramels and water; cook, stirring, over medium-high heat until blended. Pour over peanuts.
6. Microwave chocolate chips on high until softened, about 1 minute. Stir in remaining peanut butter until smooth; pour over caramel layer. Chop remaining peanuts; sprinkle on top. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
7. Lifting with foil, remove brownies from pan. Cut into bites. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 212 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 135mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.