Peanut Crunch Bars

Name: Peanut Crunch Bars
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1.25 cup all-purpose flour (for crust); 1/2 tsp salt (for crust); 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (for crust); 1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed (for crust); 4 tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter (for peanut topping); 2/3 cup light corn syrup (for peanut topping); 1 2/3 cup (10 oz) peanut butter chips (for peanut topping); 2 tsp vanilla extract (for peanut topping); 2.25 cup (12 oz) salted peanuts (for peanut topping)

Sweet-and-salty crunchy peanut brittle strips with a brown sugar shortbread base and a peanut butter caramel-peanut topping.

1h 0m

Medium

0 favorites

Ingredients

all-purpose flour (for crust) 1.25 cup

salt (for crust) 1/2 tsp

unsalted butter, softened (for crust) 1/2 cup (1 stick)

light brown sugar, firmly packed (for crust) 1/2 cup

unsalted butter (for peanut topping) 4 tbsp (1/2 stick)

light corn syrup (for peanut topping) 2/3 cup

peanut butter chips (for peanut topping) 1 2/3 cup (10 oz)

vanilla extract (for peanut topping) 2 tsp

salted peanuts (for peanut topping) 2.25 cup (12 oz)

Instructions

Preparation

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch baking pan.

Mix dry crust ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt; set aside.

Make the crust dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), beat the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until well combined, about 1 minute. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour mixture, and mix until crumbly, about 10 to 15 seconds.

Bake the crust

Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Prick all over with a fork. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the edges are golden. Cool on a wire rack while you prepare the topping. Keep the oven on.

Make the peanut topping

In a large, heavy saucepan, combine the butter, corn syrup, and peanut butter chips. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the chips melt and the mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

Assemble and bake

Pour the topping over the crust and, using a spatula, spread it to the sides of the pan. Sprinkle the peanuts evenly over the topping and press them in gently. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the topping is bubbly. Cool completely on a wire rack set in the pan.

Cut into bars

Run a small, sharp knife around the edges of the pan to loosen. Carefully invert the slab onto the pan, then invert again onto a cutting board. Cut into 36 bars with a sharp knife.