SNICKERS BARS--CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CANDY

This great treat tastes like a Snicker's bar, but is homemade.  It's an award winner I picked up a year ago from a TASTE OF HOME reader.  It is very easy, but does take about 30-45 minutes to make because of the set up time involved in the layers--but WELL WORTH the time, believe me~  It gets raves from all who try it!  A real 'keeper!"

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CANDY

BOTTOM:

2 teaspoons butter

1 Cup milk chocolate chips

1/4 Cup butterscotch chips

1/4 C creamy peanut butter

FILLING:

1/4 Cup butter

1 Cup sugar

1/4 Cup evaporated milk

1 1/2 Cups marshmallow cream

1/4 Cup creamy peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 Cups chopped salted peanuts

CARAMEL LAYER:

1 pkg. (14 oz.) caramels

1/4 Cup heavy whipping cream

TOPPING:

1 Cup (6 oz.) milk chocolate chips

1/4 Cup butterscotch chips

1/4 Cup creamy peanut butter

For bottom:  Line a 13X9-inch pan with foil; butter the foil with the 2 teaspoons butter and set aside.  In a small saucepan, combine the milk chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and peanut butter.  Stir over low heat until melted and smooth.  Spread into the prepared pan.  Refrigerate until set.

For filling: melt butter over medium heat.  Add sugar and milk.  Bring to a GENTLE boil.  Reduce heat to low and boil and stir for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat, stir in marshmallow cream, peanut butter and vanilla.  Add peanuts.  Spread over the first layer.  Refrigerate until set.

For Caramel layer: combine caramels and cream, stirring over low heat until melted and smooth.  Cook and stir 4 minutes longer.  Spread over the filling.  Refrigerate until set.

For topping:  Combine chips and peanut butter.  Stir over low heat until melted and smooth.  Pour over the caramel layer.  Refrigerate at least 4 hours or over night. 

To cut: remove from refrigerator 20 minutes before cutting.  Remove from pan and cut into 1-inch squares.  Store in an airtight container.  YIELD:  about 8 dozen

NOTE:  Because I love almonds, I think this year I'll use ALMONDS instead of peanuts, like the SNICKER'S ALMOND bars--I think it would be great!