Halloween is almost here. Can you believe it? It seems like October just started and now we are about to bid it adieu. Are you dressing up for Halloween? I’m not. But MaxE is! He is super excited about it too. Or not. He gets kind of cranky when I put on his costume. 🙂
Granted, I have never meet a cat that liked to wear clothes. It must be a rule or something. Now I know most cats don’t like water either, but MaxE LOVES running water. The other day, he sat in between the shower liner and curtain while I took a shower.
And no—he’s not a pervert! He wasn’t even paying attention to me. He was solely focused on the little bit of water that drips from the bath faucet. He kept sticking his paw out to catch the drips while his tail hung beneath the shower liner. It got wet, but he didn’t mind.
Now, when I sprinkle water on him for fun, he gets mad. Go figure.
Anyway, MaxE isn’t looking forward to Halloween, but I am. Partly to see MaxE act so put upon for having to dress up and because I also have a pan of these delicious bars to enjoy.
They are made up of my favorite things: shortbread, caramel and chocolate and peanut butter. They are referred to as millionaire bars, and I completely understand why. You feel like a king (or queen) while munching on these decadent and rich bad boys. You can decorate these with Reeses Pieces to dress them up for Halloween but that is completely optional.
Ingredients
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup flour
- 1 bag (14 oz) Kraft caramels, unwrapped
- 4 Tablespoons peanut butter, divided
- 1 Tablespoons heavy cream (I used 2% milk instead)
- 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
- 1/2 cup mini Reese’s Pieces, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8×8 pan with aluminmum foil and spray with non-stick spray.
- For the Shortbread Layer: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and then stir in flour. Press into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until crust is slightly golden brown. Cool about 20 minutes.
- For Caramel Layer: In a microwaveable bowl, add caramels and 2 Tablespoons peanut butter. Heat for 40 seconds on high, stir, then microwave for an additional 10-20 seconds. Add heavy cream (or milk) and stir until smooth. Quickly spread over shortbread with a spoon or spatula coated with non-stick spray. Rest for 10 minutes to allow caramel to harden.
- For Chocolate Layer: Combine chocolate chips and 2 Tablespoons peanut butter in a microwaveable bowl and heat for 30-45 seconds on High. Stir until smooth then spread evenly over caramel layer.
- Top with Reese’s Pieces, slightly pushing into chocolate layer, if desired. Chill for several hours or until completely firm.
Notes
Let the bars come back up to room temperature before cutting into bars.
Recipe from Crazy for Crust
Enjoy!
Tanya
Yum, that sounds good!! I’ve always wondered what went into shortbread – no wonder it’s so delicious, it’s all butter and sugar! 🙂
It was delicious, Anna! Very, very rich. 🙂 Shortbread is my favorite cookie; I love it even more than chocolate chip! Butter and sugar can’t be beat!
Yum!!!! Looks awesome, Tanya! I rarely eat candy bars and the like, but today is definitely an exception. 🙂 I trust you’ll be posting Max E’s pic today?
It’s not quite Halloween if you don’t indulge in a little bit candy, right?!?! These are definitely good and really pretty easy to make too. Oh yes, MaxE’s pic if up, much to his great displeasure!
This looks so yummy. I tell you girl, you must have the best job ever!
How do you get inspired to come up with these recipes?
Thanks, Corina! It’s definitely a lot of fun but not particularly kind to my waistline! And lately there have been so sweets getting ready for Christmas. I like sweets but my sweet tooth hurts right now! 🙂 I can’t take credit as many recipes are inspired or from fellow food bloggers.
I would definitely loose the battle of the bulge if I were a food blogger :).
A friend of mine bakes some awesome stuff around the holidays. I miss her and her cookies :).
You’re inspired by some very talented bloggers :). Thanks for sharing this with us!
Well, I figure I have a responsibility to make sure the recipes are edible! 🙂 Holiday baking is so much fun. The hard part is my family doesn’t live nearby so much of the holiday treats I bake never make it home, although I’m sure my friends here don’t mind. LOL!
Oh my is right! 🙂 I love chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel… and you got ’em all in one yummy treat! Will be trying these soon!
I know—all my favorites together too. So yummy and very rich! I could only eat a small piece at a time. Of course, that just means I ate multiple small pieces throughout the day! Hope you enjoy them!!
I am a horrible baker. Me and recipes don’t get a long so much and baking is a science. These do look super yummy though so maybe I’ll make the attempt to do them!
I used to be less of baker too. Partly because I tend to crave savory over sweet, but sweet treats are what everyone seems to love! This would be a great recipe to start because it’s quite easy and makes use of lots of convenience items too. Give it a try – you might just be baker!
Looks absolutely delicious – very naughty, but VERY nice!
So true, Susan! Delicious but naughty … and the delicious part won out for me! 🙂
Kraft caramels were my favorite Halloween treat and I know you love caramels in your desserts too. These treats look fun and easy to make. We will have to give them a try sometime.
Yeah, we both lover our caramels. And I love that this recipe uses Kraft caramels as it definitely makes it easier to whip up. They taste great and really were a snap to whip up. Definitely give them a try sometimes. You can skip the Reeses Pieces or use what holiday variety they have out to make them look festive.
Ok, Tanya. Those look way too good to even know about, much less get the recipe! Irresistible!
HeHeHeHe….I’m evil sometimes! 🙂 They are pretty irresistible. Something that is definitely not safe in my house. It needs to be shared!
Now this is something I can sink my teeth into! After I beat off my kids from trying to steal the whole batch! Yum yum yum!
LOL! This is a dessert that appeals to everyone! It was so yummy and rich. And honestly not hard to make either, which may be a bad thing too. 🙂
OMG! This is totally delish!! I’m gonna have to save this so I can make it later! 🙂 Mmmm…. yummy!
It’s is absolutely yummy! You’ll love it, Bren!