OK. Save this recipe for a day that you spent 4 hours cleaning up the tree that blew down in the windstorm nearly a month ago and has been ignored by the strong member of the household (but when pressed about it, he did actually cut it into pieces that I could handle). Do the tree project while he is gone. When he comes home and complains the laundry is not done, but does not even notice the beautiful tree-free lawn that Bob and I spent HOURS of backbreaking work cleaning up, you have my permission to eat the WHOLE PAN. But I digress.............Snickers Fudge:
There are a lot of steps to this, but don't panic. It does not take long for each layer to set up in the fridge. Here is what you are going to need:
1st layer:
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1/4 cup peanut butter
2nd layer:
4 Tablespoons butter (That is 1/2 stick) or margarine
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup evaporated milk (OK. I did not want to open a whole can of evap milk for 1/4 cup of it,
so I used heavy cream instead)
1 1/2 cups marshmallow cream. (I guessed--- have you ever tried to measure this stuff??)
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup chopped (not too fine) salted peanuts
3rd layer:
14 oz. package caramel candies, unwrapped
1/4 cup heavy cream
4th Layer:
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1/4 cup peanut butter
OK. How to do it:
Butter a 9" x 13" pan
1st layer:
In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt all 3 ingredients together until smooth. Spread over the bottom of the pan. (the INSIDE, Dennis) Put in fridge until hard.
2nd layer:
In a heavy pan (We just used the same pan without washing it but we had cleaned it out pretty good.... OK. yes, we licked the pan--- for every layer we made.....and we are not ashamed!!), melt butter over med. heat. Mix in sugar and milk. Bring to a boil and let boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. (keep stirring.... it WILL burn if you do not... if your arm gets tired, switch hands) It will start to caramalize when it is ready. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the marshmallow cream, peanut butter and vanilla. When that is smooth and fully mixed, add the peanuts. Pour it over the set chocolate layer and spread evenly. Return to the fridge. Visit with the kids and grandson for a while while it sets up. (Watch Loony Tunes with the grandson)
3rd layer:
Mix the caramels and cream in a heavy saucepan (sorry, you want a clean pan this time). Cook over low heat, stirring until caramels are melted and smooth. Pour into pan and spread on top of 2nd layer. It helps to use an ofset spatula to do these layers. (and if you are working together, with one person pouring, and the other spreading, be careful not to overlap and pour boiling hot sugary stuff all over your sister's hand. I will never forget that even though it happened 40 some years ago. Everytime I work with someone pouring and spreading, the memory comes screaming back. Sorry Carol... I STILL feel bad about that one)
4th layer:
Now, if you have a glasstop electric stove like I do, as soom as you have licked the last of the caramel goodness from your pan, you can wash it, dry it out and put the ingredients in for the 4th layer. Put it back on the stove (turned OFF) and go chill while the 3rd layer sets up. By that time, It will be all melty, and all you have to do is stir it and spread it over the 3rd layer. If you use a gas stove, you will need to put all 3 ingredients into a pan and stir them over low heat until they are melted.
The instructions said to refrigerate at least 1 hour before cutting into squares. BAH. When it looks set, just go ahead and cut yourself a big piece. Remember, this morning you worked off all those calories and whatever calories will show up in your dinner tonight doing SOMEONE ELSE's work. Did I mention my back hurts? I think I will have another square................