(Note: this post was originally published on October 25, 2020. The date above reflects migration to the new platform.)
I'm happy to report that I've stumbled upon dessert heaven. No joke, these are one of the most delicious things I've ever created, and I've been making them again and again. I feel guilty for keeping them to myself for so long, but I wanted to share them for Halloween since they're a remake of a classic candy bar. Get ready for reinvented Snickers bars!
I've been seeing various Snickers creations around Instagram recently and wanted to try my own version. I was particularly inspired by the "Snickers Brownies" from Broma Bakery, which are unbelievably beautiful. My mission: to make a snickers-inspired brownie with simple whole food ingredients and natural sweeteners.
Not to brag, but I killed it. These are epic.
The bottom layer of these bars is the most delicious, chocolatey, fudgy brownie. The secret ingredient? Dates! They create a brownie that is so moist and rich, and completely fruit-sweetened as well. Load them up with chocolate chips for good measure.
The second layer is a caramel of sorts, but one that is super easy to put together and requires only three ingredients: peanut butter, maple syrup, and maybe a tiny bit of coconut oil depending on the consistency of your peanut butter. Thanks to my foodie friend Andrea (@Sweet.In.Nature) for introducing me to the life-altering concept of peanut butter caramel!
Finally, you'll top the whole creation off with peanuts, a drizzle of dark chocolate, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The combination of the crunchy nuts with the soft caramel below and the fudgy brownie at the bottom really takes these over the top. If you really want to go crazy, an additional drizzle of your favorite caramel sauce would be wonderful and totally on-theme.
Amazingly, these "Snickers" are essentially just fruit and nuts. They're so rich and indulgent, but they fuel the body as well. They're loaded with protein from the peanut butter and peanuts, fiber from the dates, and won't leave you in a sugar crash afterward. The other thing that's great about these bars is the balance of sweet and salty; don't forget the little sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top, it makes the bars so addicting.
A few useful things to think about before you dive in. Most importantly, these delightful treats do require a couple different steps. First you'll bake and then cool the brownies, then you'll make and add the peanut butter caramel and let it set, then you'll add the chocolate drizzle and let it harden. Nothing about them is difficult or terribly hands-on, but there is a bit of waiting time between the steps, so this isn't a good recipe to dive into when you're in a rush.
Additionally, please cool these bars completely before you try to cut them! The temptation to dive into them warm will be extreme, but you'll get much cleaner cuts if you chill them first. This means you'll need to think ahead a bit, but that's a small price to pay for these epic Snickers Brownies!
In terms of storage, I'd suggest keeping these in the fridge. The caramel layer will keep its shape better when it's cool, and the chocolate drizzle will stay neater that way too.
Here's what you'll need for this recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
Were you a Snickers fan as a kid? Believe it or not, I actually didn't like nuts (gasp!!!), so I was never very excited about Snickers when they appeared in my trick-or-treating bag. But now that I'm a nut fiend, I wish in retrospect I had enjoyed them more as a kid. I guess that's okay though, these Snickers-inspired bars are so much better!
We've been loving these bars for dessert, and also lunch! Given their ingredients, I think Snickers for lunch is totally fair game, right?? Enjoy and happy Halloween!
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
These decadent treats unite fudgy brownies and an indulgent peanut butter caramel for a magical Snickers-like experience. Even better, they're made from good-for-the-body ingredients like dates! Can you believe they're flourless and fruit sweetened??
For the Brownies
For the Peanut Butter Caramel
For the Toppings
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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