Similar to Pay Day candy bars, Nutty nougat bars are a peanut lovers delight!  Made in the microwave, this recipe is easy enough for your kids to help. Six ingredients make a 9 X 13-inch pan.  With a chewy nougat and crunchy, dry roasted peanuts this sweet-salty combo is a winner!

Nutty Nougat Bars

3 and 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts, divided
One (10 ounce) package peanut butter chips (I use Reece’s)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
One (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
One (7 ounce) jar marshmallow crème
36 miniature Snickers candy bars, each bar cut into 4 pieces

Line a 9 X 13-inch pan with parchment paper. Sprinkle 1 and 3/4 cups peanuts in bottom of pan. In a large, microwave-safe bowl, heat peanut butter chips and butter on 50% power for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave in 30 second intervals on 50% power until chips melt. Stir until smooth. Add sweetened condensed milk. Cook 1 minute on high (100%) power. 

Add marshmallow crème. Stir until smooth. Add candy bars. Stir. Dollop mixture on top of peanuts then spread the dollop’s together (try to leave the peanuts in in the bottom of the pan in place). Sprinkle top of candy with remaining 1 and 3/4 cups dry roasted peanuts. Cover candy with plastic wrap then press peanuts into nougat mixture. 

Refrigerate until set, then store in refrigerator. Cut candy bars any size you like. This recipe will make about 117 one-inch squares of candy. Store in refrigerator for immediate eating or freeze for future use. Recipe adapted from B Timm.

Recipe published in The News and Neighbor on September 29, 2021.