It doesn’t get much better than a homemade candy bar! Homemade Take 5 bars with layers of milk chocolate, peanut butter, pretzels, caramel and peanuts are insane, out of control, and maybe one of the best things ever.

Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Caramel and Pretzel Candy Bars (Homemade Take 5 Bars) from completelydelicious.com

I rarely let myself have candy. With all of the homemade treats coming out of my kitchen, I just don’t have the calories to spare. I could say that I’m above candy, that I don’t like it, or that I’d rather have something sweet I baked myself, but that wouldn’t be completely true. My sweet tooth is nondiscriminatory.

So when a bowl of candy got passed around during card games with my family during our vacation a few weeks ago, you better believe I pigged out had some. And halfway through a snack size Take 5 bar I thought this is so good, followed shortly by but I could make a homemade version that would be even better.

And so I did. 

Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Caramel and Pretzel Candy Bars (Homemade Take 5 Bars) from completelydelicious.com

You see, ever since I discovered how easy it is to make homemade snickers, I’ve been doomed. It’s a way around my “no candy” policy and my hips are not happy with me. But homemade candy bars are surprisingly easy to make (though they do take a bit of time and dirty a few dishes) and the end result is way better than what you can buy. Totally worth the little extra jiggle, in my opinion.

With their 5 layers of awesomeness— peanut butter, pretzels, caramel, peanuts, and chocolate— these homemade candy bars have a sweet and salty thing going on that is incredibly addicting. I’ll just warn you now, you’re going to want to eat the entire pan, so make sure you have friends and family nearby to help.

Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Caramel and Pretzel Candy Bars (Homemade Take 5 Bars) from completelydelicious.com

Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Caramel and Pretzel Candy Bars (Homemade Take 5 Bars) from completelydelicious.com
4.34 from 3 reviews

Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Caramel and Pretzel Candy Bars

Servings: 30 bars
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Homemade Take 5 Bars - with layers of chocolate, peanut butter, pretzels, caramel and peanuts.

Ingredients
 

Bottom Chocolate Layer:

  • 1 ¼ cup milk chocolate chips (255 grams)
  • ¼ cup smooth peanut butter (70 grams)

Peanut Butter & Pretzel Layers:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (113 grams)
  • 1 cup smooth or crunchy peanut butter (240 grams)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (500 grams)
  • 2 cups mini pretzels (65 grams)

Caramel & Peanut Layers:

  • 14 oz bag caramels , unwrapped (400 grams)
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream (60 ml)
  • 1 cup salted peanuts (140 grams)

Top Chocolate Layer:

  • 1 ¼ cup milk chocolate chips (255 grams)
  • ¼ cup smooth peanut butter (70 grams)

Instructions
 

  • To make the bottom layer, set a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Melt the milk chocolate and peanut butter, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and spread into a 9x13-inch pan lined with parchment paper or greased foil. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes.
  • To make the peanut butter layer, beat the butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar in a stand mixer or with a hand-held mixer until smooth and creamy. Spread over the bottom chocolate layer. Cover with the pretzels.
  • To make the caramel layer, place the caramels and heavy cream in a small saucepan and set over medium low heat. Heat until caramels melt and mixture is smooth, stirring frequently. Immediately spread on top of the pretzels, then top with the peanuts. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • To make the top chocolate layer, set a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Melt the milk chocolate and peanut butter, stirring until smooth. Pour on top of the bars and return to the fridge for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
  • Bars will become soft if left at room temperature, store in the fridge.
Calories: 312kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 195mg, Potassium: 159mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 163IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 49mg, Iron: 1mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Annalise
Have you tried this recipe?I’d love to hear about it! Leave a rating and review below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram @completelydelicious with #completelydelicious.