Salty & Sweet Caramel & Peanut Butter Crunch Bars

These yummy, crunchy treats are reminiscent of Twix bars.  They have a caramel & peanut butter filling between layers of buttery, salty crackers, and are totally enrobed in milk chocolate and sprinkled with toffee pieces.  Yummy!

Ingredients:

Buttery crackers, 1 box (I used Club crackers)
12 T butter
1/2 c whole milk
3/4 c granulated sugar
3/4 c brown sugar
1/3 c creamy peanut butter
1 3/4 c graham cracker crumbs
2 1/2 - 3 c milk chocolate chips
2 T Crisco
Toffee pieces

Spray a 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray.  Line with wax paper and lightly spray again.  Put down 1 layer of crackers.  Set aside.

In a large saucepan place butter, milk, sugars & peanut butter; stir until butter & peanut butter are melted. Bring to a boil over medium low heat and whisk in the graham cracker crumbs.  Boil for 5 minutes, watching carefully and whisking every few minutes.  Mixture will darken.  Take care not to burn.  Remove from heat and pour half over the crackers in the pan.  Spread evenly with an offset spatula. Place another layer of crackers on top and pour the remaining mixture over those, spreading evenly.  Add one last layer of crackers and press down gently.  Let set up at room temperature for at least 2 hours.

Once layers are firm, turn out onto a cutting board.  With a large, sharp knife cut between the crackers to separate them into bars.  Place parchment paper or wax paper on a baking sheet; set aside. Prepare the chocolate.  In a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water (or top of double boiler), melt together chocolate chips & Crisco.  Heat only until chocolate chips become shiny and then stir until well blended and smooth.

Situate the baking sheet next to the melted chocolate.  With 2 forks, dip each bar into the chocolate until completed covered. Let excess drip back into the pot and place bar onto the baking sheet.  Repeat for all bars.  Sprinkle toffee piece on top and allow to set up before serving.

This recipe adapted from Michael Symon's recipe on The Chew.