Vanilla Nougat Candy Bar Bars Recipes

Steps:

• Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper, leaving 2 inches of overhang on each side.
• For the nougat: Combine the peanut butter, vanilla and marshmallow cream in a large mixing bowl and reserve. Combine the sugar, cream and butter in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir with a heatproof spatula until the sugar dissolves. Fit the saucepan with a candy thermometer and continue monitoring until the mixture starts to turn a light amber color and the temperature reaches 250 degrees F, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Once your nougat hits 250 degrees F, remove from the heat and add to the marshmallow mixture. Mix together to completely combine, but don't overwork. The mixture should be light and fluffy. Turn out the nougat into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a rubber spatula coated in nonstick spray. Place in the refrigerator to cool and get going on your next layer, the caramel.
• For the caramel filling: Add the sugar, cream and corn syrup to a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Carefully stir to combine with a heatproof spatula until the sugar dissolves and bring the mixture to a boil. Stop stirring and boil until the mixture begins to turn an amber color and reaches 250 degrees F, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter, carefully, as it will foam up. (Adding the butter at the end will stop the cooking and keeps your caramel soft and chewy.) Keep stirring until it's all dissolved, and then stir in the peanuts. As tempting as it may be, never stick your finger in hot caramel to taste, sugar burns and hurts!
• Pour the caramel over the nougat and spread evenly with the spatula. Place in the refrigerator until the caramel is completely cool, 15 minutes.
• Transfer the candy to a cutting board. Cut lengthwise into thirds and then across in nine 1-inch rectangles, using a sharp knife that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. You can mark the caramel nougat with your knife as a guide before cutting out your bars.
• For the chocolate: Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir occasionally until the chocolate has melted and is smooth, 8 to10 minutes. Dip each candy piece and completely cover with chocolate on all sides, using two forks, allowing the excess to drip off. Place on a wire cooling rack for the excess to drip off while you dip all of the bars. Once the bars are dipped, transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and allow the chocolate to set in the fridge at least 20 minutes.

Steps:

• For the candy bars: Spray the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper that hangs over the edge of the pan by 1 inch.
• Add 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut oil to a heatproof glass bowl and place the bowl over a simmering pot of water. Let cook, stirring the chocolate, until it has melted completely, about 5 minutes. Pour into the prepared pan, covering the bottom. Place in the freezer until set, 1 to 2 hours.
• Mix together the powdered sugar, marshmallow creme, peanut butter and milk in a medium bowl until it has a soft, doughlike consistency (this mixture is incredibly sticky, and you may need to use your hands). Remove the pan from the freezer, then wet your fingertips and press the marshmallow filling down over the chocolate in an even layer. Sprinkle the peanuts on top and press lightly into the filling. Set aside.
• Add the caramels and cream to a small saucepot and cook over low heat, stirring, until the caramels are melted, 5 to 8 minutes. Spread the caramel over the marshmallow filling and place in the refrigerator for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the remaining 1 1/2 cups chocolate and 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut oil in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Spread the chocolate over the top of the caramel, then place back in the refrigerator until chocolate is fully set and hardened, about 1 hour.
• Using the parchment, pull the candy out of the pan, then run a knife under warm water and cut into 14 bars. Cut 6 of the bars into small chunks to be used in the salad. (Refrigerate the remaining bars for another use.)
• For the pudding: Meanwhile, combine the flour, granulated sugar and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the egg yolks, then the heavy cream. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it's thickened and coats the back of a spoon, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and pour the mixture into a heatproof bowl. Cover with plastic wrap pressed against the surface of the pudding. Refrigerate until cooled, about 1 hour or up to overnight.
• For the salad: Add the cream and powdered sugar to a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Reserve 2 cups whipped cream in a separate bowl for the topping. Fold the pudding into the remaining whipped cream, then gently fold in the apple slices and candy bar pieces. Serve the salad in individual glass jars or bowls garnished with dollops of whipped cream and sprinkles.

Steps:

• Combine the cornstarch and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper with wings coming up a few inches off the sides. Spray it with cooking spray, then dust it with half of the cornstarch mixture. Set the pan and the rest of the mixture aside.
• Combine the honey, 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar and 1 3/4 cups water in a large saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer and stir to combine. Place over medium-high heat and cook until the mixture reaches 305 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, position a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment near the stove. Place the egg whites and salt in the bowl of the mixer.
• Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Reduce the speed to medium and beat in the remaining tablespoon granulated sugar. (Do this while keeping an eye on the honey so you don't burn it.)
• As soon as the honey reaches 305 degrees F, turn the mixer speed to medium-low and add it to the egg whites in a steady drizzle. Then turn the mixer to high and beat until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and spray a rubber spatula with cooking spray. Add the nuts to the mixture and fold with the sprayed spatula to combine. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan. Press it into an even layer, then sprinkle on the remaining cornstarch mixture and let cool, a few hours. Use the parchment wings to remove the nougat to a board. Cut the nougat into 1-inch squares.
• Set up a sheet pan with a rack and set aside.
• Heat the semisweet chocolate with 1/2 tablespoon oil in a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until melted, 1 1/2 minutes total. Repeat with the ruby chips and remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil. Brushing off the excess powdered sugar from the top of each, dip half of the squares in the regular chocolate and half in the ruby chocolate, spooning some over the tops so that they are completely covered. Use a fork to remove the squares from the chocolate and place on the prepared rack. Sprinkle with sprinkles, if using. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set, about 10 minutes, or let set at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Serve at room temperature.

Steps:

• 1. Combine corn syrup, butter, vanilla, peanut butter and salt until creamy. Mix in the confectioners' sugar. When the mixture is very thick, press it into a lightly greased 9x9 inch pan. Refrigerate. Melt the caramels in a double boiler over hot water. When soft, mix in the peanuts. Pour over the mixture in the pan. Refrigerate. Melt the chocolate in a microwave oven set on high for 2 minutes. Stir halfway through cooking time. When the mixture in the pan is firm, cut it into 2x1 inch bars. Spear a bar on a fork and dip into the melted chocolate. Tap to knock off any excess drips. If you like, roll into finely chopped peanuts. Place on waxed paper to cool to room temperature.

Steps:

• Lightly coat a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Line it with parchment paper and lightly spray the parchment, too. In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium high heat, stir together sugar, 1/2 cup water, corn syrup, and salt. Boil until the temperature reaches 238°F. Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip egg whites on medium speed until they hold soft peaks, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, slowly pour half of the hot syrup into egg whites, beginning with just 1 to 2 tablespoons and then gradually pouring in the rest (adding just a little syrup at first warms up the egg whites and prevents them from scrambling). Immediately return saucepan with the remaining hot syrup to medium-high heat and bring to a boil; continue beating egg-white mixture until thick, with the consistency of marshmallow crème, then turn off mixer. When the syrup temperature reaches 275°F, turn mixer on at medium speed and slowly pour in syrup. Increase mixer speed to high and beat for 10 to 12 minutes, until mixture is very thick, heavy, and beginning to lose its gloss; the bowl should be cool except for the very bottom. Scrape mixture into prepared pan and spread it into the corners with lightly oiled hands or an offset spatula. Let set at room temperature until completely cool and firm, about 2 hours. Invert nougat onto a cutting surface and remove the parchment. The slab should be sticky side up (the side that was exposed to the air while setting should be dry and not sticky when touched). Cut into 1-inch squares and place squares sticky side up on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Pour melted chocolate into a small zip-top bag. Use scissors to snip off the corner of the bag. Drizzle a bit of chocolate over each nougat square and sprinkle chopped nuts on top. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 5 minutes, before serving. If the egg whites hold soft peaks before the syrup temperature reaches 238°F, stop the mixer-you want the whipped whites to be ready and waiting for the syrup, not the other way around. This soft nougat is the perfect base for all kinds of creative confectioneries. Flavor it as you like (peppermint holiday nougat, anyone?), fold in dried fruits and nuts for a riff on Italian torrone, or use it as inspiration for your own homemade candy bars.

Steps:

• Make the peanut caramel:
• Line bottom and sides of loaf pan with foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. Lightly coat foil with nonstick spray.
• Gently stir sugar and 1/4 cup water in a large saucepan. Heat over medium and cook, brushing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush if needed and swirling pan gently (do not stir), until sugar is amber-brown, 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Carefully add cream in a steady stream, stirring with a silicone spatula (it will bubble up violently); if it looks like it may boil over, stop adding cream and stir to break up bubbles. Stir in butter until melted and smooth.
• Fit saucepan with candy thermometer and heat over medium. Cook, undisturbed, until mixture reaches 245°F (almost firm-ball stage). Immediately add peanuts and salt and carefully stir to combine. Quickly transfer peanut mixture to prepared pan and press into an even layer with a spatula. Let sit at room temperature until set, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Make the nougat:
• Beat egg whites in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on medium speed until soft peaks form. Meanwhile, fit a small saucepan with candy thermometer. Pour 1/2 cup water into saucepan, add sugar, and gently stir to combine. Heat over medium and cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and continue to cook, brushing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush if needed and swirling pan gently (do not stir), until mixture reaches 255°F. Return mixer speed to medium, then add sugar mixture in a slow, steady stream to egg whites down side of bowl.
• Increase mixer speed to medium-high and continue to beat until bowl feels warm to the touch and mixture is thick, tacky, and opaque white, about 8 minutes. Add peanut butter and salt and fold gently with a spatula until incorporated.
• Scoop peanut butter mixture onto peanut caramel; gently press into an even layer. Let sit at room temperature until set, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Make the chocolate coating:
• Heat chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water (bowl should not touch water), stirring, until melted. Remove from heat and, stirring constantly, add oil. Let cool, stirring occasionally, until chocolate firms slightly, about 10 minutes.
• Pour one-third of chocolate mixture over nougat; reserve remaining chocolate mixture at room temperature. Chill until set, at least 20 minutes.
• Cut a piece of parchment roughly the same size as top of loaf pan; press over set chocolate. Place a wire rack over pan. Holding pan and rack together, invert quickly. Remove pan, then peel off parchment. Set rack inside a rimmed baking sheet lined with waxed paper.
• Slowly pour reserved chocolate mixture over loaf; coat tops completely and let run down sides (use an offset spatula to coat sides completely if needed), pouring a little extra down center of bar. If you run out of chocolate mixture, carefully lift rack off pan, then remove waxed paper with chocolate drippings. Return rack to pan and pour chocolate drippings over. Chill until firm, about 45 minutes.
• Let sit at room temperature 10 minutes, then cut crosswise into 16-20 slices.
• Do Ahead
• Bar can be made 3 days ahead; loosely cover and chill.

Steps:

• 1 Put the ice in a medium bowl and set aside.
• 2 Put the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and set aside.
• 3 Stir together the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and continue to boil without stirring until the mixture reaches 235°F/114°C on a candy thermometer, about 6 minutes.
• 4 Begin whipping the egg whites on low speed for about 1 minute, just until they are a little frothy. Continue cooking the sugar syrup until it reaches 245°F/118°C. (If your temperature goes higher, shock the syrup by setting the pan in the bowl of ice.) Pour a splash of the syrup into the egg whites, aiming for the space between the rim of the bowl and the whisk attachment. Continue whisking as you slowly add the rest of the hot sugar syrup. Increase the mixer speed to medium and whip until the nougat reaches a full, frothy foam, about 2 minutes.
• 5 Add the vanilla seeds and salt to the nougat. Keep whipping until it forms stiff peaks, about 3 minutes more. Allow to cool in the bowl. Once it is at room temperature, it's ready to use in candy-bar production.