Health Take-5 Bars
With Halloween coming up, I was inspired to take the flavors of a Take 5 (one of my favorite childhood candies) and make something even better - and with more natural ingredients.
These did NOT disappoint! They have it all - pretzels, peanuts, chocolate, and an ooey gooey caramel filling... Its. So. GOOD!
You can also cut the bars into thirds to make the bites with a pretzel centered on each. Honestly, that’s what I did after taking this photo! Perfect for a little sweet bite after dinner.
Recipe makes 10 bars or 30 bites
Ingredients
10oz semi sweet chocolate chips, divided
1 cup peanut butter
6 Tbsp maple syrup
4 Tbsp almond milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
¼ cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
¼ cup small pretzels, roughly chopped
Whole small pretzels
Optional: Fleur de sel (topping salt)
Directions
Line a 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper.
Place 5oz of the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt by microwaving on 50% power for 1:00 at a time, stirring after each minute until fully melted. Pour it into the lined dish and use a spoon to spread it evenly and smooth the top as much as possible. Refrigerate while you make the filling.
For the filling, mix together the peanut butter, maple syrup, almond milk, vanilla, and salt until combined. If your peanut butter is thick, you may want to add another tbsp or 2 of almond milk. The mixture should be sticky and thick (not runny) like a chewy caramel.
When you get your consistency right, add the chopped peanuts and pretzels. Mix to combine.
Remove the chocolate layer from the refrigerator and place the filling on top, using a spoon or your hands to spread it and press it flat & smooth. Set it aside on the counter.
Melt the remaining 5oz of chocolate chips the same way you did before, then pour it on top of the filling layer and spread again until smooth.
Press whole pretzels into the top of the chocolate in rows. If you want, sprinkle with some fleur de sel.
Refrigerate for a little while to set, then cut into bars of or bites with 1 pretzel on each bite.
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.