GIANT CANDY BARS RECIPES

Steps:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Bar can be made 3 days ahead; loosely cover and chill.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 12x4½- in (30x11-cm) baking pan and line with parchment paper.
• Make the shortbread: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the butter. Use your hands to work it into the flour until a dough forms. Transfer to the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Cover with foil.
• Bake for 45 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 45-60 minutes, until light golden brown. Let cool completely.
• Make the caramel filling: In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, cream, and salt. Over medium-high heat, bring the caramel to a boil and let cook for 5 minutes. 5. Then, reduce the heat to low and cook for 10 more minutes, until slightly deeper golden in color. Remove the pot from the heat.
• Pour the caramel over the shortbread cookie. Let cool in the refrigerator for 2 hours or until set.
• Once the cookie has chilled, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Make the chocolate ridges. Pour ? of the melted chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into a 13x5-inch (33x12 cm) rectangle.
• Lift the cookie out of the pan using the parchment paper, and remove the paper. Place the cookie on top of the chocolate rectangle. Pour the remaining melted chocolate on top of the caramel. Spread the chocolate to the edges in a zig-zag motion to create textured ridges. Return to the refrigerator for 20 minutes, until the chocolate hardens.
• While the cookie is chilling, make the chocolate glaze: Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt in the microwave in 30 seconds intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes.
• Remove the cookie from the refrigerator. Invert 2 jars or glasses on a baking sheet or piece of parchment paper. Set the cookie bar on the jars and pour the chocolate glaze over the cookie. Use a spatula to carefully push the chocolate over the edges of the cookie to coat the sides, being careful not to flatten the edges. Carefully return to the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour, until the chocolate is hardened. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
• Cut into ¾-inch (2 cm) thick slices with a sharp knife.
• Enjoy!