Have you ever craved something sweet, only to find that you also want something salty? Well, that’s exactly how I felt when I came across the recipe for Salted Nut Squares. It’s a simple recipe that combines the best of both worlds – sweet and salty. Imagine biting into a square of nutty goodness, where each mouthful is a delightful blend of sweet marshmallows, creamy condensed milk, and peanut butter chips, all held together by the crunch of salty peanuts. It’s a treat that’s sure to satisfy your sweet and salty cravings in just one bite. What I love about this recipe is that it’s so easy to make. With just five ingredients and a few simple steps, you can whip up these delicious squares in no time. Plus, the recipe makes a generous batch, so they’re perfect for sharing with friends and family or for enjoying as a sweet treat throughout the week. So, if you’re a fan of sweet and salty treats, or if you’re just looking for a new recipe to try, I highly recommend giving these Salted Nut Squares a go. I promise, you won’t be disappointed!
Ingredients
- 3 c. salted peanuts without skins
- 3 Tbsp. butter or margarine
- 2 c. (12 oz.) peanut butter chips
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 c. miniature marshmallows
Baking Instructions
- Place half the peanuts in an ungreased 11 x 7-inch pan.
- In saucepan, melt butter and peanut butter chips over low heat.
- Add milk and marshmallows.
- Cook and stir until melted.
- Pour over peanuts.
- Sprinkle remaining peanuts on top.
- Cover; refrigerate. Cut into bars.
- Makes 5 to 6 dozen.
Calorie: 320
Total cooking time: 1 hour
Difficulty level: Easy
The Nutty Encounter with Salted Nut Squares
Let’s dive straight into the delicious world of Salted Nut Squares. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “A square made of nuts? I already deal with enough nuts in my life!” But trust me, these little squares of delight are the kind of nuts you’ll want more of, not less.
Grocery Shopping – A Battle with the Ingredients List
I started my journey in the grocery store, armed with my list: *3 c. salted peanuts without skins, 3 Tbsp. butter (or margarine if you’re feeling rebellious), 2 c. (12 oz.) peanut butter chips, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, and 2 c. miniature marshmallows*. The peanuts were a no-brainer, they’re the stars of the show after all. But I found myself locked in a staring contest with the myriad of peanut butter chip options. After a grueling five minutes, I decided to go with ‘extra creamy’ – because who doesn’t like things extra creamy, right?
The Melting Pot of Deliciousness
Back in my kitchen, it was time to get messy. I placed half the peanuts in an ungreased 11 x 7-inch pan. Easy peasy, peanut…squeezy? Next, I put on my mad scientist hat and began to melt the butter and peanut butter chips over low heat in a saucepan. The aroma of melting butter and peanut butter filled the kitchen and I had to resist the urge to dip a finger in. Food safety first, folks!
Marshmallow Monstrosity
Now, it was time to add the milk and marshmallows. If anyone ever tells you cooking isn’t exciting, just remember the thrill of watching marshmallows go from fluffy and innocent to a gooey, sticky monstrosity. I stirred continuously until everything was melted into a smooth concoction that looked like a fluffy cloud had made sweet love with a jar of peanut butter.
Pouring and Praying
I then poured this concoction over the peanuts in the pan. It was a moment of pure suspense, like pouring a bucket of water over a sleeping friend – except my friend was a pan of peanuts and the water was liquid peanut butter goodness. I held my breath, hoping I hadn’t messed up. But it looked right. It smelled right. So far, so good.
The Final Touches and the Agony of Waiting
I sprinkled the remaining peanuts on top and covered the pan, then placed it in the fridge. It was time to wait. Cut to me, pacing the kitchen, glancing at the fridge every two minutes, resisting the urge to check if it was ready yet.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity (but was actually just two hours), I cut them into bars. The result? A little piece of heaven, if I do say so myself.
Conclusion – The Nuts and Bolts of it
My kitchen might have looked like a marshmallow exploded in it. And I might have put on a one-woman performance of “Waiting for Godot” in front of my fridge. But in the end, the Salted Nut Squares were a hit. Sweet, salty, nutty, with a hint of buttery goodness, they were everything I hoped for and more.
So, in the spirit of sharing, go ahead and give it a try. Embrace the nuts! Just remember to clean up the marshmallow mess before it hardens into concrete, trust me on this one.
