Chocolate Brittle Surprise Recipe

"Like chocolate-covered toffee! Disappears like magic! Great for holiday parties, gifts!"  Original recipe yield: 2 dozen.

INGREDIENTS:
35 unsalted soda crackers
1 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Cover cookie sheet with foil. Spray foil with cooking oil spray.
Place crackers on foil in 5 x 7 inch rows.
Microwave butter on high for 2 minutes. Add brown sugar and stir. Microwave on high for 2 more minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
Pour over crackers. Bake 17 - 20 minutes (should bubble but not burn).
Sprinkle chocolate chips over hot crackers. Spread after 2 minutes (chips have softened). Sprinkle nuts on top.

Refrigerate 1 hour. Break into pieces. Can be frozen.

Chocolate Caramel Candy

"A wonderful Thanksgiving or Christmas treat!"  Original recipe yield: 8 dozen 1 inch squares.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chopped salted peanuts
14 ounces individually wrapped caramels
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

DIRECTIONS:

Lightly grease one 13x9 inch pan.

To Make Base: Combine the first three ingredients (1 cup milk chocolate chips, 1/4 cup butterscotch chips and 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter) in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, over low heat until melted and smooth. Spread into the bottom of the prepared pan. Refrigerate until set.

To Make Filling: In a heavy saucepan melt the butter over medium-high heat. Stir in sugar and evaporated milk. Bring mixture to a boil and stir for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the marshmallow cream, 1/4 cup of the peanut butter and the vanilla. Add the peanuts and spread over the base layer. Refrigerate until set.

To Make Caramel Layer: Combine the caramels and cream in a saucepan, stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Spread over the top of the filling and refrigerate until smooth.

To Make Frosting Layer: In another saucepan combine the last three ingredients (1 cup milk chocolate chips, 1/4 butterscotch chips and 1/4 cup peanut butter), stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Pour over the caramel layer. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Cut into 1 inch squares. Store in the refrigerator.

Chocolate Caramels

"Homemade chocolate caramels will liven up any party."  Original recipe yield: 64 caramels.

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar, granulated
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 cup light corn syrup
1 (14 ounce) can NESTLE® CARNATION® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 (2 ounce) bar NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE® Unsweetened Chocolate Baking Bar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:
COMBINE butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and corn syrup in heavy-duty 2 1/2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture boils and butter is melted. Add condensed milk and chocolate; stir constantly until chocolate is melted. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until mixture reaches 245 degrees F. on candy thermometer, about 25 to 35 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Cool.
LIFT from pan; remove foil. Cut into 1-inch squares and wrap individually in plastic wrap, twisting ends. Store at room temperature; use within 7 to 10 days.

NOTE: If caramels become too firm to cut, soften slightly in microwave oven on DEFROST for about 2 minutes; or warm in 200 degrees F. oven for about 5 minutes.