Peanutty Chex Squares Recipes

BROWN BUTTER-PEANUT CHEX™ BARS

Steps:

• Spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
• In 6-quart Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly, until butter turns deep golden brown.
• Add marshmallows; stir until completely melted and mixture is well blended, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add cereal and peanuts; mix well. Using a spatula sprayed with cooking spray, press mixture evenly into pan. Cool 15 minutes.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and oil uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds. Stir until smooth. Drizzle over bars. Sprinkle with salt. Refrigerate about 45 minutes or until chocolate is set. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 3 rows.

SALTY PEANUT SQUARES

Steps:

• Place half of the corn chips and peanuts in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. pan; set aside. In a large saucepan, bring the corn syrup and sugar to a boil. Stir in peanut butter until blended. Drizzle half over corn chip mixture in pan. , Add remaining corn chips and peanuts to remaining syrup; stir until combined. Spoon over mixture in pan; press down lightly. Drizzle with melted chocolate. Cool before cutting.

PEANUT BUTTER SQUARES

Steps:

• Mix powdered sugar and cracker crumbs in medium bowl. Heat butter and peanut butter in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted. Stir into crumb mixture. Press in ungreased square pan, 8x8x2 inches.
• Heat chocolate chips in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted. Spread over crumb mixture. Immediately sprinkle with candy decorations. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until firm. Cut into 6 rows by 6 rows. (To cut diamond shapes, first cut straight parallel lines 1 to 1 1/2 inches apart down the length of the pan. Second, cut diagonal lines 1 to 1 1/2 inches apart across the straight cuts.) Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

PEANUT SQUARES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray; line with cooking parchment paper, leaving a few inches of overhang on each side.
• In large bowl, beat eggs with electric mixer on medium-high speed 1 minute. Slowly beat in granulated sugar, then beat 4 minutes longer. Eggs should be pale in color and fall in thick ribbons back into bowl.
• In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt. Add to egg mixture all at once; beat on low speed just until incorporated. In small bowl, beat together 1 cup milk, the melted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add to mixture in 2 additions. Pour batter in pan.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until cake is golden and center springs back when lightly pressed. Cool in pan 15 minutes, then use overhanging parchment to carefully lift cake out of pan, and transfer to rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, beat powdered sugar, softened butter, 3 tablespoons milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla to make smooth frosting. Spread chopped peanuts on small pan or plate.
• Use serrated knife to cut cake into 24 squares (6 rows by 4 rows). Frost top and sides of each square with frosting, then roll in chopped peanuts, using hands if necessary to press peanuts into frosting.
• Refrigerate 30 minutes to firm up. Serve cold, or remove from refrigerator 20 minutes before serving.