No-Bake Mondays: Caramel Mud Pie Bars

What on earth? No-Bake Caramel Mud Pie Bars!

These are bars of sin.

Decked out in graham crackers, caramel, peanuts, pretzels, popcorn (yes, popcorn), and drizzled with chocolate, they're like caramel mud pies minus the ice cream. Admittedly, this was partly inspired by Woodhouse's yummy Caramel Helenas. I wanted to make something that marries sweet and salty, and crispy and chewy. It's like a frat party gone wild in your mouth.

The caramel and peanut combo make them taste a lot like a Snickers bar, but the pretzels add a salty, unexpected crisp, and the crushed popcorn pumps up the chewy texture. This recipe is totally kid-friendly, super quick, and lovably sloppy. Be prepared to lick a lot of caramel off your fingers. Rowrrrrrr.

No-Bake Mondays: Caramel Mud Pie Bars

Makes 6 fat bars

In Minutes 15 (+an hour to refrigerate)

What You Need

3 graham crackers

1 bag vanilla caramels (5.5oz)

2 tbsp milk
1/2 cup pretzels, chunks
1/4 cup peanuts
3/4 cup light butter popcorn
4 squares semi sweet chocolate baking bars (or chocolate syrup)

How To Make It
1. In a small bowl, put vanilla caramels with 2 tbsp milk and microwave on high for 30 seconds or until melted. Stir occasionally.
2. Layer bottom of a 9X6 pan with graham crackers. Pour caramels over crackers.
3. Top with peanuts, popcorn, and pretzels. Lightly press them onto the melted caramel so the toppings stick.
4. Melt chocolate baking bars in microwave for 30 seconds or until melted. Drizzle chocolate on top of mixture.
5. Refrigerate for an hour. Cut into bars and enjoy! 

Make it for your next bake sale.. or any rainy Monday like today.

- Kris Alcantara