I’ve inadvertently been on a bit of a candy-making kick lately. Over the holidays, I was already planning to make a batch of chocolate hazelnut truffles to give as a gift, but was then encouraged (volun-told?) to make an additional batch and a half for various family members. A week or two later, I ended up making even more candy when we had some friends over for dinner. I needed a gluten-free dessert, but my repertoire of tried-and-true gluten-free desserts is unfortunately rather limited…luckily, these peanut caramel Rice Krispies candies fit the bill!
When I first made these peanut caramel Rice Krispies candies last spring, my aim was to create a homemade candy based on the flavors of a Snickers bar: peanuts, caramel, and chocolate. The finished product, however, was more like…if Snickers and Butterfinger paired up and had a love child. A scrumptious, delicious love child…that you want to stuff in your mouth.
Too weird? Moving on.
Anyway, these candies have a lot going for them: they’re a little chewy, a little crispy, peanuty, caramely, chocolatey, and, as it so happens, gluten-free. I wasn’t thinking about Valentine’s Day at all when I was making these candies, but by the time I got around to photographing them, I realized that they would make an awesome Valentine’s Day treat, for a special someone, for your friends, for your co-workers, for yourself! Chocolates + homemade gift = major brownie points (candy points?). You can also check out the recipes for chocolate hazelnut truffles and coconut almond truffles if you’re feeling ambitious and want to create a variety box!
And now, a complete change of topic: in case you missed my announcement post on Saturday, Put On Your Cake Pants has been nominated for a Craftsy Blogger Award in the category of Best Cooking Tutorial! If you haven’t already voted, please click on the badge below to head over to Craftsy’s site to vote. It literally only takes a few seconds and you don’t have to create an account or anything! Just scroll down until you find the Best Cooking Tutorial category and then place your vote. Thank you SO much to all of you who have already done so!
- 8 ounces caramel candies (I use Trader Joe’s Fleur de Sel caramels)
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/4 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional)
- In a small saucepan, combine the caramels and milk and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until melted.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the peanut butter until soft, about 15-20 seconds. Combine peanut butter, melted caramel, Rice Krispies, and 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, and stir until thoroughly mixed. Refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes.
- Spoon out 1-2 teaspoon portions and roll into balls with your hands (the amount is up to you – it depends on how small or large you’d like the truffles to be). Place the rolled balls on a baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
- While the rolled balls are in the freezer, place the chocolate chips (mixed with 1 teaspoon oil) in a heat-proof glass bowl. Place 1-2 inches of water in a saucepan over low heat, and place the glass bowl on top. Stir periodically as the chocolate begins to melt.
- Once the chocolate has melted completely, it’s time to coat the truffles. Place a rolled ball on a fork and spoon chocolate over the top (do not swirl the truffle around in the chocolate itself!). Gently tap your fingers against the hand holding the fork to shake off excess chocolate. Use a toothpick or cake-tester to slide the truffle onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts (if desired). Repeat with remaining balls.
- Once all the truffles are coated, refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to help the chocolate harden.
what perfect and delicious looking little candies, I could eat a whole box full, thanks for sharing:)
That’s the dangerous part – I can never seem to stop after just one! Thanks 🙂
Your candies look so perfect – almost too good to eat!
Thanks! I assure you, though, they’re far more fun to eat than just to look at 🙂
I am a sucker for anything featuring peanut butter and chocolate! I will have to give these a try for Valentine’s Day (or really any day, because who needs an excuse to eat chocolate?). 😉
I like the way you think – any day is a good day for chocolate! Let me know how it goes if you try them!
Peanut butter snickers combined? Sign me up!
Ooh I’d forgotten until just now that Snickers has a peanut butter variety, too! I’ll have to do an
unbiased taste comparison test and report back 😉Woa – I love the sound of these – peanut butter and chcocolate is a match made in heaven – throw in caramel into the mix and WOA! Fireworks!
Haha, yes – I love your description! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
OMG, this is the best candy I’ve seen in a LONG time! And I have some friends with kids coming round this weekend, this is PERFECT for them! And so pretty too! 🙂
Aw, thank you so much!! Let me know how it goes if you make them 🙂
These look delicious! I’m a candy maker at Christmas…forget the cookies…it’s all about the candies. These might have to make the list for 2015.
Thanks!! What kinds of candy do you make for Christmas?
Hi,
Do you think I could skip the chocolate coating and just roll them in a bit of powdered sugar?
Would they be too sticky?
Thoughts?
Thank you!
Hi Kate! I think that could work if you rolled them in powdered sugar. I’d definitely recommend keeping them in the fridge, though, since that way the caramel will stay hardened and help keep the shape intact. Let me know how it goes if you try that!
Thanks! I think I will make them this weekend. I will report back.