"Payday" Bars

It was time for a party on Roy and Nancy's deck.  Two anniversaries, three retirements and three 60th birthdays among the group of us.  We decided a pitch in would be fun.  My assignment was an appetizer and a dessert.  I couldn't make my mind up.  Connie wanted me to make LaBrea Tar Pit chicken wings.  I was thinking about pickle dip and mexicorn dip.  Why not make all three?  Dessert was easy.  For months now I've had the "Payday Bars" from Melissa's Cuisine on the tippy top of my list.  Along with Butterfingers and Mounds Bars, Paydays are my three favorite candy bars.  I found the "Payday" Bars when I was assigned Melissa's Cuisine for The Secret Recipe Club.  That's the month I made the pickle dip which has become a staple of our appetizers. 

So, it was decided.  La Brea Tar Pit chicken wings.  Pickle Dip.  Mexicorn Dip.  And, "Payday" Bars.  We were due at Roy and Nancy's at 3:00 Saturday afternoon.  Friday night we chopped up two cups of hearty garlic kosher dill pickles.  We also shredded two cups of pepper jack cheese and a quarter of a cup of parmesan.  Otherwise, nothing was prepared in advance.  The Bruins had a playoff game Saturday at 12:30 so we headed home from the office about noon.  Connie chopped the tips off six pounds of wings while I started the sauce to cook them in.  Once the wings went in the oven, I started in on the pickle dip and the mexicorn dip.  Finally, fifteen minutes til time to leave and I was ready to start on the dessert.  Peanuts in a 9 x 13 pan.  Filling in the saucepan, melted.  Poured.  More peanuts.  Cover everything with foil and pop it in the car trunk and head out for our 30 mile drive. 

The highlight of the party was Janet imitating a race horse jockey and a race horse at the same time.  Alas, none of us got a photo of that.  I did, however, get a photo of Janet and her last minute Derby hat.  And, the paparazzi snapping photos. 

Nancy's brats and German potato salad were fabulous as always.  We also had baked beans and broccoli salad.  Then, it was time for dessert.  Turns out I was the only one who'd brought dessert.  It was a hit.  Actually, it was pretty much a homerun.  I brought a few home so I could take photos.  Ok, it really sounded like a good excuse.  Or, so I thought it did - lol. 

By now you've figured out we loved these bars.  They're super easy to put together.  As Al said yesterday, "They taste just like a Payday Bar, only fresh."  I think that pretty well sums it up!

"Payday" Bars

Ingredients

2 c peanut butter chips
2 1/2 T butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 c mini marshmallows
4 c roasted, salted peanuts (the recipe called for 3 c but I found it took 2 c to cover the bottom of the pan...)

Directions:

Grease a 9 x 13 pan.  Pour in 2 c of the peanuts. 

The bottom of the pan should be well covered.  In a large, heavy bottomed saucepan, melt the butter and peanut butter chips.  Pour in the sweetened, condensed milk and the marshmallows.  Stir constantly until the marshmallows are melted. 

 

Slowly pour the filling over the peanuts.  Use an offset spatula to smooth it. 

 

Pour the other two cups of peanuts over the filling.  Very gently press them in with the palm of your hand.  Refrigerate the bars.

Many thanks to Melissa's Cuisine for another winning recipe!