Buttery Peanut Ritz Caramel Bars

Ingredients

- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 sleeves Ritz Crackers (about 60 crackers)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup peanuts (lightly salted, rough-chopped)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust:
- Begin by laying Ritz crackers evenly across the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. You should have two layers of crackers.

2. Make the Caramel:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar and butter. Stir continuously until the butter melts and the mixture becomes smooth, about 5 minutes.
- Slowly pour in the sweetened condensed milk and continue to stir. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for another 7 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning, until the mixture thickens and turns a light caramel color.
- Remove from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract and milk.

3. Assemble the Bars:
- Pour half of the caramel mixture over the prepared layer of Ritz crackers. Use a spatula to spread it evenly.
- Add another layer of Ritz crackers on top of the caramel.
- Pour the remaining caramel mixture over the second cracker layer, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle the chopped peanuts over the top, pressing them gently into the caramel so they adhere.

4. Chill and Serve:
- Allow the bars to cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate the baking dish for at least 2 hours, or until the bars are firm and set.
- Once set, cut into bars and serve chilled.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT15M
15 minutes
- Cooking Time: PT20M
20 minutes
- Total Time: PT2H35M
2 hours and 35 minutes

Total Time

PT2H35M
2 hours and 35 minutes

Type of Dish

Dessert

Keywords

Ritz caramel bars, peanut dessert, sweetened condensed milk bars, easy stove-top dessert, caramel cracker bars, caramel peanut bars, buttery dessert bars, chilled dessert recipe, no-bake dessert, Ritz cracker bars

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total: 3200 calories

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