Amaze-Bars (no Bake!)

When it's hot out, sometimes you still want something delicious and sweet, but even the thought of preheating the oven is just too much to bear. Wouldn't it be amazing to have some fantastic combination of pretzels, peanut butter, caramel, and chocolate? With a little help from your microwave, in about a half hour you can be enjoying some simply amazing treats!

Step 1: You'll Need. . .

Software
Crust

• about 1 cup of mini pretzels
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Peanut Butter Layer

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• splash of vanilla

Microwave Caramel (makes about twice as much as you'll need, but it's fantastic over ice cream (or off of a spoon!))

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• large pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Chocolate Layer

• about 8 ounces of chocolate (milk or semi-sweet work well)

Hardware
For All
microwave
8" x 8" baking dish
measuring cups and spoons
knife

Crust
food processor

Peanut Butter Layer
medium mixing bowl
mixing spoon

Microwave Caramel
medium mixing bowl
small mixing bowl

Chocolate Layer
small bowl

Step 2: Getting Crusty

1. In a food processor, grind the pretzels to a fine powder
2. Add melted butter and sugar
3. Process until well combined
4. Spread the mixture over the bottom of the baking dish

Step 3: Sticky Sweet Microwave Caramel

1. Combine sugar, water, and corn syrup in a medium-sized mixing bowl
2. Microwave on high for 5 1/2 minutes or until the sugar is melted, and the mixture is a very light amber color
3. Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for about 3 minutes
4. While it's sitting, heat the cream in a small bowl for 45 seconds in the microwave
5. Add the heated cream and a pinch of salt to the sugar mixture and mix well
6. Transfer to the fridge until ready to use

Step 4: Peanut Butter Time

1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, brown sugar, butter, and powdered sugar
2. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes
3. Mix to combine
4. Add vanilla and mix well
5. Pour the mixture over the pretzel crust and spread evenly

Step 5: Some Assembly Required

1. In a small bowl, melt the chocolate in the microwave by heating for 35 seconds
2. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter mixture and spread evenly
3. Pour thin stripes of caramel over the chocolate
4. Gently pull the tip of a knife through the caramel and chocolate to combine them slightly
5. Place dish in the fridge for about a half hour to allow the chocolate and caramel to set up
6. Slice into bars and enjoy!