I don’t want to be alarmist, but this might be the best thing you’ll ever taste. How’s that for talking up a recipe? Ha! This is a sweet treat that I learned to make from my neighbor Sharon, who used to have me over every year when I was growing up to make tons of cookies and goodies for Christmas. It’s one of those things that I crave every year as soon as the snow hits the ground (and oh man, it’s hit the ground here in Chicago)! These bars are incredibly rich and with the combo of chocolate, butterscotch AND peanut butter, the flavor will knock your socks off, and then you’ll have to put them back on because it’s cold outside. And the recipe makes a TON, so it’s the perfect time of year to make these little yummies and share with friends and fam!

Ingredients
1 20 oz bag of milk chocolate chips
1 20 oz bag of butterscotch chips
1 18 oz jar of creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup evaporated milk
4 oz vanilla pudding mix (not instant)
1 cup butter
2 lbs powdered sugar
1/3 cup roasted peanuts

First get a double boiler going on the stove, then add the peanut butter and all of the chips into the bowl of the double boiler and mix together as it melts, stirring constantly. Once this is creamy and everything is well melted together, pour half of this mixture into a 13 x 18 baking sheet that is at least 1-inch deep. Pop this into the fridge for just 5 minutes, you don’t want it to harden as the layers need to meld together, but with just a little setting it’s easier to spread the second layer. Remove from the fridge and set aside.

To make the middle layer, add the milk, butter and pudding mixture into a small pan on medium-high heat, bring to a boil, and boil for one minute. Remove from the heat and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the powdered sugar – yes, all 2 lbs – in batches to the mixture. Whisking can help get rid of some of the lumps. Pour this mixture evenly over the first layer of chocolate and carefully spread with a spatula to cover and let these two layers stand for ten minutes.

Finally, add the remaining chocolate on top of these two layers and top with peanuts. Pop this in the fridge overnight, then cut into small pieces and eat up!

What is your favorite treat to make during the Holidays?