Homemade Snickers Bars

These are easy to make, but take quite a bit of time.  They do taste just like real Snickers bars!

Homemade Snickers Bars

Prep Time: 45 min
Total Time: 2 hours 30 min
Makes: 36 bars

Cookie Base
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® peanut butter cookie mix
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon water
1 egg

Filling
1/3 cup light corn syrup
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons water
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla
Dash salt
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Caramel Layer
1 bag (14 oz) caramels, unwrapped
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 cups unsalted dry-roasted peanuts

Topping
1 bag (11.5 oz) milk chocolate chips (2 cups)

Cookie Base 
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. (Skip the cooking spray, and instead line the pan with quick-release foil for easy cleanup and removal of bars from the pan.) In large bowl, stir cookie base ingredients until soft dough forms. Press dough in bottom of pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Filling 
In large bowl, beat all filling ingredients except powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy and smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until well blended (filling will be thick). Press filling over cookie base. Refrigerate while preparing caramel layer.

Caramel Layer 
In 2-quart saucepan, heat caramels and 2 tablespoons water over low heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted. Stir in peanuts. Spread evenly over filling. Refrigerate about 15 minutes or until caramel layer is firm.

Topping
In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring once, until melted. Spread evenly over caramel layer. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until chocolate is set. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature.