Bun Bars Recipe

I don’t know if you’ve ever tried or if you even remember Bun Bars, but these delicious peanut butter and chocolate treats are making a comeback!

I like to make these in a baking dish, which you can slice when it’s chilled and set.

Another great option, though, is to use a mini muffin tray and make single servings. They look almost like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, but they have more texture.

Try them with a hot cup of vanilla coffee! Yum.

Ingredients:

This recipe is enough for about 20-30 portions.

• Semisweet Chocolate Chips 
• Butterscotch Chips
• Creamy Peanut Butter
• Milk
• Butter 
• Instant Vanilla Pudding 
• Powdered Sugar 
• Salted Peanuts 

How To Make Bun Bars:

1. Grease and line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray and parchment paper.
2. Pour 2-3 inches of water into a tall pot and bring to a low simmer.
3. Put the chocolate chips, butterscotch, and peanut butter into a large bowl and place it over the water bath.
4. Stir slowly until the chocolate and butterscotch chips are melted, and the mixture is smooth.
5. Pour half of the mixture into the baking pan and place the pan into the freezer.
6. Set the bowl aside and turn off the heat.
7. In a medium pot, add the butter, and place over medium heat until it’s melted. 
8. Pour the pudding and milk into the butter, stir, and then bring to a boil. 
9. Stir and boil for one minute, then remove from the heat and add the powdered sugar. 
10. Carefully blend this mixture until it’s smooth, then pour over the chocolate layer in the baking pan.
11. Put the tray back in the freezer to harden.
12. Add another 2 inches of water to the pot and bring back to a simmer. 
13. Place the bowl back on the heat and stir until the chocolate and peanut butter mixture is melted.
14. Remove the bowl from the heat and pour in the peanuts.
15. Stir until the nuts are completely coated.
16. Pour the chocolate and peanuts over the pudding mixture and chill in the fridge until set.

Recipe Variations

The fun thing about making candy at home is that you can tweak the recipe to suit your tastes.

For example, if you’re not a fan of peanut butter, you can always swap it out for almond butter. Or maybe you want sweet white chocolate instead?

There are no wrong answers here! So check out these variations, and let me know which you like best!

1. Chocolate Hazelnut - Replace the peanut butter with Nutella (or any chocolate hazelnut spread), and use chopped hazelnuts instead of salted peanuts.

2. White Chocolate Cranberry - Swap the semisweet chocolate and butterscotch chips with white chocolate, and replace the salted peanuts with dried cranberries. These are great for the holidays!

3. Almond Joy Inspired Candy - Use chopped, roasted almonds in place of salted peanuts, and add 1 cup of shredded coconut to the mixture.

4. S’mores - Substitute the butterscotch chips with milk chocolate chips, then add mini marshmallows and top them off with crushed Graham Crackers.

5. Pistachio and White Chocolate - Swap out the semisweet chocolate and butterscotch chips with white chocolate chips, then use chopped pistachios instead of salted peanuts. You could also add a layer of pistachio butter if you can find it!

6. Peanut Butter and Jelly - Keep the recipes as is, then either add a layer of fruity jam, or some fruit chips to the mix.

7. Coffee Toffee - Dissolve 1 teaspoon of instant coffee into the chocolate, then top it off with toffee bits.