"Take 5" Brownies

"Take 5" Brownies

Do you know what Take 5 candy bars are? Apparently not many people I've asked know what these candy bars are! There was a lot of hoopla when these candies came out a long time ago (could it be about ten years?). They were made for the person who craves sweet and salty and they quickly become one of my favorite candy bars. I don't see these around too often anymore and mainly see them around Halloween, so I always buy a them whenever I'm lucky to find them.

Two of my favorite things are brownies and Take 5 candy bars. They are things that are simply perfect by themselves and just when you think they can't get any better than they already are, someone out there just had to just combine them! Two perfect things together... is there a word that means greater than perfection? Because in my perfect dessert world, this is it.

You get a sweet and salty, gooey and crunchy center surrounded by fudgy brownie. My only complaint? I want more center, the plain bits of brownie just seemed unfair. My goal for these brownies is to make a homemade version and layering the pretzels, peanut butter, and caramel so that you get a little bit in every bite. Then you don't have to worry yourself about finding Take 5 candy bars. :-)

You can use your favorite boxed brownie mix or your favorite homemade brownie mix and adjust the recipe accordingly. I used a homemade brownie recipe, which is reflected in the recipe below. If you want a thicker brownie, put it in a slightly smaller pan and increase baking just a bit. I used a 9x9 pan for the thicker brownies, so I didn't need as many candy bars. This recipe is pretty forgiving so adjust it to your liking.

I hope you like this recipe as much as I did. And for those of you who haven't heard of Take 5 candy bars, I hope that you give them a try next time you see them around.

Also, stay tuned for a homemade Take 5 version of these brownies where you don't need to buy the candy bars! I'll be attempting the homemade version soon. :-)

"Take 5" Brownies
Adapted from The Noble Pig

Fudgy Saucepan Brownies:
(from Betty Crocker Cookie Book-- you can also use your own recipe or a boxed recipe)
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 2 c.)
1/2 c. unsalted butter
1 c. sugar
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs, beaten
1 c. chopped nuts (optional-- I didn't add any nuts)

You also need:
12 Take Five candy bars

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x9 square baking pan.

Heat chocolate chips and butter in a 3-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth; remove from heat. Stir in the remaining ingredients except nuts (if using).

Spread about half the batter on the bottom of the baking pan. Then line the candy bars on top of the batter. (I got 12 candy bars to fit in my baking pan.) Last, top the rest of the brownie batter on top of the candy bar layer. Bake 25-35 minutes or until center is set.