We all need things to snack on sometimes, especially in the early evenings. That time between lunch and dinner is prime for a quick snack. Then there’s those infamous midnight cravings that come uninvited and stubbornly stick around. And since this is something, we’re going to be dealing with almost every day, especially the afternoon cravings, we can’t go for cake or bread all the time. We need more alternatives -- the healthier, the better. So, we’ve decided to bring you a simple, hassle free recipe for no-bake peanut butter bars with hazelnuts and 5 Star chocolate swirl.
A note on the 5 Star: this is a gooey, caramel-filled, nutty chocolate that Indian kids have been enjoying for years now. When this familiar, nostalgic and filling chocolate is swirled into chocolate, the two different sweet flavors interact with each other in a beautiful way, creating a unique and delicious taste.
These bars are also going to last for over a week and are delicious. They also look good and attractive, which means you can serve them at brunches or parties. But they are also quite a lowkey dessert, which means they fit right into a picnic basket or other casual meetings. They’re also a great gift, being a gesture of something that’s handmade while also being indulgent and healthy. This dish is a lot of things, but most importantly, it is super simple to make.
Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients (makes about 16 bars)
For the base:
- 1 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
- 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups crushed digestive biscuits or graham crackers
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped hazelnuts, toasted
For the topping:
- 200 g dark chocolate (Bournville or semi-sweet)
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 bar Cadbury 5 Star (chopped into gooey strips or melted slightly for swirls)
Method:
- In a bowl, add the peanut butter, melted butter, and sugar. Stir until smooth and well incorporated. The peanut butter and butter are sticky so getting them to incorporate might be a bit tricky. But a little energetic mixing should do the trick.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
- Now fold in the crushed biscuits and toasted hazelnuts. The mixture should be thick and sticky, easily coating the back of a spoon but not falling off it or being too runny.
- Line a pan with parchment paper, then press the peanut butter mixture into the base evenly. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to smooth it down firmly. Pop it in the fridge while you prepare the topping.
- Melt the dark chocolate and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter together using a double boiler or the microwave. If you’re using a microwave, heat for 10 seconds, then stop to give it a good mix, then heat for another 10 seconds and then stop to stir again. Continue in this way until it’s all thoroughly mixed in. For a double boiler, place a large bowl filled with water on the stove on medium heat. Place a smaller bowl with the chocolate in it on top of the large bowl and stir consistently. It should melt evenly.
- Once the mixture is smooth and glossy, take out the tray and pour the mixture over the chilled base.
- Now melt or soften the 5 Star bar slightly, and spoon dollops of it over the chocolate layer. Using a skewer or the tip of a butter knife, swirl the 5 Star into pretty patterns.
- Refrigerate the entire tray for at least 4 hours, or until the topping is set.
- Then take it out of the fridge and lift the slab out using the parchment paper. Slice into squares or bars and serve.
Tips:
- Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top before chilling for a slight saltiness. It will complement the sweet flavor nicely and add more depth to the dessert.
- If you don’t have hazelnuts, or want more than one variety of nuts, you can also use almonds, cashews, or pecans.
- If you want bars that are not too sweet, use a dark, bittersweet chocolate for the topping instead of the 5 Star.
- Swap the butter for coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate and peanut butter for a vegan version.