Merry Christmas! Too soon? It is December, so, for me, it’s Christmas all month long!
I wanted to kick off this holiday baking month with some “candy” that my mom makes each year for Christmas. Traditionally, my mom makes these with a thick peanut butter crust and a layer of chocolate on top. I added some homemade marshmallows between those two layers to kick it up a notch, to turn my moms PB Candy into PB Fluff Candy! Or could we call it S’mores Candy?
Let’s stick with PB Fluff—bring back some of those happy childhood times when you would open your lunchbox up to a peanut butter and fluff sandwich!
Anyways, let’s stop being sidetracked by childhood nostalgic moments...
Each year for Christmas, my mom will make at least two pans of this incredible candy. Usually, it will go out as gifts with some other homemade breads and cookies, wrapped in adorable tins with snowmen on them, spreading endless cheer. Other times, my brothers and I will eat so much that we get stomachaches, but it’s worth it.
First off, who doesn’t love peanut butter?!(—another nut butter can be substituted!) But peanut butter. You can eat it by the spoonful, you can put it on toast, you can eat it by the spoonful, you can cover fruit in it. Yeah, endless possibilities, and you can turn it into a thick, wonderfully sinful crust that you will eat 10 pieces too many of. Sounds magical, huh?
Want some homemade marshmallows on top? This recipe from over the summer is OH so simple, and makes this candy that much more fabulous. Final piece of this delicious puzzle? A melted butter and chocolate glaze—as you know peanut butter and chocolate ARE a match made in dessert heaven!
While this may not be coated in candy canes or be a cute little gingerbread man that you can decorate with icing and sprinkles, this is such a fabulously tasty peanut butter fluff candy that can be given as gifts, enjoyed at holiday parties, or just quietly eaten in the corner with a fork…
I would say go ahead, make a batch, but I think that saying make three batches is going to be your safest bet—you will not want to run out of this candy at any point during this absolutely magical month of December!
ingredients
Butter (melted)—12 oz, or 1 ½ C
Peanut Butter—17.5 oz, or 2 C
Confectioner’s Sugar—22.5 oz, or 4 ½ C
Graham Cracker Crumbs—1.5 oz, or ½ C
Oats—4.5 oz, or 1 ¼ C
Marshmallows—Recipe found here, or 1 bag (fluff can be used, too!)
Butter—4 oz, or ½ C
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips—12 oz, or 2 C
process
In a large bowl, combine the 12 oz of melted butter, peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, graham cracker crumbs and oats.
Mix until a dough forms.
Press into the bottom of a 9” x 13” pan.
Next, whether you have decided to just use store bought marshmallows, or my homemade marshmallow recipe (super simple!), layer this on top next.
This homemade marshmallow recipe will take only about 20-25 minutes to make. It’s so quick and easy, and who won’t be impressed by them??!
In a heatproof bowl, melt together the 4 oz or butter and chocolate chips either in your microwave or over a double boiler.
Once melted and mixed, pour over your marshmallows.
Allow to set and cool.
Cut and enjoy!
Bon Appétit!