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It only took me a year but I managed to do it: I made a copycat Peanut Butter Mountain Bar! These are *gasp* better than a peanut butter cup!
My daughter is all about the Rainbow Loom right now. Every time we go shopping she begs for new rubber band colors. Last week she bought green, blue, and white (before she’d only had girl colors) and she made Mel a bracelet. And he’s worn it every single day. At night, when he brushes his teeth, I see it peeking out of his sweater.
I’m sorry, but is there anything sexier than a man wearing a rainbow loom bracelet his daughter made him? Probably not much….except maybe Peanut Butter Mountain Bars.
Now if I was as good of a mom as he is a dad, I’d remember to wear my bracelet every day. #momfail
Oh well, at least Jordan loves me for my treats! 😉
Last year I made my mom a copycat Mountain Bar. It’s a candy made in Tacoma, Washington by the people who make Almond Roca. You used to be able to get it along the West Coast, but I never find it anymore. My uncle lived in Tacoma when I was growing up, so when he’d come to visit every summer he’d bring us boxes and boxes of the “seconds” from the factory. He’d bring the original flavor (a sweet vanilla cream) and he’d bring my favorite…peanut butter.
Now, I’m totally going out on a limb here and saying that these copycats are better than a peanut butter cup. And I totally think they are. I even think they’re better than the original mountain bars.
The Peanut Butter Mountain Bars were really, really good…but the peanut butter could be a little dry. When I made my copycats, I made the peanut butter more smooth. And it’s amazing.
What sets these apart from regular peanut butter cups (or buckeyes or any other PB&C candy) is that the top coating of chocolate has chopped peanuts in it. It adds crunch, texture, and WOW to the candy.
These are perfect for a Valentine gift for your PB loving sweetheart. They’re perfect for a birthday gift, Christmas, or because tomorrow is Monday.
Even if you’ve never heard of a Mountain Bar before, you’re going to LOVE these.
My husband actually ate one of them (!!!!) and loved it. That makes me almost as happy as him wearing his rainbow loom. 🙂
Peanut Butter Mountain Bars
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 16 ounces chocolate Candiquik or Almond Bark or Candy Melts
- 1/2 cup finely chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Beat melted butter, peanut butter, and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric or hand mixer. Slowly beat in powdered sugar until mixture comes together.
- You should be able to form balls of candy that hold together.
- Drop tablespoon sized balls onto a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Chill while you prepare the chocolate.
- When ready to make candy, line a new cookie sheet with wax paper. Melt your chocolate according to package directions. If it’s cold in your kitchen, it might be helpful to line an electric griddle with an old kitchen towel on low heat (about 200°F) and place the bowl of melted candy on top. It keeps the candy warm for you.
- Place 1 teaspoon of chocolate evenly spaced on the prepared cookie sheet, one for each ball of candy you made. Spread it slightly. Place a rolled ball of candy in the center of each teaspoon of chocolate.
- Mix the chopped peanuts into the remaining chocolate. Cover each ball of candy with 1-2 teaspoons of the peanutty chocolate. Use your spoon to spread it so that the chocolate top meets the bottom under the ball, to seal. Chill to harden.
Recipe Nutrition
Click here to see more PEANUT BUTTER recipes!
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bark (would be great with Valentine sprinkles!)
Sweets from friends:
Galactic Crunch by The Domestic Rebel
Orange Julius Fudge by Shugary Sweets
Hostess Cupcakes by Something Swanky
I grew up on the west coast, loved the mountain bars, never had a peanut butter one, but will now! Thanks Marcia
These look great and I plan to try them. However, I would also like to try the original vanilla ones. Have you developed a recipe for them?
Yes I have: https://www.crazyforcrust.com/2013/01/mountain-bars/ Enjoy!
Can I substitute chocolate chips for the Almond bark or Candiquik? These look soooo yummy! 🙂
You can but add a little vegetable oil to aid in melting!
Peanut Butter Mountain Bars are a childhood favorite! We always went to the factory whenever we were in Tacoma. Such memories.
WOW! I made these yesterday, & my 25 year old son said “they’re deadly”. (That’s a compliment!) We are a family of peanut butter & chocolate lovers!
Oh yes, deadly indeed! Glad you enjoyed them!
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