Sweet & Salty

This has been a trend for a while and I personally love it! I was the kid that used to dip my fries in my milkshake, so SWEET & SALTY combinations are right up my alley. The chocolate chip cookies above are from LGO (in arcadia), they are basically a big soft chocolate chip cookie sprinkled with large course sea salt = AMAZING! I am also a sucker for the "store bought" goodies seen below as well. The Caramel bugles might top my list.

I am going to try out those "Idle Hand Bars" this weekend to satisfy my sweet and salty craving and will be sure to let you know.

Idle Hand Bars

Base Layer

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup sugar
5 Tbsp. Cocoa
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup coarsely crushed pretzels 1. In double boiler (or a bowl resting over a pot of lightly simmering water), melt the first three ingredients.
2. While still over water, add egg and beat to combine (will thicken quite a bit here). Remove from heat and add crumbs and pretzels.
3. Press into an 8 x 8 cake pan. Set aside.

Middle Layer

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly.
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 cup smooth, natural peanut butter (no salt added, reduce salt accordingly if using salted)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla 1. Add peanut butter and butter together in small bowl.
2. Mix in sugar, salt and vanilla to form a thick paste.
3. Dump onto base layer and smooth over, patting down to make a flat, even layer.

Top (final) Layer

5 oz. Semi Sweet Choclate chips (or other fine chocolate)
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
Pink Himalayan salt (or other fine sea salt) 1. In double boiler (or microwave), melt butter and chocolate chips together. Stir until complete dissolved and smooth.
2. Pour over peanut butter layer and spread out evenly.
3. Cool in fridge for about 5 minutes (should still be slightly soft on top but not warm).
4. Sprinkle, lightly, with Himalayan salt. Return to fridge, and let cool completely to become hard.
5. Cut into small squares and Happy snacking!