Recipe: Nutty Marshmallow Bars (marshmallow cream and caramel with a oat-peanut crust)

NUTTY MARSHMALLOW BARS

FOR THE BOTTOM LAYER:
1 cup chopped salted blanched peanuts
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup oats
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/3 cup butter, softened
FOR THE TOPPING:
7 ounces marshmallow cream
2/3 cup caramel topping
1 1/2 cups cocktail peanuts

TO MAKE THE BOTTOM LAYER:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix 1 cup chopped peanuts, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and egg in a large bowl with a spoon. Cut in butter using a fork until the mixture is crumbly. Press in an ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan.

Bake for 10 minutes.

TO MAKE THE TOPPING:
Spoon small amounts of marshmallow cream over the hot baked crust; spread evenly. Drizzle caramel topping over the marshmallow cream. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups peanuts.

Bake about 20 minutes or until golden brown; cool.

When cool, cut into 24 bars with a wet knife.

Makes 24 bars
Source: Gold Medal Holiday Cookies, 2000