Mars Bar Brownies

My favorite candy bar ever is the Mars Bar. Sadly, for me, these are not sold in the US anymore and since I don't have many occasions to travel to Europe (many=none at all), I am left sitting back, thinking about those Mars bars, wishing I had one. And while Snickers with Almond are a close second, they are not the same thing. So I decided to give myself a little trip to Europe this Christmas! Or my taste buds, at least. I wanted to make my own Mars bar, but not a candy bar, a DESSERT bar! My go-to dessert always seems to be brownies, because, hey, who doesn't love a gooey, delicious, chocolatey brownie. Brownies make the base of my version of a Mars Bar. Next, I needed a good nougat, but really, who has time to make their own nougat? So I thought of the next best thing: Marshmallow fluff! Then I needed almonds, caramel sauce, and a little more chocolate to top it off and there you have it! Mars Bars!

Mars Bar Brownies

1 boxed brownie mix, prepared according to package directions (or make your own from scratch)
1-7 oz jar marshmallow fluff
1 cup almonds(I used slivered because that's what I found at the store, but use whatever you want)
1- 14oz bag wrapped caramels
1/4 cup cream
2 cups milk chocolate chips

Directions:
After preparing your brownies, allow them to cool completely.


Spread marshmallow fluff over brownies.

Sprinkle with almonds.

 Unwrap caramels and melt in the microwave in 30 second increments, adding cream as needed to thin out, until caramels are all melted but the mixture is still fairly thick. Or if you are super cool like me and you don't have a microwave (I know, I must live under a rock or something), then melt them in a double boiler with the cream. 1/4 cup cream was the perfect amount to make the caramel candy bar consistency. I didn't use jarred caramel because it is too thin for what I wanted. Spread the caramel over the almonds.



Melt your chocolate chips either in the microwave or over a double boiler, just like the caramels and pour them over the top, smoothing it out as you go.

Pop it in the fridge for an hour, just to let the chocolate set, then dig in!
Don't they look great? Go make these! They are super easy, and while they aren't strictly Christmasy, they are quite indulgent, and sometimes that is all you need to get into the spirit! And since this makes a whole 9x13 pan, that means there will be PLENTY to share with the neighbors or any holiday guests that might stop by! Oh and by the way, I am entering these Mars Bar Brownies in the Creative Holiday Recipe Contest hosted by Confessions of a Cookbook Queen and Cookies and Cups!