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Soo then there was that time I made chocolate bars in the crockpot…
I did, I did, and you know what, it’s a pretty awesome way to make an easy dessert.
Plus, who knew the crockpot could be used for sweet recipes too? I mean, here I am making short ribs ‘n’ things, when I could also be making chocolate. Yes, please!
Photo: candy bar mixture in crockpot before cooking has begun.
Photo: candy bar mixture in crockpot after cooking.
Photo: candy bar mixture pressed into pan.
Photo: candy bars hardened and cut into bars.
With Halloween less than a week away, and Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approaching, I really couldn’t think of a better dessert bar to share with you guys. These are not only great as a homemade candy bar for your Halloween festivities, but they would be perfect as holiday treats and homemade gifts as well!
Sorry for bringing up the holidays before Halloween…I can’t help it, I am extra excited this year!
Ok, back to these Addicting 5 Ingredient Crockpot Chocolate Bars, no getting off topic today because even though these bars are truly as easy as it gets, I’ve got a few things to say about them.
I went through a million and one ideas on my “desserts to make” list, only to keep returning to these bars. I mean, I knew I wanted to make them, but like, were they too simple to share?
I do this all the time, fear a recipe is too simple or not special enough to share, when in reality it’s just me over thinking everything. My over thinking/self-doubt is currently in full-force (I chatted a bit about this yesterday too). Since it’s fall, my favorite time to cook and bake, I’ve been over thinking all of the blog recipes and photos. Basically, over thinking is like my super power, sometimes it works in my favor and sometimes…not so much.
UGH.
Whatever, the point is that I’m trying to beat my brain at its own game. Instead of worrying about whether or not these bars are too simple to share, I’m going to be ecstatic that I have a FIVE ingredient, crazy easy, and insanely addicting dessert to share with you guys.
OKok, and after making and devouring these, I did realize that um, yes, these are definitely a MUST share. I’d be cruel if I didn’t!
Here’s the deal with these bars.
Grab some…
…pumpkin seeds (you could use peanuts or almonds too!)
…pretzels (because what pairs better with chocolate than salty pretzels!?)
…semi-sweet chocolate (yum, yum)
…butterscotch chips (because it’s fall and butterscotch chips just feel fallish and special)
…peanut butter (peanut butter + pretzels + chocolate = crunchy Reese hybrid)
Now, in order from top to bottom. Dump this all into your crockpot, set the crockpot to low, go watch a movie, play outside, drink some wine, or whatever makes you smile. Then come back to a kitchen that smells like a sweet shop, and…taste test. Obviously.
Spread the mixture into a pan, maybe do another taste test, you know for good measure, chill, slice and EAT.
Simple as that.
In all seriousness though, it legit does not get any better than these bars. You can really use any nuts/seeds you love, maybe replace the butterscotch chips with caramel bits or the peanut butter with Nutella. Anything goes here, you cannot mess these bars up.
Like you can’t.
Cooking the chocolate slowly in the crockpot prevents it from burning, and placing the pumpkin seeds directly on the bottom of the crockpot allows them to slowly roast without even turning on the oven or dirtying up a baking sheet. Cool, right!
Of course, if you don’t have a crockpot, you can simply melt the chocolate, butterscotch and peanut butter together in the microwave and then stir in the pumpkin seeds and pretzels…but not going to lie, using the crockpot is way more fun!
Watch the How-To Video:
5 Ingredient Crockpot Chocolate Bars.
Servings: 24 Bars
Calories Per Serving: 318 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw pumpkin seeds or roasted pumpkin seeds
- 2 cups lightly crushed pretzels
- 5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups butterscotch chips
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Sprinkle the pumpkin seeds in the bottom of your crockpot. Add the pretzels, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips. Dollop the peanut butter over top. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, do not stir during coking.
- Line a jelly roll pan or 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- After 2 1/2-3 hours, stir everything together until there are no streaks. Don't worry if some of the butterscotch chips are not melting into the chocolate.
- Spoon the candy out into the prepared pan and spread in an even layer. Tap the pan against the counter a few time to release any air pockets. Chill in the fridge until firm, about 30 minutes. Cut into bars and keep stored in a cool place or in the fridge.
Notes
*inspired by [Food Network | http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/slow-cooker-chocolate-candy-recipe.html].
Love love love chocolate so these bars are perfect for me! I’m so glad that you decided to post these. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss out on these. Plus they’re just 5 ingredients!
I am too!! SO happy you like them!
Oh Tieghan!! You just made my smile so BIG!! I cannot wait to make these and wrap them up and gift them this holiday season! I am always looking for something different but easy, and these fit that bill plus they look SOOOOO tasty! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
YES!! Exactly what I was hoping!! So happy you like them!
CROCKPOT?!?! this is damn amazing T, so in love with this recipe!
Woo woo! SO happy you like them girl! Thanks !
I was wondering if they turned out very sweet. I never used butterscotch.. Is it very sweet? Would this recipe work with dark chocolate?
Hey! Butterscotch is pretty sweet, but these bars really have a nice balance. That said, please feel free to use dark chocolate in it’s place. Let me know if you have questions. Thank you! 🙂
Love this Tieghan! And we could all use more simple in our lives, especially around the holidays so keep the simple coming!
Yay thanks so much!!
I just love your concoctions and amazing photos, but honestly most are a bit detailed and labor intensive for me so I love this. I will definitely be making this. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! So happy you like this one! I will try and get some more simple ones soon!!
I love this recipe and would be amazing to try it!! Your recipes are always unique and the photos are GORGEOUS!! Keep up the wonderful work!!
Awh thank you so much!! I hope you get to try it Ivy!
Hi Tieghan! I think I speak for all of us when I say: PLEASE post the ultra-simple recipes without any hesitation. Some of us are recipe-challenged and/or recipe-intimidated, and when you post the super easy ones it makes us feel like superstars when we make something delicious. And by us I mean me! I felt like a star when I made the beer bread. =) And I’ll feel like a star when I make this too (because I HAVE to make this. CHOCOLATE!)
Thanks!!
Christina
This is so good to hear! Thank you so much for the input! Haha this is the best comment!
Ok so I think my Tuesday definitely needs these. I have everything on hand – even pumpkin spiced pumkin seeds from trader joe’s – I wonder how they would be in these?
Thanks for antoher great recipe Tieghan!
Oh those sound amazing! I bet they would be really good! Thanks Kathy!
Is it possible to buy Pumpkin seeds ? I don’t do Halloween.. ( my dear beloved Mama passed away that evening), and I just can’t anymore, so no pumpkin carving here.
What could i use instead? Perhaps..Butternut squash seeds? never roasted them.
This candy looks just divine..so want to try it soon.
I am thinking to use darker chocolate tho It is my fav.
thank you my dear for all you do to brighten my every morning with your message, your recipes, the gorgeous photos..
What size C Pot did you use, for the recipe?
thank you and have a wonderful Tuesday.
You can buy roasted or plain pumpkin seeds from the grocery or online usually in the produce aisle/section. So sorry to hear about your mom and your desire to a avoid the day is understandable. I read an article that things labeled ‘pumpkin’ at the grocery can come from a variety of squashes, because pumpkin is a squash. Good luck with the recipe!
Hey Leslie! Yes, you can buy pumpkin seeds. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/Sincerely-Nuts-Pumpkin-Seeds-Pepitas/dp/B00FPSTFPS/ref=sr_1_3_s_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1477543002&sr=1-3&keywords=pumpkin+seeds
You can also use your favorite nut/seed. Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you and I am very sorry for you loss. Thank you again and enjoy these bars! 🙂
what. this is an ingenious idea!!!! Candy making is so tedious sometimes!!! I will definitely use my crockpot to make some candy!!!
https://wwww.searedandshameless.com
YAY I hope you love it Jess!! And thank you!!
Such an awesome inspiration, Tieghan! These bars look amazing, and btw, don’t let anyone get you down with words. Your recipes are always fun and exciting and I know the work you put into every post. It’s like I can feel the love you’ve put into them. Keep it up, Girl!
Awh thank you Tori! Seriously means so much to hear this!
Also so happy you like the bars!! (:
STOP overthinking! This recipe looks amazing! I would have never thought to use a slow cooker to make candy! And…you nailed the flavor combo right on the head!!!
I know, I laughed out loud when I read about making these in a Crock Pot, I confess, that would never occur to me, hehe!!! Oh and Halloween, you’d love our neighborhood, those who don’t decorate are practically thrown off the block. It’s serious decorating!!!
Ah that sounds so fun!! I wish we had that mentality here! I think its just too cold!!
Ah thank you so much!! So happy i could show you!! (:
Hey i have been reading your blog for a while now. And just wanted ti say that i really love your old recipes and they are all unique and special .from macaroon tarts to all the delicious burgers u have posted. But recently since u started working on ur book …maybe u have gotten over loaded with work but ur recipes seem to be a repition of each other. Just missing the way u posted different n variety of recipes before. Tc good luck
Thank you for the feedback and I am really sorry you feel that way. With every recipe I put out, I make sure it’s 100% worth sharing with my readers.
DE-LISH!! Love your photos too, gorgeous!!
Rebecca
xx
http://www.peppermintdolly.com
Awh thanks so much!!