Baby Ruth® Candy Bar

Beneath the chocolate of Nestlés popular candy bar
is a chewy, peanut-covered center that resembles
Hershey's PayDay. To clone this one we'll only have
to make a couple adjustments to the PayDay clone recipe,
then add the milk chocolate coating. Even though the
wrapper of this candy bar calls the center "nougat,"
it's more of a white or blonde fudge that you can make
in a saucepan on your stovetop with a candy thermometer.

Centers
1/4 cup whole milk
5 unwrapped caramels
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 teaspoon butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

20 unwrapped caramels
1 1/2 teaspoons water
2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 12-ounce bag milk chocolate chips

1. Combine all ingredients for the centers, except the
powdered sugar, in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir
often as the caramel slowly melts. When the mixture is smooth,
add 3/4 cup of powdered sugar. Stir. Save the remaining 1/2
cup of powdered sugar for later.
2. Use a candy thermometer to bring the mixture to exactly 230
degrees, stirring often, then turn off the heat.
3. When the temperature of the candy begins to drop, add the
remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar to the pan, then use a hand
mixer on high speed to combine. Keep mixing until the candy
cools and thickens and can no longer be mixed. That should take
a minute or two.
4. Let the candy cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, or until
it can be touched. Don't let it sit too long - you want the candy
to still be warm and pliable when you shape it. Take a
tablespoon-size portion and roll it between your palms or on a
countertop until it forms a roll the width of your index finger,
and measuring about 4 1/2-inches long. Repeat with the remaining
center candy mixture and place the rolls on wax paper. You should
have 8 rolls. Let the center rolls sit out for an hour or two to
firm up.
5. Combine the 20 caramels with the 1 1/2 teaspoons of water in a
small saucepan over low heat. Stir often until the caramels melt
completely, then turn off the heat. If you work fast this caramel
will stay warm while you make the candy bars.
6. Pour the peanuts onto a baking sheet or other flat surface.
Using a basting brush and working quickly, "paint" a coating of
caramel onto one side of a center roll. Quickly turn the center
over, caramel side down, onto the peanuts and press gently so that
the peanuts stick to the surface of the candy. Paint more caramel
onto the other side of the roll and press it down onto the peanuts.
The candy should have a solid layer of peanuts covering all sides.
If needed, brush additional caramel onto the roll, then turn it onto
the peanuts to coat the roll completely. Place the candy bar onto
wax paper, and repeat with the remaining ingredients. Place these
bars into your refrigerator for an hour or two so that they firm up.
7. Pour the milk chocolate chips into a glass or ceramic bowl and zap
it in the microwave for 2 minutes on 50 percent power. Gently stir the
chips, then heat for an additional 30 seconds at 50 percent power. Repeat if
necessary, stirring gently after each 30 seconds. Don't overcook the chips
or the chocolate will burn and seize up on you.
8. Drop a candy bar center into the melted milk chocolate. Cover the
candy bar with chocolate using two forks, one in each hand. When
the candy is covered with chocolate, balance the bar on both of the
forks, one at each end of the candy bar, and tap the forks on the
top edge of the bowl so that much of the chocolate drops off.
Carefully place the candy bar onto wax paper and remove the two
forks. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, and then chill the
candy bars until firm.
Makes 8 candy bars.