No Bake Snickers Cake

 photo credit: http://www.bakersroyale.com

No Bake Snickers Cake

original recipe: http://www.bakersroyale.com/cakes/snickers-cake/

Ingredients:

• 16 whole crackers

Pudding :

• 2/3 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 6 cups cold whole milk
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cups dark chocolate, chopped
• 3/4 cups creamy peanut butter

Caramel sauce :

• 1 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons water
• 4 tablespoon butter
• ¼ c heavy cream

Ganache pouring sauce:

• 2/3 cups dark chocolate
• 1 tablespoons heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons powdered sugar, sifted
• 4-5 tablespoons water, warm
• 12-14 mini Snickers, chopped

A few notes:

- The recipe yields one 8×8 cake.

- Variations: Change out the graham cracker for chocolate ones. Switch out the peanut butter with Nutella for a Nutella Icebox Cake. For a Twix version replace the peanut butter with some homemade caramel or melt down some Kraft caramels for a caramel pudding and then top with chopped Twix instead of Snickers.

- Cake can be fully assembled and kept in freezer or refrigerator for up two days.

- I froze my cake for a more ice cream like texture and it also makes for nice clean slices.

Instructions:

To make pudding :

Combine cornstarch, sugar, salt and milk in a blender or food processor and pulse until well blended. Alternatively, combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk vigorously. Transfer mixture to a heat proof bowl and place over (not on) simmering water for approximately 20-25minutes stirring occasionally. Pudding is ready when it it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and leave ribbons when pudding is drizzled on top of itself.

Add vanilla to mixture. Split mixture in half and add chocolate to one half and whisk to combine. Add peanut butter to remaining half and whisk to combine.

To make caramel sauce :

Place sugar and water into a saucepan over medium low heat and stir the until sugar has dissolved. Dissolve any crystals forming on the side with a wet pastry brush.

Once sugar has dissolved increase heat to high.

At this point do not stir the mixture directly. Now and then, using the handle, give the pot a swirl to keep the mixture moving. The mixture will start to bubble after a minute or so.

Once the mixture starts to turn a light golden shade, add the butter and heavy cream. The mixture will bubble wildly. Whisk to combine (bubbles will subside upon cooling). Set aside to cool completely.

To make ganache pouring sauce :

Place chocolate and heavy cream in a bowl over simmering water. Let chocolate and cream sit for 2-3 minutes to melt without stirring. Then slowly stir mixture to combine. Add powdered sugar and mix to combine. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing after each addition until pouring consistency is reached. Set aside and let sauce cool to warm.

To assemble :

Create a foil sling by placing a piece foil in the pan with a 1 inch overhang on each side.

Place graham crackers side-by-side until bottom of pan is covered. Spread a thin layer of chocolate pudding on top. Place second layer of graham cracker on top of chocolate pudding. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter pudding on top. Continue alternating layers with chocolate and peanut butter pudding while separating each pudding layer with a graham cracker layer.

Pour cooled caramel sauce on top and set aside to set. Pour cooled ganache sauce on top and add chopped Snickers on top. Finish with caramel and chocolate drizzle.

Place cake in refrigerator or freezer for at least 8 hours to set or overnight. (Freezer will create a pudding texture closer to ice cream).