Maple Nut Goodie Bars

Great for your holiday cookie/candy trays.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 50 mins
• Yields: 64 bars

Ingredients

• 1 (12 ounce) package  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 (11 1/2ounce) package  milk chocolate chips
• 2  cups margarine or 2  cups butter
• 1  cup peanut butter
• 1 (12 ounce) can  cocktail peanuts
• 1⁄2 cup evaporated milk
• 1 (3 ounce) package vanilla pudding mix (not instant)
• 1 (2 lb) package powdered sugar
• 2  teaspoons  maple flavoring

Directions

1. Line 15x10x1-inch baking pan with foil. Butter or spray foil with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In large saucepan, melt chocolate chops and 1 cup of the margarine over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove saucepan from heat. Add peanut butter; mix well.
3. Spread half of mixture in buttered foil-lined pan. Freeze 10 minutes or until set. Place pan in refrigerator.
4. Meanwhile, stir peanuts into remaining chocolate mixture. Set aside.
5. Melt remaining 1 cup margarine in large saucepan over low heat. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Stir in pudding mix. Cook until mixture is slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Do not boil. Remove saucepan from heat. Add powdered sugar and maple flavor; mix well. Cool about 10 minutes or until slightly cooled.
6. Carefully spread pudding mixture over chilled chocolate layer. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
7. Stir reserved chocolate-peanut mixture. Drop by spoonfuls onto chilled pudding layer; spread to cover. Refrigerate at least 3 hours or until firm. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.