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Chances are, unless you live in Washington state, you have no clue what a Mountain Bar is. Let me enlighten you!
Mountain Bars are made by a company you may have heard of, Brown & Haley. They make that little candy bar called Almond Roca. They used to sell Mountain Bars all over the place (at least in California), but I haven’t seen them in years. My mom loved them when I was a kid, and I always remember the little blue wrappers in her candy stash.
I had an uncle who lived in Tacoma, just outside Seattle, where Brown & Haley is. They have this little teeny store under a freeway overpass where you can buy their candy in bulk. My uncle would come stay with us for two weeks every summer and he would always have a case of Mountain Bars (that is a lot of candy!) in his luggage along with his “borrowed” hotel towels. I would eat handfuls and handfuls of Mountain Bars, until I was sick from them.
Memories…
A mountain bar is a candy bar that looks like a mountain. The outside shell was milk chocolate with finely chopped peanuts and the inside was pure sugary vanilla heaven. Almost like a vanilla nougat, but a little smoother.
I have been wanting to make Mountain Bars for my mom forever. This Christmas I decided to give it a go, and I’m so glad I did. These are really easy to make, even though they have a few steps.
The center is a candy made of butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. It’s really a soft nougat that I could have eaten with a spoon.
And then it’s dredged in chocolate mixed with peanuts. Could there be anything better?
Even if you’ve never heard of a Mountain Bar before, you need these in your life. Or, if you’re lucky and live in Tacoma, drive down to that little offramp and get a box for me, mmkay?
Oh, and they make a peanut butter version of Mountain Bar too. Stand by…
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla paste (or extract)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk (from a 14 ounce can)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 bag chocolate melts or almond bark (12 ounces)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Beat butter, vanilla, salt, and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl with an electric or hand mixer. Slowly beat in powdered sugar until mixture comes together. You should be able to form balls of candy that hold together.
- Drop tablespoon sized balls (rolled) onto a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Chill until ready to use, at least 30 minutes.
- When ready to make candy, line a new cookie sheet with wax paper. Melt your chocolate according to package directions. If it’s cold in your kitchen, it might be helpful to line an electric griddle with an old kitchen towel on low heat (about 200 degrees) and place the bowl of melted candy on top. It keeps the candy warm for you.
- Place 1 teaspoon of chocolate evenly spaced on the prepared cookie sheet, one for each ball of candy you made. Spread it slightly. Place a rolled ball of candy in the center of each teaspoon of chocolate.
- Mix the chopped peanuts into the remaining chocolate. Cover each ball of candy with 1-2 teaspoons of peanutty chocolate. Use your spoon to spread it so that the chocolate top meets the bottom under the ball, to seal. Chill to harden.
Like Candy Recipes? Check out my Candy Pinboard or these sweet copycat treats:
Homemade Twix by Miss Candiquik
Biscoff KitKats by The Domestic Rebel
BoBerry Biscuits Copycat by Something Swanky
Thanks for reading!
This post may be linked to: Chef in Training, Trick or Treat Tuesday, Lil’ Luna, Sweet Treats Saturday, Chic-and-Crafty, I’m Lovin’ it Fridays, Strut your Stuff Saturday, Weekend Wrap Up Party, Sundae Scoop Link Party, and all of these too!
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Hi there! I’m Dorothy, the crazy gal behind the blog. If you didn’t already know, I’m crazy for crust…and cookies…and brownies…and pretty much
anything with sugar.
WOW! I think I need these with my morning coffee, my friend. Vanilla nugget fan here…And, I wait on pins and needles for the peanut butter version, mkay?
Ellen@Bake It With Booze recently posted..Wine and Cheese Cupcakes
I need to make them, STAT!
You’re right! I’ve never heard of these little nuggets of goodness before but they look to die forrrr
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) recently posted..Something Saturdays (1/5/13)
Thanks Kayle! They are.
I live on the east coast and have never heard of these. I should definitely try them though, they sound delicious! I’m very much looking forward the peanut butter version since we buy peanut butter in bulk in this house
Shannon @ Searching For Dessert recently posted..Ganache Filled Sugar Cookies
I think I need to make them sooner rather than later!
I just found out a week ago that no one knows what Almond Roca is over here in NYC. I almost slapped my fiance in the mouth when I asked him if we could get some and he gave me a blank stare. Flabbergasted! I miss having Almond Roca on cookie trays at Christmas and Mountain Bars at gas stations. I’m homesick just thinking of the package with the mountain in the background. Going to make these soon! Thanks for posting!
Didn’t know what Almond Roca was? OMG that’s crazy!
I’m glad to have brought you a memory of home!
What a great memory! We used to stop at that little store when we visited my grandparents in Olympia….and we bought lots (boxes of them) of the mountain bar “seconds”. You’re right, you could buy any of their candy in bulk. I also found when I moved to Minnesota, that nobody knew what Almond Roca was…poor deprived people!! Now I make lots of it at Christmas for everyone here, and they LOVE it! Remember the slogan, Brown and Haley- makes em daily! I also liked the cherry ones, but the plain vanilla are the best. Can’t wait to try these! Thanks from my Mom too! Am going to try these today!
Yay! Thanks Janis, I’m glad I brought back some memories for you. I hope you like them!
Never heard of them, but your copy cat recipe looks YUMMY! I wish I could eat one right now!
Pamela recently posted..Heavenly Treats Sunday Link Party #31
Thanks Pamela!
I think I’d be happy to eat that filling with a spoon
I love the Easter eggs (like Russell Stover ones) with different flavored fillings, and that’s what this reminds me of (Oh, how did I just think of Easter in January!)
Kristin recently posted..Sunday Social 1/6
Yes, I did eat some of it that way, lol. Easter eggs sound like a perfect vessel…
Well, I have never heard of mountain Bars, but they look like a candy I would LOVE!
Heather @French Press recently posted..Pay it Forward Challenge in 2013
Totally! Thanks Heather!
Just found your blog! These look great!
Thank you Ally!
I have never heard of mountain bars before but you are right, I definitely need these in my life!
Jennifer @ Mother Thyme recently posted..Overnight Steel Cut Oats
Thanks Jennifer!
I haven’t heard of Mountain Bars before, but I’ve never met a chocolate candy I don’t like. These look awesome, Dorothy!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..Rosemary Roasted Almonds
Thanks Ashley!
I remember Mountain Bars. Oh man, trip down memory lane! The vanilla ones were my favorite! I can’t wait yo make these. Yeah! Thanks so much!
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted..Oreo Cookie Balls
Thanks Erin! I’m glad they triggered a memory for you.
These sound wonderful! Whoa. Thanks.
Shiloh Barkley recently posted..Chicken Pesto Pizza
Thanks Shiloh!
I have never heard of Mountain Bars, but boy do I want to meet one! Vanilla nougat center, chocolate peanut topping…it all sounds awesome!!!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted..Banana Split Cheesecake
It is! Thanks Jocelyn!
I have never heard of those, but I am in Canada, we never get the good treats here right? They sound yummy though.
Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more recently posted..Peppermint Cake Balls
Thanks Sue!
These sound heavenly!! I haven’t heard of them, which is surprising – maybe I missed them in CO? We always had bear paws though, definitely a CO thing..Thanks for sharing, can’t wait to try these!
P.s. Thanks for sharing my link
Sarah @ Miss CandiQuik recently posted..Cinnamon Raisin Energy Bites
You’re welcome! I heart copycat candy!
I never heard of these before, but they look scrumptious! Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday
http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2013/01/mix-it-up-monday.html#more
Lisa @ Flour Me With Love recently posted..Cream Cheese Blintz Bars
Thanks Lisa!
Everyone, these are as wonderful as they sound. Can you believe my surprise Christmas Eve when I opened my goodie can and found a bunch of them? I’m thinking…better than the originals. These creamy centers were very smooth and I remember the originals being a bit more “gritty”. YUM, YUM, YUM!
Love, Mom
I’m glad you liked them.
How have I never heard of this candy before??? Well obviously I need to make some of these so I can find out what I was missing
They look amazing!
Thanks Trish!
You had me at vanilla nougat. : )
Lisa recently posted..Skylander Party Favor Keychains {Tutorial}
LOL, me too…
I’m a native Oregonian and I remember Mountain Bars well. As a kid I had a serious addiction to Cherry Mountain Bars. Yum. Now I want one–or five.
Me too!
OH.MY.GOODNESS! I just bet I could eat a MOUNTAIN of these delicious bites of yum. ;-} Thanks so much for sharing. Pinning!!
The Better Baker recently posted..Skinny Skillet Lasagna
Thanks for the pin!
Thanks for linking up at Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s! You know I never saw these when we lived there but boy I am going to try these. I bet they are way better than the original ones anyway!
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen recently posted..Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s #5
Thanks Chandra!
I have never heard of these guys! Yummy!
Holly Lefevre recently posted..Berry Cobbler Squares
Never heard of them, but definitely want to try! Thanks so much for linking up at Two-Cup Tuesday! See ya again next week!
Karyn – Pint Sized Baker recently posted..Two-Cup Tuesday No.1
For sure Karyn!
What? I lived in Tacoma for 6 years and have never heard of them! But they sure look delicious!!!
Michael Ann recently posted..Banana Bourbon Pound Cake
Almond Roca was the biggie from that place, I think. Mountain Bars were the ugly stepsister, lol. Thanks so much!
When my mother was pregnant with me, she got a CRAVING for Mountain Bars. She had $2 in her pocket, and walked to the grocery store, a mile or two, bought all the mountain bars she could for the $2, and ate them all before she got home….
Thank you for this recipe, it would make my mother laugh to make them for her.
Thank you for sharing your memory! I love when food evokes them. I hope your mom gets a good laugh!
These look awesome. But the 100Grand. Off to see those next!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Friday Things
Thanks Averie!
I need to make that fudge again…
Wow, you have some crazy good recipes here. First time visitor. I have never heard of mountain bars but am excited to try this. Pinning them now.
Thanks for the pin!
I’ve not heard of these, but boy oh boy they do sound delicious! Thanks for sharing!
The Partiologist recently posted..Chocolate Snowmen!
Wow, I’ve never heard of these but they look like a million bucks–thanks!
Thanks!
I have never heard of these (I’m in Australia) but they sound and look absolutely delish.. i will definatley
be making these tomorrow.. there is no doubt my hubby and kids will love them.. if i don’t eat them
all first.
I hope you enjoy them!
Am from PNW and always loved Mountain Bars, especially the cherry ones. Add a marachino cherry and some juice in the filling for a real show stopper. Thanks for the trip down memory lane Dorothy.
Thank you! I have to try making them now.
I had forgotten all about these wonderful candy bars. In High School I had one or two every day, then they suddenly disappeared. Thanks for taking the time to experiment and come up with the copycat. I made a batch and they went like “hot cakes” at work. Looks like another batch is on the way.
Yay! I’m so glad you liked them.
I need to make the peanut butter and cherry ones!
When I was traveling this past Dec and pre-Xmas, I was going to make Bounty Bars. Which are sort of like Mountain Bars. I never got around to it and then shelved the idea…and now, I want to make both of them. That center/filling – that is dreamy stuff Dorothy!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..10 Favorite Chocolate Cake Recipes
It totally is! It’s amazing it made it off the spoon into the chocolate instead of into my mouth, ha!
I have lived in Washington all of my life, and love Mountain bars. I have been to the little Brown @ Haley company in Tacoma a few times. I don’t know if you are aware of this or not, but many years ago, they also made chocolate filled mountain bars which were my very favorite. If you ever get or create the recipe for those,could you please e-mail the recipe to me? I would greatly appreciate it. In the mean time, can’t wait to try these ones!
Blessings,
Marie
OMG really??? CHOCOLATE ones? You have to tell me, was it just sweet chocolate truffle? Or milk chocolate? I have to recreate those!
Growing up, the choices were the original, which is the white center, chocolate, peanut butter and cherry. The chocolate was by far my favorite. It had the identical outside, and the center had the same consistency as the white, possibly a touch creamier, and of course a brown colored center.. Fabulous candy
. I just noticed you have a Pinterest account. I will gladly follow you in hopes someday, you will come up with the recipe.
Thanks for your quick response.
Marie Moore
i live in Tacoma and saw that you missed the mountain bars. i i love them too. And if if you wanted I could send some to you if you wish. i enjoying reading your recipes. thank you
Oh you’re so sweet! I couldn’t ask you to do that, but thank you.
Went in Walgreens yesterday and they had a HEAP of Mountain Bars in the front of the store. Of course, I DO live in Washington
Oh, I am so jealous you have no idea!
Have I told you that I LOVE you????
Thank you!
Love your site
Thanks!!