This is it folks.
The homestretch before Halloween.
Which inevitably means the last week of VeganMoFo.
We have been having fun, haven’t we?
I’ll be so sad to see it go… so in its honor,
This week shall be:
A week dedicated to all things No Holds Barred.
Anything goes.
What comes next?
Nobody knows.
Is the suspense getting thick in the air?
Allow me to ease it just for today as I bring to you yet another candy.
Yes. Another one.
I dedicate these creatures
to all you who have forgotten once
(or 800 hundred times)
where you placed your keys;
To those who can’t remember for the life of them
the birthdates of those important to them
(or even your own);
And to those who habitually walk into rooms
and immediately forget what they were doing there in the first place.
This is your candy bar:
The Whatchamacallit.
No more need to sweat over memory loss
because the Whatchamacallit
gives you the day off from that medical condition
we call “brain farting.”
Between the:
peanut butter,
caramel,
rice crisps,
and dark chocolate;
you won’t even blink twice at the fact
that this candy has the easiest name to remember/
hide the fact that you can’t remember its name.
Whatchamacallit Candy Bar Recipe
Makes 12 mini-bars
INGREDIENTS:
-
1 c. vegan chocolate chips (melted)
-
1 c. rice crisps cereal (try Koala Krisps for vegan; Enjoy Life Rice Crisp cereal if gluten free only).
-
1/2 c. natural, creamy peanut butter
For caramel layer: (Make caramel after you have completed the first and second layers of your candy)
-
1/2 c. hemp milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)
-
1/4 c. brown sugar
-
1/4 c. Earth Balance
-
1/8 c. light corn syrup
- 1/8 c. agave
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Throw all the ingredients for the caramel (EXCEPT the vanilla extract) into a small saucepan and melt on medium heat. Stir continuously. Once mixture begins to boil, add candy thermometer. Leave alone without stirring until it gets between 250-270* F.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Pour as 3rd layer in loaf pan.
DIRECTIONS:
-
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
-
Thinly coat bottom layer with 1/2 c. melted chocolate.
-
In a separate bowl, combine rice cereal and peanut butter. Gently layer it on top of the chocolate. Place in freezer while you make the caramel.
4. Pour caramel on top for third layer once made. Freeze again for 10 minutes.
5. Remove parchment paper from pan. Carefully cut candy into 6 slices. Cut each rectangle in half.
6. With the remaining 1/2 c. melted chocolate, dip each side of the candy individually.
Allow bars to set for a couple of hours on the counter
(or if you are impatient like me, you can freeze them for 15 minutes).
Even skeleton bones
need a Whatchamacallit every once in a while.
Hey look!
There goes one now, stealing one of mine…
I always make extras to share…



















48 comments
Diane says:
Apr 23, 2013
Cara,
In step 5 the second photograph shows the chocolate right side up. Did you flip it? Sorry to bother you but my left brain is not comprehending:)) Thank you for these gre at treats!! You are one of my favorites!!
Diane
Cara says:
Apr 24, 2013
Hi Diane! Yes, after you freeze it or allow it to set, you are going to take it out by the parchment paper, cut it into small bars and dip each piece into melted chocolate in order to fully coat. Hope that helps.
Karista says:
Sep 6, 2012
OH wow! I’d show my girls this post but I’d end up with whatchamacallit’s all over the kitchen. I may however make them as a special weekend treat. Because I think I need to eat a whatchamacallit!
Amy says:
Mar 28, 2012
thanks!!! Can’t wait to try these!! Looking forward to making Easter candy this year!!! Thanks!
Amy says:
Mar 28, 2012
Can you use brown rice syrup instead of corn syrup? I am looking forward to making these!!! So glad I found your site!!
Cara says:
Mar 28, 2012
Hi Amy! I don’t see why not about the brown rice syrup. Since this recipe, I have found a MUCH easier way to make caramel if you are interested. AND it’s healthy:
16 dates, soaked in water for 1 hour
1/2 c. agave nectar or maple syrup
4-5 Tbs coconut oil
7 Tbs water
Pinch of salt
Instructions
1.De-pit and chop dates into thick chunks.
2.Place all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until completely smooth. Takes a good 5 minutes to get the right consistency.
Raw caramel! Enjoy
nicole says:
Oct 29, 2011
these. are. excellent.
i LOVE watchamacallits and was sad to not have them anymore.
with the first batch, i used unsweetened soy milk … left kinda a soy-milk aftertaste to the caramel (not bad, per se, just not what i was going for.) and for the second batch, i used unsweetened almond milk — HEAVEN.
thanks for the great recipe!
Cara says:
Oct 29, 2011
Oh goodie! I am so happy to hear this and glad you kept trying at the caramel recipe! Yeah, I wasn’t that crazy after all about hemp milk in caramel. My whole world turned upside down when I was introduced to MimiCreme, though! It is AMAZING and if you plan on doing caramels again, try this as your non-dairy milk replacement (but it sounds as if you are loving the almond milk!). You will want to drink it from the box
xo, Cara
Sara says:
Oct 27, 2011
Holy balls! You’re a freakin’ rockstar! Um, I love you? (YUM!)
Cara says:
Oct 27, 2011
Holy balls. *snickering* No, I love YOU for saying that
haha. Hilarious!
Jeni Treehugger says:
Oct 24, 2011
Peanut butter, caramel,rice crispies and chocolate equals pretty much everyhting I demand from a candy bar,
I love picking all the gooey toffeeness outta me teeth afterwards almost as much as I love eating them.
<:-)
Cara says:
Oct 25, 2011
Why are you seriously the cutest, Jeni? This comment just made me smile!
Laurel says:
Oct 24, 2011
Silly thing won’t let me reply to your reply of my reply of your…
Changing the subject Big “D” is Dallas, and NO, I DID NOT VOTE FOR RICK PERRY although I have heard him called many unrepeatable things.
Yes, that was a Harry Potter reference. Aren’t they the voices in everyone’s head?
The other movie reference was to Places in the Heart and Trip to Bountiful. We’ve got all kinds of authentic Victoriana, including an old RR Depot and cotton fields going on around here. No Vegan restaurants though. Sounds like an excuse to move to Austin.
Laurel says:
Oct 24, 2011
Reply to my own reply. Those places are all in Waxahachie. Yeah, just try pronouncing a dead Indian language, go ahead.
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
Wax-aaaa-hatch-chee. You are talking to the wrong girl. I gots me American Indian running in this blood
Laurel says:
Oct 25, 2011
I’ll be here at Buffalo Creek but to squaws only.
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
My sister actually lives in the Dallas area so I know whose house I’m crashing for some treats when I visit next!!!
Rebekah says:
Oct 24, 2011
I’m jealous you got to eat these today, and I didn’t. Boooo…. Feeling more motivated than ever to make my own candy!!!
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
Well, why didn’t you come over?? I would have shared with you
Isobelle says:
Oct 24, 2011
haha!. I will have to check and see if my jar of almond butter has ears. Then I can tell it how much I love it more than peanut butter.
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
Oh the slander!!!!
Isobelle says:
Oct 24, 2011
Yummmm! I love how all the insides look together. I would probably have to use almond butter if I made these though. Sorry Cara, I just can’t do the peanut butter.
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
*I just covered the ears on my jar of peanut butter* Booooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hehehe. I forgive you, Isobelle
Susan Kelley says:
Oct 24, 2011
OMG, how is this even possible? These look amazing. I had forgotten Whatchamacallit even existed. Must have been self preservation. I can’t wait to try this!!!
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
Self preservation–bahaha! I couldn’t have said it any better. In fact, I had totally forgotten about them too until I was standing in line, looking at the candy aisle and it came to me. It’s been years since I have had one but they were a favorite, no doubt!
Laurel says:
Oct 24, 2011
All I’ve wanted all month is a piece of candy. Just one! Well, okay one 10 lb. bag, but have I gotten any? Any? No. People keep forcing me to make them plum pies, sweet potato pie. 2 different kinds of pumpkin cupcakes, coconut cupcakes and now a pineapple upside down cake. What is wrong with these people can’t they see I need a Whatchamacallit? I’m dying here and I haven’t even gotten a chance at that chocolate nougat yet. I need to reconsider my priorities!!!
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
Clearly your priorities are backwards! I say this because these people (whoever “they” are) are clearly not ME–I see no plum pies coming my way, nor do I see pumpkin or coconut cupcakes OR a pineapple upside down cake on my doorstep. I would be up for a trade system however…as long as your baked goods are gluten free, that is
Laurel says:
Oct 24, 2011
Of course they’re gluten free and soy free and corn free, not that I have any digestive issues, err. How close are you to Big D? I’m 45 minutes South of there and Sally Fields won one of her Oscars here. Personally, I’d much rather have candy.
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
And by Big D are we referring to Disneyland??? And Laurel, do you have a blog? I only see your name and email but if what you are telling me is true and you make GF, soy and corn free goodies, well, then I want in on the action, sister!
Laurel says:
Oct 24, 2011
Not Disneyland, although I did try to get my husband to take me on our Honeymoon. He didn’t believe me. Boo. No blog either. Blogs require cameras. organization and the ability to repeat the same action twice rather than stuffing myself silly all the while retweaking whatever it was in my head. I keep hearing Ron Weasley in my head “She needs to get her priorities right.” Either I’m possessed or I didn’t outgrow that ADD after all. Besides, don’t you have a ‘Babycakes’ in California?
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
Where is Big D????!!!! (And did you just throw in a “Harry Potter” reference?)
Maggie Muggins says:
Oct 24, 2011
This is the best theme ever! I swear, if you had thrown some nougat in there, I would jump through my computer screen just to hug you (and snatch one up). Instead you’ll just have to make due with a virtual high five.
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
I hate to break it to you but the nougat IS coming (spoiler alert). Get ready to break through that computer screen…hehe. I’ll take the virtual high five for now but will be expecting a hug soon
Lara says:
Oct 24, 2011
Okay, no you’ve really done it!! I think most of the others you have made were my faves, but THESE are my all time favorites!! Do they still even make Whatchamacallits?? Gotta make ‘em!!
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
Oh Lara, I cannot tell you how delighted I am to hear that others share the same Whatchamacallit love as I do!!! And you know, I’m not really sure if they still sell them or not. I was thinking the same thing a little earlier…but now we can make them at home
hehe
Amanda says:
Oct 24, 2011
I think you have made me the happiest vegan in the world! Before my vegan days, this was my absolute, hands down, favorite candy bar. I need to get to some serious candy making and this needs to be #1. I CAN’T WAIT!!
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
This is why I like you so!!! Anyone with an affinity towards a Whatchamacallit is a friend in my book
Amanda says:
Oct 25, 2011
YAY and Mmmm!!
Brooke says:
Oct 24, 2011
You know I can’t remember ever having one of those Whatchamacallits…
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
WHAT????!!!! The horror! Go to the store and buy one now. Or just look at it
I think they still sell them…
Kathy Hester (geekypoet) says:
Oct 24, 2011
I started off with baby steps. I molded plain chocolate into skulls, ghosts, cats, and witch’s hats! (Btw – the chocolate melts perfectly in a 1 1/2 quart slow cooker.)
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
FUN!!! Pictures, we want pictures!!! And I never thought about using a slow cooker to melt chocolate–brilliant because it keeps it warm. Kathy, where have you been all my life???
Kathy Hester (geekypoet) says:
Oct 24, 2011
Yum! I tried my first small candy experiment yesterday. This one looks like my next one!
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
Ooooooh a candy experiment! What did you make?
Jojo says:
Oct 24, 2011
I love your mofoing so much! Your candy bars look amazing.
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
Thank you so much JoJo! I don’t know how I am going to handle it when this month ends. It’s going to be so sad
Kate Allan says:
Oct 24, 2011
oh my! My husband is going to demand some of these I can just see it! they look AMAZING!
Cara says:
Oct 24, 2011
These candy bars HAVE been known to bring out the bossiness in others, Kate