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With two layers of chocolate, creamy nougat, peanuts, and plenty of caramel, these Homemade Snickers Bars taste just like the real candy bar. Learn how to make homemade candy (quite possibly even better than store bought!) in just 40 minutes.
Every December, my sister-in-law Erin has a Baking Day. Yes, itโs so iconic, I now capitalize it like an official holiday! She takes a day off work to bake cookies and create platter upon platter of homemade candies for Christmas. Cookies, candies, brownies, bars; you name it, and she does it all by herself.
Wistfully envious and 2,500 miles away, I recently perfected Homemade Snickers Bars so I can embark on my on Baking Day any time of the year. (Donโt mind me as I add OREO Cookie Balls, Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake, and Cheesecake Bars to the line-up, too.)
Donโt be intimidated by the multiple layers. This homemade candy bar recipe only takes 40 minutes and the rich chocolate-caramel, nut-spiked results are well worth the time and effort.
Two layers of semi-sweet chocolate (which I prefer over the milk chocolate in โrealโ Snickers bars) sandwiches marshmallowy nougat, crunch peanuts, and luscious caramel. Store-bought marshmallow fluff and a bag of caramels make this chocolate dessert recipe surprisingly simple.
Beyond that, you just have to melt chocolate and peanut butter together. In the microwave. Just like Erin, youโve got this!
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Creamy peanut butter: Since itโs mixed with chocolate chips for the first and fourth layers, I give you full permission to start with a jar of peanut butter from the store. JIF, Skippy, Peter Pan; any brand will do. If youโre feeling ambitious, whip up a batch of Homemade Peanut Butter. (See below for allergen-friendly alternatives.)
- Caramels: Look for baking caramels by the bag in the candy or baking aisle. Unwrap each one to melt down with heavy cream for the third layer of these Homemade Snickers Bars. If you want to make caramel sauce from scratch, have at it!
Step-by-step instructions
To make layer 1 (chocolate):
- Line the bottom of an 11-inch by 7-inch baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper.ย In a small bowl, combine 1 cup chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons peanut butter. Microwave for 60 seconds at full power and stir to combine. Microwave a few more seconds if needed, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Pour chocolate mixture into prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Freeze until the chocolate is hard, about 2 to 3 minutes.
To make layer 2 (nougat):
- In a medium sized bowl, combine marshmallow fluff, ยผ cup peanut butter, and 1 ยฝ cups powdered sugar. Using a wooden spoon or strong spatula, stir until a soft nougat dough ball forms.ย
- Remove nougat dough from the bowl and press on top of hardened chocolate layer.
- Sprinkle 1 cup peanuts on top of nougat and gently press them down.
To make layer 3 (caramel):
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 11 ounces caramels and ยผ cup heavy cream. Stir constantly until caramels have melted and cream is incorporated.ย
- Pour immediately over the peanut layer, using the back of a spoon to spread evenly.
- Refrigerate until caramel has set, about 5 minutes.
To make layer 4 (chocolate):
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons peanut butter. Microwave for 60 seconds at full power and stir to combine. Microwave a few more seconds if needed, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Pour chocolate mixture over caramel layer and spread evenly. Refrigerate until chocolate layer has hardened, about 10 minutes.
- Using a sharp knife, cut into 12 bars and serve.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This Homemade Snickers Bar recipe makes 12 servings.
- Storage: Store these bars covered in the refrigerator (or, if you live in a cold climate, on your patio or in the garage during the chilly winter months).
Recipe FAQs
If youโre not allergic to tree nuts, too, consider making these with almond butter, cashew butter, or walnut butter. For a nut-free solution, try sunflower seed butter. Instead of dry-roasted nuts, trade in chopped toasted walnuts or even broken pretzel pieces. While the latter peanut substitute will taste a lot different from a classic Snickers bar, itโs still delicious. Think of it as similar to a Take 5 bar!
You bet. Assemble Homemade Snickers Bars in a 9- by 13-inch pan. The 11- by 7-incher is about two-thirds of the size, so opting for a 9- by 13-inch pan instead will result in larger, thinner bars (that are still 100% tasty).
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Homemade Snickers Bars
Ingredientsย
For layer 1 (chocolate):
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (see note 1)
For layer 2 (nougat):
- 7 ounces marshmallow fluff
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup dry roasted unsalted peanuts
For layer 3 (caramel):
- 11 ounces caramels unwrapped (see note 2)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
For layer 4 (chocolate):
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
Instructionsย
To make layer 1:
- Line the bottom of an 11-inch by 7-inch baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper.ย
- In a small bowl, combine 1 cup chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons peanut butter. Microwave for 60 seconds at full power and stir to combine. Microwave a few more seconds if needed, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Pour chocolate mixture into prepared pan and spread evenly. Freeze until the chocolate is hard, about 2 to 3 minutes.
To make layer 2:
- In a medium sized bowl, combine marshmallow fluff, ยผ cup peanut butter, and 1 ยฝ cups powdered sugar. Using a wooden spoon or strong spatula, stir until a soft nougat dough ball forms.ย
- Remove nougat dough from the bowl and press on top of hardened chocolate layer. Sprinkle 1 cup peanuts on top of nougat and gently press them down.
To make layer 3:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 11 ounces caramels and ยผ cup heavy cream. Stir constantly until caramels have melted and cream is incorporated.ย
- Pour immediately over the peanut layer, using the back of a spoon to spread evenly. Refrigerate until caramel has set, about 5 minutes.
To make layer 4:
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons peanut butter. Microwave for 60 seconds at full power and stir to combine. Microwave a few more seconds if needed, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Pour chocolate mixture over caramel layer and spread evenly. Refrigerate until chocolate layer has hardened, about 10 minutes. Using a sharp knife, cut into 12 bars and serve.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Peanut butter: Since itโs mixed with chocolate chips for the first and fourth layers, I give you full permission to start with a jar of peanut butter from the store. JIF, Skippy, Peter Pan; any brand will do. If youโre feeling ambitious, whip up a batch of Homemade Peanut Butter. (See below for allergen-friendly alternatives.
- Caramels: Look for baking caramels by the bag in the candy or baking aisle. Unwrap each one to melt down with heavy cream for the third layer of these Homemade Snickers Bars. If you want to make caramel sauce from scratch, have at it!
- Yield: This Homemade Snickers Bar recipe makes 12 servings.
- Storage: Store these bars covered in the refrigerator (or, if you live in a cold climate, on your patio or in the garage during the chilly winter months).
We made these for my food allergy kids who have never had a real life candy bar. I subbed in sunbutter and pecans. It tasted better on day two and I think the chocolate could be a little
Lighter โ maybe sunbutter doesnโt hold its own the way peanut butter might. I was thinking of trying milk chocolate the next time. Thank you for this recipe!
Youโre welcome, Melissa. I hope your next batch is perfect. โ Meggan
Havenโt tasted this yet, but if you can make it in 20 minutes, I want to watch you!!
Hi Annie, thanks for writing. Total time for the recipe is 40 minutes, wish I could make it quicker for you, though! โ Meggan