Homemade Payday Candy Bars Recipe: Sweet & Salty Bliss

Sweet memories of childhood snacks come flooding back with these homemade Payday candy bars that capture the nostalgic crunch and salty-sweet flavor.

Store shelves pale in comparison to the delectable magic you can create right in your kitchen.

Peanuts and caramel dance together in a symphony of texture and taste that beats any packaged treat.

The classic Payday candy bars recipe delivers pure delight with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Simple ingredients blend seamlessly to recreate a beloved candy bar that feels both familiar and extraordinary.

Crafting these bars connects you to a world of comfort and pure indulgence.

Let’s find out this recipe and rediscover the joy of a classic confection made with love.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 259 kcal

Servings: 17

Copycat Payday Candy Bars Ingredient Rundown

• Salty Roasted Peanuts: Provides robust nutty foundation and signature crunch, choose high-quality roasted peanuts with consistent size and golden brown color for best texture and flavor intensity.
• Mini Marshmallows: Creates smooth binding element, ensures soft chewy consistency and helps hold ingredients together, select fresh marshmallows without hardened edges.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk, Dulce De Leche: Delivers rich caramel-like sweetness and crucial moisture, acts as primary adhesive for ingredients, opt for thick and smooth varieties without crystallization.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: Enhances nutty depth and contributes silky texture, select smooth brands without separation for seamless blending.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create smooth melting consistency, ensure room temperature for easier mixing and even distribution.

Equipment Needed for Copycat Payday Bars

• 9×9-inch pan: Essential for creating the perfect base for your candy bars.
• Parchment paper or aluminum foil: Crucial for easy removal and cleanup.
• Heavy saucepan: Ideal for melting butter and marshmallows smoothly.
• Rubber spatula: Perfect for spreading mixture evenly and scraping sides.
• Roasting pan: Needed for water bath method when making dulce de leche.
• Sharp knife: Great for cutting clean, precise bars after chilling.
• Measuring cups: Helps ensure accurate ingredient proportions.
• Whisk: Excellent for combining caramel and peanut butter mixture.

How to Make Copycat Payday Candy Bars

• Caramel Preparation

Slowly transform sweetened condensed milk into rich, golden caramel by creating a water bath method. Place milk in a non-stick pan, cover with foil, and submerge in a larger pan filled with hot water. Bake until the liquid transforms into a luscious caramel sauce.

• Peanut Foundation

Create a sturdy base by spreading a generous layer of crunchy peanuts across a lined baking pan. This will provide a delightful textural contrast to the smooth caramel.

• Creamy Mixture

Combine melted butter and marshmallows in a saucepan, whisking until smooth. Introduce dulce de leche and peanut butter, stirring until the mixture becomes a silky, irresistible blend.

• Layer Construction

Pour the creamy mixture over the peanut foundation, ensuring even coverage. Sprinkle additional peanuts on top, gently pressing them into the caramel for maximum crunch and visual appeal.

• Cooling and Serving

Refrigerate the creation until firm, allowing flavors to meld and texture to set. Slice into delectable squares and enjoy your homemade treat. Store in a cool place, where it will remain fresh and tempting for several days.

Tips for Assembling Homemade Payday Bars

• Swap regular peanuts with roasted almonds, cashews, or pecans for a personalized flavor profile that adds delightful crunch and unique taste.
• Melt dark, milk, or white chocolate and drizzle over finished bars for extra indulgence and professional-looking presentation.
• Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top after setting to create a gourmet sweet-salty contrast that elevates the entire candy bar experience.
• Prepare the dulce de leche and bars up to three days in advance, storing them in an airtight container to save time and reduce day-of kitchen stress.
• For crunchier bars, toast the peanuts in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes before spreading them in the pan, which intensifies their nutty flavor and adds extra crispness.

Serving Copycat Payday Candy Bars Neatly

• Party Platter Perfection: Create a stunning dessert display by arranging these copycat Payday bars on a rustic wooden board with scattered whole peanuts and a drizzle of extra caramel.
• Sweet Gifting Delight: Package these homemade candy bars in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine, making them a perfect homemade gift for peanut lovers or during holiday seasons.
• Dessert Companion Magic: Pair these bars with a cold glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or serve alongside a rich espresso for an indulgent treat that elevates the entire snacking experience.
• Picnic and Potluck Star: Slice these bars into bite-sized pieces for easy sharing at family gatherings, summer picnics, or community potlucks where portable, delicious treats are always welcome.

Storing Homemade Payday Candy Bars

• Tasty Storage Solutions: Smart Strategies for Your Copycat Payday Bars
• Chill and Seal: Wrap each bar individually in wax paper or plastic wrap to prevent sticking and maintain freshness. This method keeps bars separated and protects their texture.
• Refrigerator Haven: Store bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for maximum longevity. They'll stay delicious and firm for up to one week, retaining their perfect chewy consistency.
• Room Temperature Trick: If enjoying within 2-3 days, keep bars in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Cooler kitchen spots work best to maintain their delightful shape.
• Freezing Magic: Extend enjoyment by freezing bars for up to one month. Layer between parchment paper inside a freezer-safe container, then thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Irresistible Copycat Payday Candy Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Homemade Payday Candy Bars deliver classic peanut flavor with sweet nostalgia. Salty peanuts and silky caramel combine for a simple yet irresistible treat you will devour quickly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 32 oz (907 g) salty roasted peanuts (divided)
• 1 cup (240 ml) creamy peanut butter
• 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk or dulce de leche
• 2 cups (50 g) mini marshmallows
• 4 tbsps (¼ cup / 56 g) unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Caramel Preparation: Heat oven to 400°F (204°C). Pour sweetened condensed milk into a shallow non-stick loaf pan, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and place inside a larger roasting pan filled with hot water halfway up the milk pan’s sides.
2. Baking and Cooling: Bake condensed milk for one hour, then remove and cool completely at room temperature to create homemade dulce de leche.
3. Peanut Base: Line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper, evenly distribute two cups of unsalted peanuts across the bottom as the initial layer.
4. Marshmallow Fusion: In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, then thoroughly incorporate marshmallows until smooth and completely melted.
5. Caramel Fusion: Reduce heat to low, whisk in homemade dulce de leche and peanut butter until fully integrated. Pour mixture carefully over peanut layer, using a rubber spatula to spread evenly and eliminate potential lumps.
6. Topping and Setting: Sprinkle remaining peanuts on top, gently pressing them into the caramel mixture. Refrigerate for two hours until firm and easily sliceable.
7. Final Preparation: Remove from refrigerator, lift confection using parchment paper edges, transfer to cutting board. Slice into uniform squares or bars using a sharp knife. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to one week, or in a cool, dry location to maintain optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

• Precise Pan Setup: Use non-stick loaf pan and line 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cutting.
• Temperature Control: Water bath technique ensures gentle, even heating for homemade dulce de leche without burning.
• Melting Technique: Stir marshmallows continuously over medium heat, then reduce to low when adding other ingredients to prevent scorching.
• Storage Wisdom: Refrigerate for firm texture, store in airtight container up to one week, keeping bars cool prevents melting and maintains optimal consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 259
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg