Irresistible Homemade Payday Candy Bars Recipe for Sweet Joy

Sweet cravings for homemade payday candy bars often strike when least expected.

My childhood memories buzz with the nostalgic crunch of salty peanuts and caramel.

Some recipes feel complicated, but this version simplifies everything beautifully.

Each bite connects you to classic American snack traditions.

Peanut lovers understand the magnetic pull of sweet and salty combinations.

You can craft these delightful treats with basic kitchen ingredients.

The magic happens when simple components merge into something extraordinary.

Prepare to experience a delectable journey that will delight your taste buds.

Why Homemade Payday Bars Hit the Sweet Spot

• Experiment with different types of roasted peanuts or add a sprinkle of sea salt for extra flavor complexity and personal touch.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth with layers of creamy nougat, rich caramel, and salty peanuts that deliver a restaurant-quality candy bar experience right at home.
• Prepare these bars in advance and store them easily for up to two weeks, making them ideal for meal prep, unexpected guests, or quick dessert solutions.

Payday Candy Bar Shopping List

• Salted Roasted Peanuts: Provides a crunchy foundation and signature nutty flavor for the homemade candy bars.

• Butter: Adds rich, creamy texture and helps blend ingredients smoothly.
• Marshmallow Fluff: Creates soft, sweet base with smooth consistency.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides sweetness and helps bind the nougat layer.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet undertones.

• Soft Caramels: Delivers classic golden sweetness and chewy texture.
• Heavy Cream: Helps melt caramels and creates smooth, velvety consistency.

Note: Select high-quality roasted peanuts with consistent size and fresh flavor. Use soft caramels from baking section for best melting performance. Choose pure vanilla extract for most authentic taste. Fresh ingredients ensure the best homemade candy bar experience.

Assembling Homemade Payday Candy Bars

Step 1: Create Nutty Base

Cover the bottom of a baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring extra paper hangs over the edges for easy lifting. Spread a generous layer of roasted salted peanuts across the entire pan surface.

• Roasted salted peanuts
• Parchment paper

Step 2: Whip Up Fluffy Nougat

• Marshmallow fluff
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Vanilla extract

Stir until the mixture transforms into a silky, smooth consistency. Pour this dreamy nougat layer over the peanut foundation, using a spatula to create an even surface.

Step 3: Develop Creamy Caramel

Combine soft caramels and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short bursts, stirring between each interval, until the mixture melts into a luxurious golden liquid. Drizzle this caramel goodness over the nougat layer, spreading carefully to cover completely.

Step 4: Add Crunchy Peanut Topping

Sprinkle the remaining peanuts across the caramel layer. Gently press the nuts to ensure they stick perfectly to the sweet foundation.

Step 5: Chill and Prepare

Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least two hours. The candy needs time to set and solidify into a delectable treat.

Step 6: Slice and Serve

Remove the candy from the refrigerator. Using the parchment paper overhangs, lift the entire creation out of the pan. Slice into individual bars using a sharp knife.

Step 7: Store and Enjoy

Keep the candy bars in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for five days or up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Perfect for satisfying sudden sweet cravings!

Tips for Payday Candy Bar Success

• Maximize Nougat Texture: Stir constantly while heating marshmallow fluff to prevent burning and achieve a silky, smooth consistency that blends perfectly with other ingredients.
• Caramel Melting Hack: Use low microwave power and short intervals to prevent caramel from scorching, ensuring a glossy, perfectly melted sauce for your candy bars.
• Peanut Placement Pro: Press peanuts gently into the caramel layer to create a secure bond, preventing them from falling off when cutting or eating the candy bars.
• Cutting Clean Bars: Use a sharp, room-temperature knife and wipe it clean between cuts to create neat, professional-looking candy bars with crisp edges.
• Storage Smart Tip: Wrap individual bars in wax paper before storing to prevent sticking and maintain the candy's fresh texture for maximum enjoyment.

Storing Homemade Payday Candy Bars Simply

• Store homemade Payday bars in an airtight container, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature or 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
• Separate each bar with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicious texture.
• Carefully place bars in a freezer-safe container, where they'll stay good for 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
• Keep bars away from humid environments to prevent caramel from becoming sticky and peanuts from losing their crunch.

What Goes with Payday Candy Bars

• Smooth, cool chocolate milk balances the sweet and salty notes of the homemade Payday candy bars, creating a delightful dessert experience.
• The rich, creamy espresso drink cuts through the sugary caramel and provides a sophisticated contrast to the nutty peanut layers.
• A thick, cold milkshake echoes the caramel flavors while adding extra indulgence to the candy bar's texture and sweetness.
• The bold, slightly bitter coffee helps balance the intense sweetness, creating a perfect afternoon treat pairing.

Homemade Payday Candy Bar Mix-Ups to Try

Gluten-Free Peanut Paradise: Replace marshmallow fluff with gluten-free marshmallow brand and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly option.

Vegan Nutty Delight: Swap sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk, use vegan caramels, and select plant-based marshmallow alternative for dairy-free lovers.

Low-Sugar Peanut Crunch: Substitute regular caramels with sugar-free caramel chips, use sugar-free marshmallow fluff, and select natural sweetener to reduce overall sugar content.

Almond Alternative Bar: Replace half the peanuts with raw almonds, use almond butter instead of caramel for different nutty profile and texture variation.

Homemade Payday Candy Bars Recipe

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4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent Homemade Payday Candy Bars bring salty-sweet nostalgia from childhood right onto your dessert plate. Rich peanut clusters wrapped in caramel create a classic American treat perfect for satisfying sweet cravings.

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Ingredients

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Peanuts:

• 2 cups (300 g / 10.6 ounces) salted roasted peanuts, divided

Nougat Components:

• ¼ cup (60 g / 2 ounces) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (250 g / 8.8 ounces) marshmallow fluff
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fluid ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Caramel Layer:

• 1 (14 oz / 400 g) bag of soft caramels
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml / 1 fluid ounce) heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Prepare a rectangular baking dish by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring the edges extend slightly over the sides for effortless candy bar removal.
2. Create a foundational layer by evenly distributing the first portion of salted roasted peanuts across the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Craft the nougat base by gently melting butter in a saucepan, then incorporating marshmallow fluff, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform consistency.
4. Carefully pour the nougat mixture over the initial peanut layer, using a spatula to achieve a smooth, even surface.
5. Generate a luxurious caramel layer by combining soft caramels and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short intervals, stirring between each, until the mixture becomes completely fluid and glossy.
6. Cascade the molten caramel over the nougat layer, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
7. Generously distribute the remaining salted peanuts atop the caramel, applying gentle pressure to secure them in place.
8. Refrigerate the confection for a minimum of two hours, allowing it to solidify completely.
9. Extract the candy from the pan using the parchment paper edges and slice into desired bar-sized portions.
10. Preserve the homemade candy bars in an airtight container, keeping them at room temperature for up to five days or refrigerated for two weeks.

Notes

• Toast peanuts briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crispness before layering in the pan.
• Use high-quality caramels or make homemade caramel for a more intense, rich flavor profile in the recipe.
• Replace marshmallow fluff with marshmallows for a slightly different texture if unavailable, melting them slowly over low heat.
• Create gluten-free version by ensuring all ingredients like caramels and marshmallow fluff are certified gluten-free.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 130 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg