These Homemade Snickers will be your favorite candy bar, so skip the trip to the candy shop. This delicious dessert will be an instant hit with your kids. Making Snickers bars may take some time, but this perfect chocolate and peanut treat will certainly be worth it.
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Snickers Bars: A Delicious History
Snickers bars were invented in the 1930s by the Mars company. The combination of nougat, chocolate, and peanut butter was instantly popular, but the original price of the candy caused a stir- they were originally sold for 20 cents, when most candies then were sold for 5 cents! Snickers bars were called Marathon bars in the UK and Ireland until 1990.
Today, Snickers are enjoyed all over the world in many different flavors, like white chocolate, dark chocolate, and hazelnut. These delicious homemade Snickers bars taste just like the real thing- except they taste even better than store bought! There is something special about the chocolate and nougat and caramel coming together.
Why This Homemade Candy Bar Recipe is a Keeper
- Family Friendly: Your kids are sure to love this chocolate and peanut-filled dessert! Learn how to make homemade snickers candy in no time.
- Adaptable: Peanuts can be removed due to allergies or personal taste, and other ingredients can be added, such as caramel bits or marshmallows.
If you’re looking for more dessert recipes, try these: Twix Cookie Bars, Peanut Butter Cookie Bars, and Easy No Bake Snickers Pie.
What is the Best Way to Cut these Homemade Snickers Bars?
Use long strokes with a knife to cut the bars after you’ve chilled them. Short movements will make your bars uneven and lead to crumbling.
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Ingredient Notes for this Homemade Candy
Snickers bars are full of ingredients sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Here are a few this recipe uses:
- Milk Chocolate Chips: Milk chocolate is the best chocolate to use for making these homemade Snickers, but if you’d prefer, you can use another kind of chocolate in this recipe.
- Salted Peanuts: Use roughly-chopped salted peanuts to make this dessert crunchy, salty, and sweet.
- Caramel: This smooth ingredient will make your dessert taste just like a Snickers candy bar.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions Recipe Tips to Use for Making Candy with Peanut Butter, Caramel and Chocolate Chips
This recipe makes a bar that everyone will be asking for. Make your homemade Snickers with peanut butter bars even more delicious:
- Different Nuts: Substitute peanuts for different nuts, such as cashews, pralines, or pecans.
- Different Chocolate Chips: Instead of milk chocolate chips, try a variety of flavors, just like the Snickers candy bar. Use dark chocolate or white chocolate chips, or add a mixture.
- Peanut Butter Substitution: In case of peanut allergies or personal preference, use cookie butter in place of peanut butter for these dessert bars.
- Saucepan: Use a small saucepan and make a double boiler if you do not have a microwave.
Special Equipment Needed to Make Snickers Bars
- Candy Thermometer: If you’re making your own caramel, a candy thermometer will help you caramelize the sugar to just the right temperature.
How to Make a Homemade Snickers Bar
Although this homemade candy bar may take some time, by the end, you’ll have a rich, chocolatey dessert that your family will want to enjoy again and again!
These are the basic steps for making homemade Snickers bars. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Line the Pan with Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil
Line a 9×13 pan with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
STEP 2: Melt Chocolate Chips for Bottom Chocolate Layer
Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter over a double boiler or in the microwave on 50% power in a microwave safe dish. If using the microwave, cook for 1 minute then stir. Continue cooking in 30 second increments until chocolate is melted.
STEP 3: Pour the Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter Mixture
Pour mixture into the pan and spread out evenly. Place pan in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
STEP 4: Make the Second Layer and Spread Evenly
While Layer 1 is chilling, begin making Layer 2. Melt butter in a medium sized pot over medium heat.
STEP 5: Add Milk and Sugar
Add in milk and sugar, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil and let cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
STEP 6: Add Ingredients and Stir
Add in marshmallow fluff, peanut butter and vanilla, and stir until smooth. Remove pot from heat and fold in peanuts.
STEP 7: Spread Nougat for the Homemade Version
Make the nougat layer by spreading the nougat filling on top of the chocolate layer. Allow to cool completely.
STEP 8: Make the Caramels and Heavy Whipping Cream Layer
While the nougat layer is cooling, place caramels and whipped cream in medium pot. Cook over low heat for about 10-15 minutes (until smooth), stirring occasionally, then pour over nougat layer and allow to cool completely.
STEP 9: Make the Chocolate Layer in a Microwave Safe Bowl
For the top chocolate layer, melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter over a double boiler or in the microwave on 50% power. If using the microwave for 60 seconds and stir. Continue cooking in 30 second increments and stir the chocolate until it is fully melted.
STEP 10: Cover the Caramel Layer
Pour melted chocolate mixture evenly over the cooled caramel layer and spread to cover the entire layer.
STEP 11: Chill and Remove Foil
Place pan in refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours or until all layers have cooled and firmed up. Lift the foil sling out of the pan and slowly peel the foil away. Then, cut the Snickers into bars. Store them in the fridge until they’re ready to serve.
Recipe FAQs to Make Homemade Snickers Dessert Bars
Expert Tips for Making This Copycat Recipe
- Caramel Bits: Try this recipe with bits of caramel to your Snickers bar for some extra sweetness.
- Marshmallow Fluff: Make your own marshmallow fluff with our recipe.
What to Serve with Homemade Snickers Bars
Homemade Snickers Bar
Equipment
- Mixing Spoons
- Measuring Bowls
- Candy Thermometer optional
Ingredients
Layer 1
- 1 ½ cups Milk chocolate chips
- ¼ cup Peanut butter
Layer 2
- ¼ cup Unsalted butter
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 7 ounces Marshmallow fluff, 1 jar
- ¼ cup Peanut butter
- ¼ cup Evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 cup Salted peanuts, roughly chopped
Layer 3
- 14 ounces Caramels, 1 bag
- ¼ cup Whipping cream
Layer 4
- 1 ½ cup Milk chocolate chips
- ¼ cup Peanut butter
Instructions
- Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter over a double boiler or in the microwave on 50% power. If using the microwave, cook for 1 minute then stir. Continue cooking in 30 second increments until chocolate is melted.
- Pour mixture into the pan and spread out evenly. Place pan in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
- While Layer 1 is chilling, begin making Layer 2.
- Melt butter in a medium sized pot over medium heat.
- Add in milk and sugar, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.Bring to a boil and let cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add marshmallow fluff, peanut butter and vanilla and stir until smooth.
- Remove pot from heat and fold in peanuts.
- Spread the nougat filling on top of the chocolate layer.
- Allow to cool completely.
- While Layer 2 is cooling, place caramels and whipped cream in medium pot.
- Cook over low heat for about 10-15 minutes (or until smooth), stirring occasionally.
- Pour over nougat layer and allow to cool completely.
- For Layer 4, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter over a double boiler or in the microwave on 50% power. If using the microwave, cook for 1 minute then stir. Continue cooking in 30 second increments until chocolate is melted.
- Pour chocolate mixture evenly over the cooled caramel layer and spread to cover the entire layer.
- Place pan in refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours or until all layers have cooled and firmed up.
- Lift the foil sling out of the pan and slowly peel the foil away.
- Cut into bars.
Expert Tips
- Caramel Bits: Try this recipe with bits of caramel to your Snickers bar for some extra sweetness.
- Marshmallow Fluff: Make your own marshmallow fluff with our recipe.
These are a fan favorite in my house. My nephew asks me if I made them every time there’s a family occasion!
My hubs LOVES snickers. I think I will win an award when I make these for him!
These look amazing and who doesn’t love snickers bars.
Pinned for later 🙂 It sounds easier than it looks!
Thanks, Rachel! These are so good!