Payday Candy Bars
Indulge your sweet tooth with these homemade Payday Candy Bars, a no-bake treat that perfectly balances salty and sweet in every bite. This easy-to-follow recipe combines layers of crunchy salted peanuts with a creamy nougat filling made from melted marshmallows, sweetened condensed milk, and buttery caramel bits. Infused with a hint of vanilla, these irresistible bars are quick to make, requiring just 15 minutes of prep time and simple pantry staples. Perfect for satisfying cravings or gifting, these copycat candy bars deliver the nostalgic flavor of store-bought PayDay bars right from the comfort of your kitchen—all without any complicated techniques.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups Salted peanuts
- 0.5 cup Unsalted butter
- 14 ounces Sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups Marshmallows
- 1.5 cups Caramel bits
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
Line a 9x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, making sure the paper extends slightly over the edges for easy lifting later.
Spread 1 1/4 cups of the salted peanuts evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish to create the base layer.
In a medium-sized saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter and sweetened condensed milk together, stirring frequently to combine.
Add the marshmallows to the saucepan and stir continuously until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
Stir in the caramel bits and vanilla extract, continuing to stir until everything is fully combined and the caramel bits are melted.
Carefully pour the nougat mixture over the layer of peanuts in the baking dish, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/4 cups of salted peanuts over the top of the nougat mixture, gently pressing them down to adhere.
Allow the bars to set at room temperature for 2–3 hours, or place them in the refrigerator for about an hour to speed up the process.
Once set, lift the parchment paper out of the baking dish and transfer the bars to a cutting board.
Using a sharp knife, cut the candy into 16 bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5864 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 334.2 g | 428% | |
| Saturated Fat | 117.4 g | 587% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 57.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 319 mg | 106% | |
| Sodium | 2326 mg | 101% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 618.9 g | 225% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 34.3 g | 122% | |
| Total Sugars | 504.5 g | ||
| Protein | 148.1 g | 296% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 1602 mg | 123% | |
| Iron | 7.5 mg | 42% | |
| Potassium | 4505 mg | 96% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
