Homemade Snickers Bars
Snickers bars have long played second fiddle to my first true love: Reese’s peanut butter cups. It’s not their fault, really. Being a peanut butter-addicted kid, I always went for the treat with the highest peanut butter ratio. However, as I got older, I started to have a little affair with Snickers bars. I loved the combination of nougat, caramel, and peanuts… not to mention it was all covered in chocolate! I supposed I didn’t have to choose a favorite, did I? (Okay, if I did, I would still choose peanut butter cups, but really, I love them both!). Last year I realized how amazing homemade peanut butter cups were (aren’t most things better homemade, anyway?!), so when I saw a homemade version of Snickers on Jessica’s site earlier this year, I knew it was only a matter of time before my kitchen (and my shirt, arms, and hair) was splattered with nougat, caramel, and melted chocolate. Turns out, these taste exactly like a Snickers bar. Let me emphasize exactly because truly, these are a spot-on recreation. Only more delicious. And sinfully addictive.
These bars have multiple steps that might make them appear a tad overwhelming or intimidating, but have no fear! Each one takes less than 10 minutes and is pretty much foolproof.
Bottom chocolate layer. Nougat layer + chopped peanuts. Caramel layer. Top chocolate layer. Done!
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Honestly, the hardest part about making these is once they are done, not eating more than five at any given point in time. I said five. Because I believe that it is impossible to eat less than five. They are dangerous and wonderful. Just like that senior your mom didn’t want you to date when you were a freshman. I guarantee your mom would approve of these. Make these, and share some with mom, or dad. (And maybe apologize for any headaches you caused during your teenage years.)
P.S. Does anyone else get as big a kick out of this Snickers commercial as I do?? “Steve was delicious!” (Although I am a sucker for any type of animal in a commercial!)
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One year ago: Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya
Two years ago: Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies
Three years ago: Bananas Foster Bread Pudding
Homemade Snickers Bars
Ingredients
For the Bottom Chocolate Layer:
- 1¼ cups (225 g) milk chocolate chips
- ¼ cup (64.5 g) creamy peanut butter
For the Nougat Layer:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (64 ml) evaporated milk
- 1½ cups (190.5 g) marshmallow fluff
- ¼ cup (64.5 g) creamy peanut butter
- 1½ cups (219 g) salted peanuts, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Caramel Layer:
- 14 ounces (396.89 g) caramels, unwrapped
- ¼ cup (59.5 ml) heavy cream
For the Top Chocolate Layer:
- 1¼ cups (225 g) milk chocolate chips
- ¼ cup (64.5 g) creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. Line with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper; set aside.
- Make the Bottom Chocolate Layer: Melt together the chocolate chips and peanut butter in the microwave on 50% power until completely smooth and melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Pour into the prepared baking dish and, using a spatula, smooth into an even layer. Refrigerate until completely cool and hard, about 30 minutes.
- Make the Nougat Layer: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar and evaporated milk, stirring until dissolved, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from heat and add the marshmallow fluff, peanut butter, and vanilla extract, stirring until completely smooth. Fold in the peanuts, then pour over the bottom chocolate layer. Again, refrigerate until completely cool, about 30 minutes.
- Make the Caramel Layer: Combine the caramels and the heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Melt, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Once completely melted, cook for an additional 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour the caramel over the nougat layer. Refrigerate until completely cool, about 30 minutes.
- Make the Top Chocolate Layer: Melt together the chocolate chips and peanut butter in the microwave on 50% power until completely smooth and melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Pour over the caramel layer and, using a spatula, smooth into an even layer. Refrigerate until completely cool and set, 30 to 60 minutes.
- Using the parchment liner, remove the bars from the pan and cut into 32 pieces. You can store these in the refrigerator or at room temperature. I find the filling to be the best consistency at room temperature, but the chocolate can get a little melty depending on how warm your house is. If your house runs warm (higher than 72 or so) you might want to keep them in the fridge and then take them out an hour or two before you want to serve them.
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I made this wonderful dessert for our school’s dessert auction and they sold for $60 and the person who bought them just ranted and raved about how delicious they were. I do have a question though….I had an issue with the top layer of chocolate popping off of the caramel….did I do something wrong? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated since I definitely plan on making them again!
Hi Cindra, So happy to hear this was a hit and raised some good money! I’m wondering if maybe the caramel layer got too hard before you poured the chocolate on, and so the layers didn’t fuse so much as the chocolate just laid on top. Next time, try pouring the chocolate on while the caramel is still a little soft (but semi-set). I hope that helps!
Great idea…..I will definitely try that the next time I make it….that should solve the problem totally. Thanks for the reply! By the way, I love getting your posts every day….they are great!
WOW! Trying these tomorrow!
Marshmallow? Uh oh, I always thought Snickers were vegetarian. Darn it!
Thanks!
Hi Connie, I do not know if the store-bought Snickers bars contain marshmallows or not in their nougat filing, you would need to check their ingredient list. It is used here to re-create the flavor and texture of the nougat.
These look so good. I am a huge fan of Snickers. I love me some PB Cups too.
these were delightful! i used semi sweet chips to make it not quite as sweet and crunchy peanut butter…they were very easy to make & a delight to eat! use parchment paper as it makes it much easier to remove from the pan :) I also put them in the freezer to solidify the layers rather than the fridge and it worked great. Stores wonderfully in the freezer as well! Thanks!
I like the “exactly” part. I can’t wait to try them!
I have made these and they are AMAZING!!!! They can get sloppy if left out so we put them in the freezer – perfect! One of our all time favorites now! With a house full of teenagers…this was a winning treat!
Oh my goodness, these look incredible! On skiing trips my husband always tucks a Snickers bar into his jacket to munch on the chair lift before a run. These bars look like a super yummy and fun alternative to our old Snicker’s bar chair-lift snack. It looks like it’s time for a new tradition, thanks for this post!
My nougat layer just went into the fridge, and I just had to come on here and say THANK YOU for posting this recipe! I found the recipe awhile back on another blog, one I had never read before. The blogger omitted the “reduce heat to low…remove from heat” step, which is very essential! Round one of the nougat was a nasty burned mess. Then I remembered your recent post and came on here – Nougat Round 2 was perfect! Can’t wait to taste these…
Hi Tara, You are welcome! I actually had the exact same problem the first time I made it – the nougat turned into a brick! So I altered the cooking temperature and time and it turned out wonderfully the second go round. I’m glad it helped you too!
made this today. AMAZING! had to call some friends nearby to take some so I dont eat it all.
Just made these and followed the directions exactly – they were fantastic! I did cut them into smaller pieces in an effort to try and behave myself!
Those look way better than a commercially made Snicker’s bars!
My dad’s favorite candy is a Snicker’s (then a Babe Ruth, but I don’t see a huge difference between the two) so this would surely be great for him!
You had me at Snickers! Will make this TODAY!
These look too good to be true!!! I love snickers!!!
Okay – how cool are you? I love snickers, but like you – my first love is the peanut butter cup (and the peanut butter M&Ms!)
Cool. Looks delish! For someone from Australia what is marshmellow fluff?
I really want to make these but don’t know what it is. Thanks :-)
Hi Tammy, Someone on the BEB Facebook page mentioned that there are some shops in Australia that sell American candy, and she has found it there. If you don’t have any luck, there are recipes online for making your own – I would suggest Googling and see what works with the ingredients you have available.
First Jessica, now you. It’s a more elaborate recipe than I usually try but I’m being worn down fast by these delicious pictures.
oh wow! It looks amazing, I love snickers and this looks just like them, I think even better!
I love all the candy and ice cream inspiration lately! These look amazing and I don’t think there’s any way I can make them or I’ll make myself sick. Zero willpower.
Oooh – you got me! I think Snickers are my all-time favorite candy bar, and the thought of replecating that magical taste at home is just blowing my mind. I’ll definitely have to give this a try! Thanks for sharing. :)
Oh my god…I think I just gained a few pounds looking at this! I’m a HUGGGEEEE Snickers fan, and I can’t wait to try this out!! Thanks a bunch :0)
Love this. I feel like your first paragraph could have been written by me because that’s exactly how I feel about Reese’s and Snickers! :-) Thanks for posting!
Yes!! I LOVE that commercial! One of my favorites. ;) Love your blog too!! I don’t think I have ever commented but I have made several of your recipes and have always been pleased. Love your stories too!! :)
Oh my, they look so yummy. Lent needs to hurry up and be over so I can devour chocolate again.
I can’t resist these either. They are perfectly sinful!
Love this recipe, should make them asap!
Your homemade snickers seems to beat store bought for sure – delicious recipe filled with good ingredients :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Stuffed Peanut Butter M&Ms Peanut Butter Giant Cookie
I can’t wait to try these! Snickers are my boyfriends favorite and I know he’ll go crazy for these. Love your recipes and your site!
I’ve loved seeing this pop up on Pinterest for the last several weeks. Might be nice for Jessica if you just linked to her recipe, rather than put the recipe on your site too, no?
Hi Lori, I actually made a couple of changes to the recipe, which might seem insignificant but really made a huge difference for me. The first go I had at both the nougat and the caramel were bombs – the nougat ended up rock-hard and the caramel never set up. I altered the cooking temperature and time for both and got the result that worked for me, which I have reflected in the recipe I wrote above. Jessica’s recipe, as written, wouldn’t be an accurate representation of how I went about making it and the results that I had.
These look soooo good! I can’t wait to make them.