If you’re a fan of Payday candy bars then you’ll go NUTS for this Fast & Easy Copycat Payday Candy Bars recipe. After all, who doesn’t love payday?!!
This recipe for Copycat Payday Candy Bars is a redo from the original post I shared back in 2011. It’s hard to believe it’s been 7 years since I first shared this recipe. Where does the time go?
While a lot has changed in the past 7 years, this recipe hasn’t. After all, why mess with perfection?
**Please Note – The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Copycat Payday Candy Bars is available near the end of this post.
The ingredient list;
- Dry Roasted Peanuts
- Mini Marshmallows
- Peanut Butter Chips
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Butter
- Vanilla Extract
- Salt
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Back in 2011 if you would have told me I’d be producing my own food videos, and that I’d have my own channel on YouTube, I would have literally laughed out loud.
Fast forward 7 years, and I’m doing just that, and having a whole lot of fun in the process!
How long does take to make a copycat Payday candy bar?
- From start to finish, it’s roughly 10-12 minutes.
- However, the candy will need to be refrigerated for up to 4 hours before slicing, so please plan accordingly.
What if I’m allergic to peanuts, can I substitute another nut?
- Sure, but then it wouldn’t be a copycat Payday candy bar, would it?
The easy instructions;
- Spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish liberally with baking spray.
- Layer one jar of the peanuts evenly in the bottom of the dish. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium/low heat and stir in the peanut butter chips, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir to melt, and combine.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the mini marshmallows, salt, and vanilla.
- Stir well to completely combine so there are no streaks of marshmallow.
- Slowly pour the marshmallow mixture in an even layer over the peanuts in the baking dish.
- Top the marshmallow mix evenly with the second jar of dry roasted peanuts.
- Refrigerate for 4 hours and then carefully slice the candy into bars before serving.
For additional homemade candy recipes, please click on the following titles for;
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- 2 large jars (16 ounces) Dry roasted peanuts
- 1 stick butter
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 bag peanut butter chips
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch salt
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Spray a 13" x 9" baking dish with baking spray.
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Add one jar of the dry roasted peanuts in an even layer in the bottom of the sprayed dish. Set aside.
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In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
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Add the marshmallows, sweetened condensed milk, and peanut butter chips to the saucepan and stir well.
-
Continue cooking over the medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is thoroughly blended and the marshmallows and peanut butter chips have melted.
-
Remove from the heat and add the salt and vanilla extract. Stir well.
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Gently pour the marshmallow mix evenly over the peanut layer in the prepared pan, using a spatula to even out the marshmallow mixture if needed.
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Sprinkle the remaining dry roasted peanuts over the marshmallow mixture, pressing them lightly into the filling.
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Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
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Cut into bars, serve and enjoy!
tools and equipment:
medium saucepan, spatula or wooden spoon, measuring spoons, measuring cups, 9" x 13" baking dish, baking spray
So there you have it! No more waiting for payday. Now you can have yours whenever you want it! Priceless. 😉
I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed today’s recipe for Copycat Payday Candy Bars as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding this recipe or anything else you’ve seen on my site, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly or leave me a comment in the comment section below. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back to you with a reply just as soon as I possibly can!
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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
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I'll have to try this recipe! I'm guessing it's even better than the original Payday bars……yum!
There's a reason you found this tucked away in your recipe box. It was meant to be shared with all your nut-loving readers. Looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing Renee!
I love it when I'm reminded of a great recipe I haven't made in a long time. Looks luscious. Wishing you a new year filled with all you favorite things.
omg i love these! is it ok if i include them in my jan 7, 2012 post for the "copycat club". see details on my blog! take care and happy new year.
thank's for this sharing, this is very nice!
These are my favorite candy bars!!!
Mine too!! Enjoy!
These bars look dangerously delicious! I am glad it makes a large batch, now I just hope I can make myself share!
LOL! I know what you mean. Enjoy!
Hello. These look delish! However, in the video they look a little too lose (more like they need to STAY in the fridge). Have you tried adding a little cornstarch or flour to water and then adding it in the mixture to thicken it? I’m wondering if it will make it firm or possibly change the texture.
Hello, Denise.
Thanks for your feedback.
This batch that I made for the video was a little softer than I would have liked. (That’s the fun of making live video. Not!)
I have not tried using cornstarch or flour to thicken. I would be nervous that adding either of those ingredients would give the final candy an off-taste.
That said, I would be more apt to keep them in the freezer and slice them shortly before serving than anything else.
It’s been a few years since I did this video so I don’t quite remember the circumstances, but odds are I tried to rush the process for the sake of the video.
In any case, the flavor of the candy is ultimately what matters, and these are delicious.
If you do try the cornstarch and/or flour, please let me know how that works for you.
Take care and have a lovely day!
Renee
When do you add the sweetened condensed milk.
Hi Mary!
The sweetened condensed milk gets added with the peanut butter chips. I had that part in the photo tutorial, but in error had missed that in the recipe card. I’ve since edited the recipe. Thanks for catching my mistake.
Take care,
Renee
My husband loved these! Payday bars are hard to find around here (I have no idea why), but they are my husband’s favorite, so being able to make them for him was amazing!
Now your husband can even make them for himself, right? They’re SO easy. 😉
My mom loves Paydays, so I’m not surprised she loved this homemade version too. So easy to make too!
Your mom is a smart woman, Krystle! 🙂
Great taste but horrible consistency – they never set up all the way, even with a day’s refrigeration. I think I should have checked the internet for a good temperature to reach for candy bar consistency (I usually do this but trusted the just heat, blend and add directions). I tried leaving them in the pan and cutting as needed but that was a pain so I cut them apart and placed them on waxed paper on a plate after leaving them in the ‘fridge but when I did that they just kind of melted into each other (yes, I did keep them refrigerated).
I’m sorry you didn’t have success with this recipe. Wonder what could have gone wrong?
As you can see from my photos, I didn’t have this problem. I’m confused.
Anyway, glad you enjoyed the taste. I’ll bet it would taste good as an ice cream topping. 😉
Renee
The pure vanilla extract makes the difference
You are a girl after my own heart, Kathy! 🙂