Copycat Payday Candy Bars

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

This what I originally wrote about these Copycat Payday Candy Bars back in 2011:

I got this recipe years ago from my dear friend Pam.  I recently found it while rummaging through my recipe file looking for something else.  I’m so glad I noticed this recipe peeking out at me because this one truly tastes like the original Payday candy bar.  If you’re a nut lover (like me), you’ll love this one, and it will become a family favorite.

And here is one of the original photos;

Back in 2011 if you would have told me I’d be producing my own food videos, and that I’d have my own Kudos Kitchen food video 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 this recipe take to make?

• 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;

• Double Chocolate Graham Cracker Toffee

• Mega-Sized Peanut Butter Cup with Coconut and Pecans

• Tropical White Chocolate Candy Bites

5 from 2 votes

Print

Fast and Easy Copycat Payday Candy Bars Recipe

Prep Time

15 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

These Fast & Easy Copycat Payday Candy Bars taste just like the original. You're going to love them!

Course: Candy, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: copycat Payday Candy Bars, homemade peanut candy

Servings: 24 -30 bars

Calories: 101 kcal

Renee - Kudos Kitchen: Renée

Ingredients

• 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

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Spray a 13" x 9" baking dish with baking spray.
2. Add one jar of the dry roasted peanuts in an even layer in the bottom of the sprayed dish. Set aside.
3. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

4. Add the marshmallows, sweetened condensed milk, and peanut butter chips to the saucepan and stir well.

5. Continue cooking over the medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is thoroughly blended and the marshmallows and peanut butter chips have melted.
6. Remove from the heat and add the salt and vanilla extract. Stir well.
7. 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.
8. Sprinkle the remaining dry roasted peanuts over the marshmallow mixture, pressing them lightly into the filling.
9. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
10. Cut into bars, serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

tools and equipment:

medium saucepan, spatula or wooden spoon, measuring spoons, measuring cups, 9" x 13" baking dish, baking spray

Nutrition Facts

Fast and Easy Copycat Payday Candy Bars Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 101 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 5g 8%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Cholesterol 15mg 5%

Sodium 58mg 2%

Potassium 61mg 2%

Total Carbohydrates 12g 4%

Sugars 11g

Protein 1g 2%

Vitamin A 3.2%

Vitamin C 0.5%

Calcium 4.8%

Iron 0.2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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!