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    Home » Dessert Recipes » Candy Recipes

    Published: Sep 7, 2020 · Modified: Dec 16, 2021 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 33 Comments

    Copycat Payday Candy Bars

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    A vertical closeup of a stack of homemade payday candy bars on a blue plate with a title text overlay graphic

    If you're a fan of Payday candy bars then you'll go NUTS for this fast and easy Copycat Payday Candy Bars recipe. After all, who doesn't love payday?!!

    Homemade Copycat Payday Candy Bars on a blue plate.

    This easy-to-make candy recipe is one you'll turn to time again when you're looking for a copycat candy that tastes just like the original!

    You're going to love these peanut and homemade nougat-filled candy bars!

    **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. OR click on the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.

    For delicious nuts, candy, chocolate, dried fruits, baking supplies, and gifts, Oh! Nuts is a store not to be missed!!

    Table of Contents hide
    The ingredient list:
    Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
    In all honesty:
    How this recipe and video came to be:
    How long does take to make a copycat Payday candy bar?
    What if I'm allergic to peanuts, can I substitute another nut?
    The easy instructions:
    For additional homemade candy recipes, please click on the following titles for:
    Copycat Payday Candy Bars Recipe
    Ingredients 1x2x3x
    Instructions
    Video
    Notes
    Nutrition

    Subscribe to my Kudos Kitchen channel on YouTube. See you there!!

    Stack of homemade copycat payday candy bars on a blue plate.

    The ingredient list:

    **Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned

    • Dry Roasted Peanuts
    • Mini Marshmallows
    • Peanut Butter Chips
    • Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • Butter
    • Vanilla Extract 
    • Salt

    Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

    • large heavy-bottom saucepan or stockpot
    • wooden spoon or spatula
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • 13" x 9" baking dish
    • plastic wrap (for storing)

    Long title image of Copycat Payday Candy Bars

    In all honesty:

    I've had several readers write me saying that their candy didn't set properly.

    While I've never had this problem with the recipe, I have gone in and altered the amount of butter from 1 stick to 4 tablespoons after doing a bit of research on this. I hope this helps going forward.

    I want you, my readers, to be successful with the recipes you'll find here, and I appreciate the honest feedback and will work hard to bring you recipes you'll be proud to make and share.

    How this recipe and video came to be:

    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 so long since I first shared this recipe. Where does the time go?

    While a lot has changed in the past 7 years, this recipe has too.

    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!

    Overhead picture of a plate of copycat payday candy bars on a blue plate and wood board. - kudoskitchenbyrenee.com

    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? 😉
    Vertical collage images of copycat payday candy bars on a blue scalloped plate.

    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 4 T. butter over medium/low heat and stir in the peanut butter chips, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir to melt, and combine.
    • Continue cooking the mixture over medium/low heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
    How to make Copycat Payday Candy Bars Photo Tutorial - kudoskitchenbyrenee.com
    • 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.
    How to make Copycat Payday Candy Bars Photo Tutorial - kudoskitchenbyrenee.com
    • 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.
    How to make Copycat Payday Candy Bars Photo Tutorial - kudoskitchenbyrenee.com

    For additional homemade candy recipes, please click on the following titles for:

    • Homemade Candy Recipe Roundup
    • Double Chocolate Graham Cracker Toffee (pictured below)
    Double Chocolate Graham Cracker Toffee - kudoskitchenbyrenee.com
    • Mega-Sized Peanut Butter Cup with Coconut and Pecans (pictured below)
    Mega Sized Peanut Butter Cup - kudoskitchenbyrenee.com
    • Tropical White Chocolate Candy Bites (pictured below)
    Tropical White Chocolate Candy Bites - kudoskitchenbyrenee.com
    Vertical Title Text image of homemade payday candy bars on a blue plate.
     

    Below is the printable recipe card along with the nutritional information for today’s Copycat Payday Candy Bars. 

     

    If you've made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave it a star rating in the recipe card, along with a comment if you're so inclined. Thank you. 🙂

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

    Copycat Payday Candy Bars Recipe

    Renee Goerger
    These fast and easy Copycat Payday Candy Bars taste just like the original. You're going to love them!
    4.50 from 20 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Candy Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 servings
    Calories 101 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 large jars 16 ounces, each jar dry roasted peanuts
    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
    • 2 cups mini marshmallows
    • 1 bag peanut butter chips
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • pinch salt

    Instructions
     

    • Spray a 13" x 9" baking dish with baking spray.
    • Add one jar of the dry roasted peanuts in an even layer in the bottom of the sprayed dish. Set aside.
    • In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium/low heat.
    • Add the marshmallows, sweetened condensed milk, and peanut butter chips to the saucepan and stir well.
    • Continue cooking over medium/low heat (for approximately 5 minutes), stirring frequently.
    • Remove from the heat and add the salt and vanilla extract. Stir well.
    • 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.
    • Sprinkle the remaining dry roasted peanuts over the marshmallow mixture, pressing them lightly into the filling.
    • Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
    • Cut into bars, serve and enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

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

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1pieceCalories: 101kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 58mgSugar: 11g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    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 homemade candy recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

     
    Homemade Payday Candy bars on a blue oval plate.
     
     
     
     
     
     

    More Candy Recipes

    • Giant Peanut Butter Cup with Toasted Coconut and Pecans
    • Mexican Chocolate Truffles
    • Butter Toffee Cashew Crunch
    • Homemade Candy Recipe Roundup

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary says

      December 14, 2021 at 5:29 pm

      I made these today but when I removed them from the pan they are runny. Not sure where I went wrong.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        December 15, 2021 at 8:55 am

        Hi, Mary!
        Thank you for writing. While I've never had this problem, unfortunately, others have.
        Since I want everyone to be successful with my recipes I've gone in and changed the amount of butter called for.
        I've cut it pretty drastically in the hopes that this will alleviate the problem of the candy not setting properly.
        I'm truly sorry that this happened and I hope you can accept my sincere apologies.
        I've gone in and also added a few lines about how and why I changed the recipe as a full transparency disclosure as
        I only want to be completely honest with you, my readers.
        Thanks so much for your honest comment, and again, I appreciate you and hope you will come back again.
        Take good care,
        Renee

        Reply
      • RuthAnn says

        December 15, 2021 at 12:36 pm

        @Renée, did you hear back about the cornstarch or flour? I used less butter as you suggested but they are still sticky. Do you have any suggestions what to harden them with?

        Reply
        • Renée says

          December 15, 2021 at 2:23 pm

          That was fast, RuthAnn.
          I'm sad that didn't work.
          I looked at other Payday recipes on the web and haven't seen any of them call for cornstarch or flour.
          Here's what I'm going to suggest, at the stage of melting the butter, chips, sweetened milk, and marshmallows in a saucepan, rather than stopping right after they're melted and smooth, try cooking them for a few additional minutes (not on high heat as we don't want them to burn but on a low simmer), stirring frequently to bring the mixture to more of a "soft-ball" candy stage. I don't think you'll need to take it that far (the soft-ball stage is 235 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer), but just long enough to give the sugary mixture more structure for when it cools. To be totally honest, the times I've made this recipe I didn't time or take the temperature of the mixture, so perhaps just a few extra minutes on the stovetop is enough to bring the nougat to the proper consistency, and if that's the case...my bad, and I completely apologize for not having that written in the recipe.
          I hope this helps. If not, I'll try and come up with something else.
          Thank you for your patience and understanding. I understand your frustration.
          Renee

          Reply
    2. peggy says

      January 19, 2021 at 12:12 pm

      those candy bars were magnificent. i use to eat them all the time but home made are so much better. my husband said i don't like pay day candy bars i said you have to try one and he did he ate 4 of them said these are really good thank you for the great recipes.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 19, 2021 at 12:57 pm

        Awww, Peggy, thank you so much for the lovely comment. I really appreciate it!!
        Take good care, and thanks for being a follower of my blog!
        Renee

        Reply
    3. Claudia Lamascolo says

      September 07, 2020 at 2:42 pm

      I love these candy bars! I am so glad to find this and and printing it off right now my husband and son will go nuts over them thank Renee you're the best!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        September 07, 2020 at 2:53 pm

        I know you're going to enjoy them, Claudia.
        Take good care,
        Renee

        Reply
    4. Kathy Goulden says

      June 30, 2019 at 11:33 am

      The pure vanilla extract makes the difference

      Reply
      • Renée says

        June 30, 2019 at 12:34 pm

        You are a girl after my own heart, Kathy! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Uncommonsensesc says

      June 01, 2019 at 7:37 am

      4 stars
      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).

      Reply
      • Renée says

        June 02, 2019 at 9:01 am

        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

        Reply
      • Rosie says

        November 28, 2021 at 10:32 am

        @Uncommonsensesc, I had the same results, great taste but very sticky.

        Reply
        • Renée says

          November 29, 2021 at 8:09 am

          I'm sorry to hear. I'll update the recipe as best I can to fix this problem.
          Take care,
          Renee

          Reply
      • Lonna says

        December 16, 2021 at 3:16 am

        @Rosie, mine did the same. Totally stuck to the pan and just globbed together; couldn’t put in cookie tins as too sticky. Flavor was good but disappointed as that was my cookie contribution for our cookie trays.

        Reply
        • Renée says

          December 16, 2021 at 8:50 am

          I'm so very sorry. I'm trying hard to figure out what has happened as I've not had this problem.
          I've cut the amount of the butter in the recipe (I'm sorry if that was after you'd made them) and I also
          suggested this to one other reader. If you ever try to make them again, I hope you'll try this...
          At the stage of melting the butter, chips, sweetened milk, and marshmallows in a saucepan, rather than stopping right after they’re melted and smooth, try cooking them for a few additional minutes (not on high heat as we don’t want them to burn but on a low simmer), stirring frequently to bring the mixture to more of a “soft-ball” candy stage. I don’t think you’ll need to take it that far (the soft-ball stage is 235 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer), but just long enough to give the sugary mixture more structure for when it cools.
          To be totally honest, the times I’ve made this recipe I didn’t time or take the temperature of the mixture, so perhaps just a few extra minutes on the stovetop is enough to bring the nougat to the proper consistency, and if that’s the case…my bad, and I completely apologize for not having that written in the recipe.
          I hope this helps. If not, I’ll try and come up with something else.
          Thank you for your patience and understanding. I understand your frustration.
          Renee

          Reply
    6. Krystle says

      April 26, 2019 at 5:36 pm

      5 stars
      My mom loves Paydays, so I'm not surprised she loved this homemade version too. So easy to make too!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        April 27, 2019 at 8:29 am

        Your mom is a smart woman, Krystle! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Karly says

      April 26, 2019 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        April 27, 2019 at 8:30 am

        Now your husband can even make them for himself, right? They're SO easy. 😉

        Reply
    8. Mary says

      January 19, 2019 at 5:34 pm

      When do you add the sweetened condensed milk.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 19, 2019 at 9:58 pm

        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

        Reply
    9. Wilhelmina says

      January 09, 2019 at 10:03 am

      5 stars
      These bars look dangerously delicious! I am glad it makes a large batch, now I just hope I can make myself share!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 09, 2019 at 12:11 pm

        LOL! I know what you mean. Enjoy!

        Reply
      • Denise says

        October 06, 2019 at 8:31 pm

        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.

        Reply
        • Renée says

          October 07, 2019 at 6:24 am

          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

          Reply
    10. Aimee Shugarman says

      January 09, 2019 at 7:26 am

      5 stars
      These are my favorite candy bars!!!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 09, 2019 at 9:23 am

        Mine too!! Enjoy!

        Reply
    11. jual kacamata says

      September 07, 2014 at 1:47 pm

      thank's for this sharing, this is very nice!

      Reply
    12. Tia the Baker says

      December 29, 2011 at 2:54 pm

      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.

      Reply
    13. Barbara Bakes says

      December 26, 2011 at 2:03 pm

      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.

      Reply
    14. Paula says

      December 22, 2011 at 6:23 am

      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!

      Reply
    15. Culinary Collage says

      December 21, 2011 at 2:40 pm

      I'll have to try this recipe! I'm guessing it's even better than the original Payday bars......yum!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Renee! I've been a passionate home cook for over 40 years. I specialize in easy-to-make comfort food dishes from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

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