This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Delicious Homemade PayDay Candy Bars are both salty and sweet, taste just like the real thing, & are SO easy to make!
If you love candy bars as much as I do you will LOVE these homemade payday candy bars. They are chewy and delish. For more homemade candy, try Homemade Reese’s, and Caramel Candy.
Homemade is better!
Contrary to popular opinion, PayDays are actually one of my favorite candy bars! I know it’s not a super common one compared to Snickers or Kit Kat, but I just love the combination of salty and sweet!
Although it’s quick and convenient to pick up a candy bar at the grocery checkout line, sometimes homemade versions of candy bars are just BETTER! There is something to making it from scratch without any of the “extra” ingredients in manufactured products.
Good news, this homemade version is honestly so simple, it’s totally worth the little bit of effort for that homemade taste!
Making Homemade Payday Bars
PEANUTS. Pour half your peanuts into a greased 11×7 pan and spread so they cover the bottom.
FILLING. In a small pan melt butter and chips until well combined. Add condensed milk and marshmallows and stir until all mixed. Pour over peanut mixture.
TOPPING. Top with remaining peanuts and let cool (refrigerate if desired).
recipe tips
- Microwave Melting Method: You can use a microwave safe bowl to warm the butter and peanut butter chips in 30 second intervals. Just take the bowl out every 30 seconds and stir it to make sure nothing is sticking and/or burning. After it is successfully melted mix in the sweetened condensed milk and marshmallows.
- Peanuts: Using roasted peanuts gives the payday candy bar more crunch and a little bit more flavor.
- Pan Size: If you only have a 9×13 pan your candy bars will just be a bit thinner and may need less time to cool and solidify.
Wrap them to share! Delivering homemade candies to others can be a little tricky. Just make sure that whatever you wrap it in doesnโt stick to the candy. Wrapping it in parchment paper and then other wrappings allow for the candy to not stick, but also look nice.
Storing info
STORE homemade paydays in an air-tight and sealed container in a cool and dry place. You can store them in the fridge, or if it is cool outside keeping them on the kitchen counter should be fine too. You can keep them for up to a week before the bars get hard and inedible.
Typically you shouldnโt FREEZE caramel based candy bars because they become rock solid and donโt defrost very well. We also recommend not freezing these homemade candy bars
For more easy homemade treats, try:
- White Chocolate Reese’s Fudge
- White Chocolate M&M Popcorn
- Reese’s Pieces Puppy Chow
- Pecan Pralines
- Chocolate Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
- Salted Peanut Chews
Homemade PayDay Candy Bar Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups salted peanuts
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 cups peanut butter chips
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Pour half your peanuts into a greased 11×7 pan and spread so they cover the bottom.
- In a small pan melt butter and chips until well combined. Add condensed milk and marshmallows and stir until all mixed.
- Pour over peanut mixture.
- Top with remaining peanuts and let cool (refrigerate if desired).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These look soooo yummy, Lily!!! Will definitely try them soon!!! THANKS for sharing your recipe!!!
Lily, Thank you for the recipe. I’m going to make them as soon as I get all the ingredients. Thank you for the pictures; you did a great job. I don’t think I’ve made candy bars before, so they were a big help!
I made these but they never seemed to set…. so it is a gooey mess to eat them. :/ did I do something wrong?!
I had the same issue. I know a lot of times with candy it needs to reach a certain heat point. Mine are very soft. They are tasty but soft. I was hoping to find the answer here.
I had the same problem, I added about 3/4 cup of powdered sugar (about 2 Tbs. at a time) and mixed until it looked like it would set up without being dry…. hope this helps : )
I will try that next time. I stirred until all was melted.
Same here .. think directions should hv stated how to long cook.. obviously stir until mixed is not long enough
It’s just until it is melted together. Hope that helps ๐
Mine didnโt either, they taste awesome. I just thought maybe they would have been a little more hardened. And I refrigerated them for 4 hours.
I ended up leaving them sitting on the island all night. In the morning, they were perfect. So they must need to set out awhile uncovered.
Do you think peanut butter would work in place of the chips? Or maybe it wouldnt set up? I got everything today, but thought it had said PB, so no chips.
How did they turn out?did u follow along? Or add the peanut butter chips? Let us know ๐
Wow, is that what is in a Pay Day? No wonder they are so tasty. Thanks for the recipe. It looks simple and delicious.
Let me know if you try them out – they are seriously SOOO good!! ๐
This is the best candy bar ever!!
These look amazing! Pinned!
Is the 391 calories for the whole pan? It doesn’t say how it to be portioned.
Ooh Marcie you’re a doll ๐ but dear lifes too short too count calories or portion sizes on a treat!! Go on and have it! Just dont over indulge that’s all. . and use your judgement on what size to cut them in โค hope this helped lol
Ooooo! Yum! I love PayDays! I had no idea you could make those. Can’t wait to try them.
Same, Dezi!! But I’m warning you… these are addictive!! ๐
Mine did not set. Can you tell me why? Will adding more marshmallows help
I wish I knew? Did you change anything on the recipe? Adding more might help.
Loving this!!! Iโm so intrigued by the recipeโ Iโve never tried anything like it! Which means Iโm probably going to have to give it a whirlโฆ ๐ Pinned!
Oh Ashton – it is so good and so easy! If you like Pay Days, you will totally love this!