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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 Pay Days on a white plate
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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!

Layer of peanuts in a glass dish
marshmallows in a caramel mixture.
Creamy layer in a glass baking dish
Homemade Pay Days in a glass baking dish
cut homemade pay day bars on a white plate

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).

cut homemade pay day bars stacked on a white plate

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 doesn’t stick to the candy. Wrapping it in parchment paper and then other wrappings allow for the candy to not stick, but also look nice.

close up of homemade pay day bars stacked on a white plate

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 shouldn’t FREEZE caramel based candy bars because they become rock solid and don’t defrost very well. We also recommend not freezing these homemade candy bars

For more easy homemade treats, try:

4.67 from 93 votes

Homemade PayDay Candy Bar Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Delicious Homemade PayDay Candy Bars are both salty and sweet, taste just like the real thing, & are SO easy to make!
Servings: 16
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 13 minutes

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

Serving: 16g, Calories: 391kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 18mg, Sodium: 216mg, Potassium: 305mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 26g, Vitamin A: 132IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 98mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

 

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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4.67 from 93 votes (54 ratings without comment)

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150 Comments

  1. Pam says:

    These look soooo yummy, Lily!!! Will definitely try them soon!!! THANKS for sharing your recipe!!!

  2. Jeannette says:

    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!

  3. Caitlin says:

    I made these but they never seemed to set…. so it is a gooey mess to eat them. :/ did I do something wrong?!

    1. julie marshall says:

      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.

      1. Tresa Hargrove says:

        5 stars
        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 : )

      2. Sue says:

        I will try that next time. I stirred until all was melted.

    2. Kathy says:

      Same here .. think directions should hv stated how to long cook.. obviously stir until mixed is not long enough

      1. Lil' Luna says:

        It’s just until it is melted together. Hope that helps 🙂

    3. Sue says:

      Mine didn’t either, they taste awesome. I just thought maybe they would have been a little more hardened. And I refrigerated them for 4 hours.

    4. Sue says:

      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.

  4. LeAnn says:

    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.

    1. Beth says:

      How did they turn out?did u follow along? Or add the peanut butter chips? Let us know 😊

  5. Julie V. says:

    Wow, is that what is in a Pay Day? No wonder they are so tasty. Thanks for the recipe. It looks simple and delicious.

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Let me know if you try them out – they are seriously SOOO good!! 😀

  6. Dorothy+@+Crazy+for+Crust says:

    This is the best candy bar ever!!

  7. Amy@theidearoom says:

    These look amazing! Pinned!

    1. Marcie says:

      Is the 391 calories for the whole pan? It doesn’t say how it to be portioned.

      1. Beth says:

        Ooh Marcie you’re a doll 😍 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 ❤ hope this helped lol

  8. Dezi A says:

    Ooooo! Yum! I love PayDays! I had no idea you could make those. Can’t wait to try them.

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Same, Dezi!! But I’m warning you… these are addictive!! 😉

    2. Cherie Thomas says:

      Mine did not set. Can you tell me why? Will adding more marshmallows help

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        I wish I knew? Did you change anything on the recipe? Adding more might help.

  9. Ashton says:

    Loving this!!! I’m so intrigued by the recipe— I’ve never tried anything like it! Which means I’m probably going to have to give it a whirl… 🙂 Pinned!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Oh Ashton – it is so good and so easy! If you like Pay Days, you will totally love this!