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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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Recipe Rating




150 Comments

  1. Mary says:

    I was reading the comments before making and wondering if, instead of using PB chips, you used butterscotch chips. One person said the bars tasted too peanut buttery.
    also, since it takes sweetened condensed milk, how about trying the caramel SCM instead? I have a very judgmental family when it comes to recipes. I need these to be perfect the first try.
    One more thing… I noticed that some people said their bars never firmed up. another person suggested that you cook the nougat for at least 5 minutes. do you think a candy thermometer would help? Maybe the mix has to go to a soft ball temp to harden? IDK because I rarely make candy. I’m dying to make these.

  2. Rose says:

    1 star
    Too gooey . Very very greasy . Would never make it again. Like eating straight peanut butter. My receipt called for peanut butter not chips. No Carmel flavor to it. Very upset on how it turned out.

  3. Martha Smith says:

    Tried this recipe, taste great, very good, but, to eat them they were very tackie, what could one do to recipe so as not to be so messy.

  4. Shari says:

    I followed the recipe exactly and mine are gooey. What happened?

    1. Elizabeth C. says:

      Mine too 😔

  5. Karen Hargis says:

    5 stars
    It is delicious 😋😋😋
    And so easy to make. My whole family ask for it often❤️

  6. Ann says:

    This recipe is super easy and delicious! My only issue is the candy has not set up. It isn’t firm enough to cut and put on a plate. I read not to freeze but wondering if I should in order to share this dessert.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      I would say to try refrigerating it. That might help it set a bit more. Have you ready tried that?

  7. Cindy says:

    1 star
    I followed the recipe exactly. Mine did not setup. What can I do to save this candy, if anything? Thank you

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      I would suggest refrigerating them and see if that helps them set a bit. Sorry to hear it gave you trouble setting.

    2. Ebeth says:

      5 stars
      Made these for work. They were a hit! Never had a problem. I WILL be making these again.

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Yay! I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for giving the recipe a try!

  8. Judy says:

    The flavor was delicious but they were really gooey. Didn’t hold up as a bar. Wouldn’t be able to serve them. I followed the recipe exactly and put them in the fridge.

    What happened?

  9. Wanda says:

    1 star
    I made these exactly as directed and they didn’t set up at all. I got a 9×13 pan full of wasted ingredients… Bummer!!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      So sorry to hear the recipe didn’t turn out! Thanks for sharing your experience.

  10. Trish says:

    2 stars
    Very sticky. Can not pick up without it sticking to your fingers even after refrigeration.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try.