This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.
With two layers of chocolate, creamy nougat, peanuts, and plenty of caramel, these Homemade Snickers Bars taste just like the real candy bar. Learn how to make homemade candy (quite possibly even better than store bought!) in just 40 minutes.
Every December, my sister-in-law Erin has a Baking Day. Yes, it’s so iconic, I now capitalize it like an official holiday! She takes a day off work to bake cookies and create platter upon platter of homemade candies for Christmas. Cookies, candies, brownies, bars; you name it, and she does it all by herself.
Wistfully envious and 2,500 miles away, I recently perfected Homemade Snickers Bars so I can embark on my on Baking Day any time of the year. (Don’t mind me as I add OREO Cookie Balls, Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake, and Cheesecake Bars to the line-up, too.)
Don’t be intimidated by the multiple layers. This homemade candy bar recipe only takes 40 minutes and the rich chocolate-caramel, nut-spiked results are well worth the time and effort.
Two layers of semi-sweet chocolate (which I prefer over the milk chocolate in “real” Snickers bars) sandwiches marshmallowy nougat, crunch peanuts, and luscious caramel. Store-bought marshmallow fluff and a bag of caramels make this chocolate dessert recipe surprisingly simple.
Beyond that, you just have to melt chocolate and peanut butter together. In the microwave. Just like Erin, you’ve got this!
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Creamy peanut butter: Since it’s mixed with chocolate chips for the first and fourth layers, I give you full permission to start with a jar of peanut butter from the store. JIF, Skippy, Peter Pan; any brand will do. If you’re feeling ambitious, whip up a batch of Homemade Peanut Butter. (See below for allergen-friendly alternatives.)
- Caramels: Look for baking caramels by the bag in the candy or baking aisle. Unwrap each one to melt down with heavy cream for the third layer of these Homemade Snickers Bars. If you want to make caramel sauce from scratch, have at it!
Step-by-step instructions
To make layer 1 (chocolate):
- Line the bottom of an 11-inch by 7-inch baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons peanut butter. Microwave for 60 seconds at full power and stir to combine. Microwave a few more seconds if needed, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Pour chocolate mixture into prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Freeze until the chocolate is hard, about 2 to 3 minutes.
To make layer 2 (nougat):
- In a medium sized bowl, combine marshmallow fluff, ¼ cup peanut butter, and 1 ½ cups powdered sugar. Using a wooden spoon or strong spatula, stir until a soft nougat dough ball forms.
- Remove nougat dough from the bowl and press on top of hardened chocolate layer.
- Sprinkle 1 cup peanuts on top of nougat and gently press them down.
To make layer 3 (caramel):
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 11 ounces caramels and ¼ cup heavy cream. Stir constantly until caramels have melted and cream is incorporated.
- Pour immediately over the peanut layer, using the back of a spoon to spread evenly.
- Refrigerate until caramel has set, about 5 minutes.
To make layer 4 (chocolate):
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons peanut butter. Microwave for 60 seconds at full power and stir to combine. Microwave a few more seconds if needed, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Pour chocolate mixture over caramel layer and spread evenly. Refrigerate until chocolate layer has hardened, about 10 minutes.
- Using a sharp knife, cut into 12 bars and serve.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This Homemade Snickers Bar recipe makes 12 servings.
- Storage: Store these bars covered in the refrigerator (or, if you live in a cold climate, on your patio or in the garage during the chilly winter months).
Recipe FAQs
If you’re not allergic to tree nuts, too, consider making these with almond butter, cashew butter, or walnut butter. For a nut-free solution, try sunflower seed butter. Instead of dry-roasted nuts, trade in chopped toasted walnuts or even broken pretzel pieces. While the latter peanut substitute will taste a lot different from a classic Snickers bar, it’s still delicious. Think of it as similar to a Take 5 bar!
You bet. Assemble Homemade Snickers Bars in a 9- by 13-inch pan. The 11- by 7-incher is about two-thirds of the size, so opting for a 9- by 13-inch pan instead will result in larger, thinner bars (that are still 100% tasty).
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
People go wild for these No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars! They only take 5 ingredients and 10 minutes (plus chilling time) to make, and they take just seconds to disappear. This is my grandma’s recipe which…
View Recipe
More DIY candy recipes
Candy Recipes
Rolo Pretzel Candies
Candy Recipes
Pecan Pralines
Candy Recipes
No Bake Peanut Butter Balls
Candy Recipes
OREO Cookie Balls
Join Us
Homemade Snickers Bars
Ingredients
For layer 1 (chocolate):
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (see note 1)
For layer 2 (nougat):
- 7 ounces marshmallow fluff
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup dry roasted unsalted peanuts
For layer 3 (caramel):
- 11 ounces caramels unwrapped (see note 2)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
For layer 4 (chocolate):
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
Instructions
To make layer 1:
- Line the bottom of an 11-inch by 7-inch baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 cup chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons peanut butter. Microwave for 60 seconds at full power and stir to combine. Microwave a few more seconds if needed, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Pour chocolate mixture into prepared pan and spread evenly. Freeze until the chocolate is hard, about 2 to 3 minutes.
To make layer 2:
- In a medium sized bowl, combine marshmallow fluff, ¼ cup peanut butter, and 1 ½ cups powdered sugar. Using a wooden spoon or strong spatula, stir until a soft nougat dough ball forms.
- Remove nougat dough from the bowl and press on top of hardened chocolate layer. Sprinkle 1 cup peanuts on top of nougat and gently press them down.
To make layer 3:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 11 ounces caramels and ¼ cup heavy cream. Stir constantly until caramels have melted and cream is incorporated.
- Pour immediately over the peanut layer, using the back of a spoon to spread evenly. Refrigerate until caramel has set, about 5 minutes.
To make layer 4:
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons peanut butter. Microwave for 60 seconds at full power and stir to combine. Microwave a few more seconds if needed, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Pour chocolate mixture over caramel layer and spread evenly. Refrigerate until chocolate layer has hardened, about 10 minutes. Using a sharp knife, cut into 12 bars and serve.
Notes
- Peanut butter: Since it’s mixed with chocolate chips for the first and fourth layers, I give you full permission to start with a jar of peanut butter from the store. JIF, Skippy, Peter Pan; any brand will do. If you’re feeling ambitious, whip up a batch of Homemade Peanut Butter. (See below for allergen-friendly alternatives.
- Caramels: Look for baking caramels by the bag in the candy or baking aisle. Unwrap each one to melt down with heavy cream for the third layer of these Homemade Snickers Bars. If you want to make caramel sauce from scratch, have at it!
- Yield: This Homemade Snickers Bar recipe makes 12 servings.
- Storage: Store these bars covered in the refrigerator (or, if you live in a cold climate, on your patio or in the garage during the chilly winter months).
Nutrition
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Hope you like it Dianne! – Meggan
AMAZING!
Hi, Meggan. Snickers are by far my absolute fave!!! And, yours look super yummy and easy to make too! Being a long time baker, I don’t think it’s ever too early to start your holiday baking, so keep sharing your delicious bakes with us!
Have a sweet day, Heather
Gorgeous photos. My nephews so love the commercial bars but I am trying to make homemade alternates (read less processed) that taste just as good. I am bookmarking this for a weekend treat.
You are so nice, thank you! I think these are so good, better than “real” Snicker bars by a mile. Obviously more work than just opening a candy bar wrapper, but worth it! Have a great weekend. :)