The first time I made these homemade Snickers bars for a holiday gathering, they disappeared faster than any store-bought candy I’d ever served. There’s something magical about biting into a fresh homemade The first time I made these homemade Snickers bars for a holiday gathering, they disappeared faster than any store-bought candy I’d ever served. There’s something magical about biting into a fresh homemade candy bar with that perfect balance of fluffy nougat, crunchy peanuts, sticky caramel, and rich chocolate that makes your taste buds dance. One friend even declared they were better than the original, which might be the highest candy-making compliment possible!

These copycat Snickers bars combine all the flavors and textures you love about the classic candy bar, but with the satisfaction of creating them yourself. Each bite delivers that familiar chocolate-caramel-peanut combination that’s nearly impossible to resist, making them perfect for special occasions, holiday gifts, or simply treating yourself to something deliciously indulgent.

homemade snickers candy bars and peanuts.

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Table of Contents

What Makes These Homemade Snickers Special

These DIY Snickers bars stand out from other homemade candy recipes for several compelling reasons:

Perfect Texture Combination: Each layer creates the authentic candy bar experience—fluffy nougat, crunchy peanuts, chewy caramel, and snappy chocolate
Customizable Components: Adjust sweetness, chocolate type, and nut quantity to your preference
Impressive Presentation: Professional-looking results that wow friends and family
Freezer-Friendly: Make ahead and enjoy whenever a candy craving strikes
No Special Equipment: Simple kitchen tools are all you need for bakery-quality results

What makes this recipe particularly wonderful is its forgiving nature. Unlike many candy recipes that require precise temperatures and techniques, these bars are straightforward and accessible for cooks of all skill levels.

Kitchen Tools You Might Need For Copycat Snickers Bars

Here are a few of the tools you may need for the recipe:

Equipment You’ll Need
8×8-inch baking pan
Parchment paper
Medium saucepan
Rubber spatula
Microwave-safe bowl
Sharp knife
Baking sheet
Candy dipping tools or forks
Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients You Will Need For Copycat Snickers Bars

For this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Milk Chocolate Melting Wafers – Create the smooth, creamy base for the nougat layer and provide classic milk chocolate flavor
Peanut Butter – Adds depth to the nougat layer and enhances the peanut flavor throughout
Evaporated Milk – Provides richness and helps create proper texture in both the nougat and caramel layers
Marshmallow Cream – Creates the signature fluffy, sweet nougat texture that’s essential to authentic Snickers
Lightly Salted Roasted Peanuts – Deliver crucial crunch and that perfect sweet-salty contrast
Soft Chew Caramels – Form the sticky-sweet middle layer that binds the candy together
Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers – Create the snappy outer shell with rich chocolate flavor
Vegetable Oil or Coconut Oil – Helps thin the chocolate coating for proper dipping and creates a glossy finish

homemade snickers candy bars ingredients.

How To Make Copycat Snickers Bars

Using parchment paper, prepare an 8 x 8-inch pan.
Combine half of the evaporated milk with the milk chocolate melting wafers and the peanut butter in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat. Mix until thick and fluffy using a rubber spatula.
Add the marshmallow cream and stir until smooth.
Pour the mixture into an 8×8 pan. The surface will level out.
Sprinkle peanuts over the top and set aside.

steps for making homemade snickers nougat and peanut layers.

Combine the caramel pieces and evaporated milk in a microwave-safe dish.
Microwave the caramel mixture in 30-second bursts at 50% power. Stir the mixture in between each 30-second burst until it’s smooth.
Distribute the caramel evenly over the peanuts.
Refrigerate the dish for 4 hours or overnight.

steps for making caramel layer for homemade snickers.

Pull up the parchment paper to remove the Snickers from the dish.
Cut the Snickers bars by making 5 cuts downward and 1 cut upward using a sharp knife. Place each Snickers bar on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet. Then, put them in the refrigerator to chill.
Heat the dark chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute on 50% power. Add the vegetable oil and stir the chocolate mixture.
Heat the chocolate in the microwave for 30-second bursts on 50% power. Stir the mixture in between until it is smooth.
Dip each Snickers bar into the melted chocolate using two forks or dipping tools. Shake off excess chocolate and place each bar on the baking sheet. Repeat the process.
Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill. When the chocolate is completely hardened, serve immediately.

steps for cutting and coating homemade snickers with chocolate.

Copycat Snickers Bars

These homemade Snickers bars feature all the elements you love about the classic candy – fluffy nougat, crunchy peanuts, chewy caramel, and rich chocolate coating. Made with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, these copycat candy bars are perfect for gifting, special occasions, or satisfying your own sweet tooth with a treat that many claim tastes even better than the original.

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Candy Recipes

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 15

Chilling: 4

Total Time: 4 45

Servings:

Calories: 406kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

2 cups milk chocolate melting wafers
½ cup peanut butter
3 tablespoons evaporated milk divided
7 ounces marshmallow fluff
1 cup lightly salted roasted peanuts
½ 10.8 ounce bag soft chew caramels
1½ cups dark chocolate melting wafers
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

Prepare an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper. See notes for directions & tips.
In a medium saucepan, combine milk chocolate melting wafers, peanut butters and half of the evaporated milk over low-medium heat. Using a rubber spatula, combine fully until thick and fluffy.
Reduce heat to low and fold in the mallow cream and stir constantly until fully combined.
Pour mixture into the bottom of the 8×8 pan. This will self-level well.
Top with peanuts and set aside.
In a microwave safe dish, combine caramels with the remaining evaporated milk.
Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute, stirring afterwards (it will be very hard to stir. Use another utensil to clear your stirring utensil from the caramel). Return to the microwave and continue to heat on 30-second, 50% power bursts, stirring in between until the caramel is smooth.
Pour caramel overtop of the peanuts, distributing evenly.
Place the dish inside the refrigerator and allow it to chill for 4 hours or overnight.
When done, remove the Snickers mixture from the dish by pulling up on the parchment paper.
Using a sharp knife, cut the Snickers bars by making one cut in the middle from top to bottom and another 5 cuts in the opposite direction.
Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper and place each Snickers bars on the sheet. Place the sheet inside the refrigerator to keep chilled while you prepare the melting chocolate.
In a medium microwave safe bowl, add the dark chocolate wafers and place inside the microwave to heat on 50% power for 1 minute. When done, add the vegetable oil and stir. Return to the microwave and heat in 30-second bursts on 50% power, stirring in between, until the chocolate is silky smooth.
Using two forks or dipping tools, dip each Snickers bar into the chocolate, coating it completely. Gently shake off any excess chocolate before placing the bar back on the baking sheet. Repeat this process for each bar.
Place the baking sheet back inside the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until the chocolate is completely hardened. When the chill time is complete, serve immediately.

Notes

The caramel won’t spread like the chocolate layer does, so when adding it, try to add it evenly over the peanuts. It will spread minorly from there.

Store these candy bars inside the refrigerator when not serving. This will prevent any melting or cracking of the chocolate.

Bar cutting tip: add vegetable oil to a paper towel and rub the paper towel over the blade of your knife before cutting the bars. This will help create even cleaner cuts and will prevent the caramel from sticking to the blade.

Do not use the full bag of caramels for this recipe. It will be too much caramel to not expand over the edge after cutting.

I have found Marshmallow Fluff works best when melted over the stove like in this recipe.

Nutrition

Top Tips for Copycat Snickers Bars

Here are just a few of my favorite tips and tricks for making copycat Snickers Bars even better!

Copycat Snickers Bars are the perfect treat to make and give as a special holiday gift. For an even more special surprise, wrap them up and put them in a tin or basket with hot chocolate or coffee.
Plan ahead. While this recipe is quick and easy, you still need time for the candy to chill to get the best results.
If your Copycat Snickers Bars get a little soft (particularly on a hot day), put them back in the fridge to chill. You might find that you like their extra gooeyness just as much as the chilled version.
You can add toffee to the recipe to give it a bit of a twist.
Try different chocolate options like white, dark, or milk chocolate chips to get other wonderful, delectable snacks you’ll love.
Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the nougat layer for a touch of richness.

homemade snickers bars and one cut in half.

Storage and Serving Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

Store bars in an airtight container with parchment between layers
Keeps fresh for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator
Allow to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving for the best texture

Freezer Storage

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or enjoy partially frozen for a different texture experience
Individually wrap bars in plastic wrap or wax paper
Place wrapped bars in airtight freezer containers or freezer bags
Label with date and contents
Freeze for up to 6 months

overhead view of homemade snickers candy bars.

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