I can’t tell you how many times I’ve whipped up this Homemade Snickers Bar Recipe when I wanted that perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy in a treat. It’s like having a candy bar straight out of the store, but better, because it’s homemade and packed with love—and peanuts! This recipe really shines when you’re craving something fun to snack on or want to impress guests with a candy that feels gourmet but is surprisingly easy to make.

What makes this Homemade Snickers Bar Recipe so worth trying is how the layers come together—the rich, gooey caramel, the fluffy peanut nougat, and the smooth chocolate coating all wrapped around salted roasted peanuts. Trust me, making it from scratch will have you appreciating each bite even more, and you’ll have so much fun putting it all together. Let me share all the tips I’ve picked up so you can nail it on your first try!

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work beautifully together to recreate that classic Snickers flavor at home. When shopping, aim for good-quality chocolate and fresh roasted peanuts, as they really amp up the final taste.

Sugar: Granulated sugar is key for both the caramel and nougat, giving that perfect sweetness and structure.
Heavy Cream: Adds richness and smoothness to the caramel layer.
Milk: Balances out the cream in the caramel, keeping it from getting too thick.
Salt: Just a pinch highlights the sweetness and enhances the salted peanuts perfectly.
Salted Roasted Peanuts: Classic Snickers wouldn’t be the same without these crunchy, salty bites.
Egg White (room temperature): Whipped into the nougat for that signature fluffy texture.
Corn Syrup: Essential in the nougat to keep it chewy and prevent crystallization.
Peanut Butter: Adds an extra layer of nutty flavor to the nougat, making it irresistibly tasty.
Vanilla Extract: Just a splash to round out the flavors.
Semi Sweet Chocolate: Melts into a glossy, smooth coating to tie all the layers together beautifully.

Variations

One of the best things about this Homemade Snickers Bar Recipe is how flexible it is. I love tweaking it to suit different tastes or dietary needs, and you should definitely feel free to do the same!

Nut-Free Version: I’ve swapped out peanuts for roasted sunflower seeds before, and it still turned out delicious and crunchy.
Dark Chocolate Swap: If you like a richer chocolate flavor, go for a darker chocolate coating. It pairs surprisingly well with the sweetness of the caramel and nougat.
Extra Chewy Caramel: Add a bit more cream for a softer, chewier caramel layer — perfect for those who love that gooey texture.
Mini Bars: Making smaller, bite-sized bars is a fun way to share with friends and family or pack for lunchboxes.
Salted Caramel Twist: Sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top of the final chocolate layer just before it hardens. It gives a beautiful salty-sweet contrast.

How to Make Homemade Snickers Bar Recipe

Step 1: Make the Caramel

Start by combining sugar, heavy cream, milk, and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring gently to dissolve the sugar, then stop stirring and let it caramelize until the mixture turns a lovely golden amber. This part takes patience—keep an eye on it to avoid burning. Once at the right color, stir in your salted roasted peanuts quickly, then spread the hot caramel-peanut mix onto a greased or parchment-lined pan to cool and set while you move on to the nougat.

Step 2: Whip Up the Peanut Nougat

While the caramel cools, whisk the egg white until it holds stiff peaks—that fluffy lightness is what makes the nougat so delightful. In a separate pot, heat sugar, corn syrup, and water until it hits soft-ball stage (240°F / 116°C), then slowly pour this hot syrup into the whipped egg whites while beating continuously. Fold in peanut butter and vanilla extract just before the mixture cools, and spread this nougat over the set caramel in your pan.

Step 3: Coat with Chocolate

Once your nougat layer is firm, melt the semi sweet chocolate gently over a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring often to avoid burning. Pour this chocolate over the nougat, spreading evenly. Let the bars chill in the fridge until the chocolate is fully set and firm to the touch—this usually takes about an hour.

How to Serve Homemade Snickers Bar Recipe

Homemade Snickers Bar Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with extra chopped salted peanuts sprinkled on top of the melted chocolate before it sets. It adds texture, looks gorgeous, and packs that peanut punch we all crave. Sometimes I drizzle a little warmed caramel on top for double the indulgence.

Side Dishes

Serve these bars alongside a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a cozy dessert. They also pair surprisingly well with a hot cup of coffee or creamy milk, making snack time feel like a special occasion.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like cutting the bars into bite-sized squares and arranging them on a platter with some fresh berries and nuts. Wrapping individual bars in parchment paper tied with twine also makes charming homemade gifts that everyone loves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge, layered with parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They keep well for up to a week and maintain their texture nicely if kept cool.

Freezing

Freezing homemade Snickers bars works great! Just wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and freeze. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight. This trick helps when you make a big batch and want to savor them slowly.

Reheating

Since these bars are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, reheating isn’t usually necessary. But if you want to soften the caramel slightly, a few seconds in the microwave (about 10 seconds) will do without melting the chocolate too much.

FAQs

Can I make the homemade Snickers bars without corn syrup?

Yes, you can substitute corn syrup with honey or golden syrup, but it might slightly change the texture of the nougat, making it a bit less chewy. Just be careful with the heat and stirring to avoid crystallization.
How do I know when the caramel is ready?

Look for a rich golden amber color and a deep caramel aroma. Using a candy thermometer helps a lot—aim for about 340°F (170°C). If you don’t have one, watch closely and be ready to remove it from heat quickly to prevent burning.
Can I use natural peanut butter instead of processed?

You can, but natural peanut butter tends to be oilier and less smooth, which might affect the texture of the nougat. If you do use natural, give it a good stir first and consider reducing any extra oil.
What’s the best way to cut the bars without cracking the chocolate?

Let the bars come to room temperature before cutting and use a sharp knife. Wiping the knife clean between cuts and using gentle, steady pressure helps keep the edges neat.
Can this recipe be made vegan?

This recipe isn’t easily adapted to vegan since it contains egg whites and dairy. However, you could experiment with aquafaba for the nougat and vegan cream alternatives, but expect some differences in texture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Snickers Bar Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—it’s that perfect blend of nostalgia and homemade goodness. Every time I make it, I’m reminded of how satisfying it is to craft something so delicious from scratch. I hope you give it a try and find that same joy, whether it’s a treat for yourself or a gift to share. Trust me, once you taste these homemade layers, reaching for the store-bought will feel like a thing of the past!

Homemade Snickers Bar Recipe

★★★★★ 4.8 from 94 reviews

Author: Touba
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Category: Candy
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

Create your own delicious homemade Snickers bars with layers of rich caramel, creamy peanut nougat, and a smooth semi-sweet chocolate coating. This recipe combines the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and nutty flavors for a satisfying treat that’s better than store-bought.

Ingredients

Scale

Caramel

2 cup Sugar
1 cup Heavy Cream
½ cup Milk
¼ tsp Salt
240 g Salted Roasted Peanuts

Peanut Nougat

1 Egg White, room temperature
1½ cup Sugar
1 cup Corn Syrup
½ cup Water
½ cup Peanut Butter
½ tsp Vanilla Extract

Chocolate Coating

500 g Semi Sweet Chocolate

Instructions

Prepare the caramel: In a heavy saucepan, combine 2 cups sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup milk, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Heat on medium, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reaches a smooth caramel. Remove from heat and stir in 240 g salted roasted peanuts. Pour the caramel and peanut mixture into a lined rectangular pan and set aside to cool and set.
Make the peanut nougat: Whisk 1 egg white at room temperature until soft peaks form. In a separate saucepan, combine 1½ cup sugar, 1 cup corn syrup, and ½ cup water. Heat the syrup mixture on medium-high until it reaches the hard ball stage (around 250°F/121°C). Slowly pour the hot syrup into the whipped egg white while continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens. Add ½ cup peanut butter and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, folding gently until smooth.
Assemble the nougat layer: Spread the peanut nougat evenly over the cooled caramel and peanut layer in the pan. Allow to cool and set completely at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Coat with chocolate: Melt 500 g semi-sweet chocolate using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring until smooth. Pour and spread the melted chocolate over the nougat and caramel layers evenly. Refrigerate the assembled bars until the chocolate is firm, about 1 hour.
Slice and serve: Once firm, remove the bars from the pan and slice into desired portions. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.