Homemade Payday Candy Bars Christmas Candy
An Easy No Boil Christmas Candy Recipe
These easy homemade Payday candy bars are sweet and creamy on the inside and salty and crunchy on the outside. The best part? No boiling and no thermometer required, just melt, stir, pour, and chill. These bars are a wonderful sweet treat for Christmas gatherings and add variety to any holiday dessert tray. They also travel and pack beautifully, making them a perfect option for gifting.
I first created these bars because Canada doesn’t sell Payday candy bars, and they’ve always been a favorite when traveling in the USA. This homemade version is just as good — peanut buttery, chewy, and loaded with salty peanuts. It’s a treat my family asks for every holiday season.
What you’ll love about this recipe for Christmas:
No-bake recipes are always the easiest dessert treats to make, and these homemade Payday candy bars are no exception. There’s no baking, no boiling, and no fiddling with a thermometer. Everything comes together in just one pot, did you hear that, one pot to wash up and that’s it! And if you love peanut butter like I do, these bars are pure deliciousness.
Homemade Payday Candy Bars Recipe
Ingredients for Homemade Payday Bars
- 4 cups salted peanuts, roasted or honey roasted (for that signature Payday flavor)
- 1/2 cup regular smooth peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 can (300ml /14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, sweetened
- 1 package (300 g or 10 oz) peanut butter chips
- 1 package mini marshmallows
Instructions
1 – Prepare the Pan
Butter and line an 8×8-inch square pan with parchment paper. Evenly spread 1 cup of peanuts over the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
Tip: I like mine thick in an 8×8 pan. For thinner bars, use a 9×13 pan instead.
2 – Make the Peanut Butter Mixture
In a large saucepan over low heat, melt 1/4 cup butter. Add the peanut butter and stir until smooth, about 1 minute.
Stir in the condensed milk and the peanut butter chips. Continue stirring over low until the chips melt, about 2-3 minutes.
3 – Add Marshmallows
Fold in the mini marshmallows. Stir until melted, about 2–3 minutes. Keep the heat low to prevent scorching.
4 – Assemble the Bars
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 2 cups of peanuts until evenly combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan over the bottom peanut layer. Spread gently with a spatula.
Quickly, before the candy starts to cool, sprinkle the remaining peanuts on top and press them lightly into the mixture with a spatula.
Chill and Cut
Refrigerate for at least two hours, or until firm. Once set, cut into squares with a thin-bladed knife. Warm the knife under hot water and wipe dry between cuts to clean slices.
Store and Make Ahead
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
The payday bars can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
It makes about 24 squares.
Homemade Payday Candy Bar Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups peanuts
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 16 oz package mini marshmallows 400 grams
- 1 can condensed milk
- 1 10 oz package Peanut Butter chips 300 grams
Instructions
- Butter and line an 8 inch square pan with parchment paper. Evenly spread 1 cup of peanuts over the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
- In a large sauce pan over low heat melt 1/4 cup butter, add the peanut butter and blend constantly until blended about 1 minute.
- Add the condensed milk and the peanut butter chips. Stir over low until the chips melt about 2 minutes.
- The mixture will be like a thick fudge, add and then fold in the marshmallows,stir until melted.
- Add 2 cups of peanuts stir. Remove from head and pour into the pan.
- Place the rest of the peanuts over the top of the peanut butter mixture. Press the peanuts down into the peanut mixture.
- Place in the fridge to cool for at least two hours. Once cool cut into small squares with a buttered knife.
- Store the peanut butter squares in an air tight container. The squares can be frozen up to 3 months.
Other Christmas Recipes to Try
With all the really sweet treats available during the Christmas holidays, this recipe for gingerbread is a nice semi-sweet treat.
Traditional Gingerbread
I don’t think there is a more traditional Christmas recipe than gingerbread. This gingerbread recipe can be served on its own or with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. For the holidays, I sometimes include a light caramel sauce as well. The recipe is included in the post.
Whipped Shortbread Recipe
This Christmas cookie recipe for whipped shortbread has been in our family for as long as I can remember. It’s soft and buttery with lots of buttery flavor. You can add various fillings to it, or leave it to melt in your mouth just as it is. An easy drop cookie version of shortbread.
Coconut Balls Candy
These coconut balls are another easy to make Christmas candy recipe. These coconut balls are sweet with lots of coconut and a crunchy almond center.
This sounds so divine Leanna! Can’t wait to make a batch and try it!