Homemade Payday Candy Bar Recipe
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. They are an easy addition to Christmas dessert trays and a nice change from cookies and fudge. They also travel well, making them a great homemade candy for gifting.
I first created these bars because Payday candy bars aren’t sold in Canada, and they’ve always been a favorite treat when we travel in the USA. This homemade version has that same sweet and salty combination, with a chewy peanut butter center and plenty of crunchy peanuts. My family asks for them every Christmas.
What You’ll Love About This Christmas Candy Recipe
No-bake recipes are some of the easiest dessert treats to make, and these homemade Payday candy bars are no exception. There’s no baking, no boiling, and no thermometer required. Everything comes together in one pot, which means very little cleanup. And if you love peanut butter and salty peanuts, these bars are full of sweet peanut butter flavor and salty crunch.
Ingredients for Homemade Payday Candy Bars
- 4 cups salted peanuts, roasted or honey roasted for that classic Payday flavor
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 can (300 mL / 14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 300 g (10 oz) peanut butter chips
- 400 g (14 oz / about 9 cups) mini marshmallows
How to Make Homemade Payday Candy Bars
Step 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 the pan aside while you prepare the filling.
Tip: I like these bars nice and thick, so I use an 8×8 pan. For thinner bars, use a 9×13 pan instead.
Step 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 peanut butter chips. Continue stirring over low heat until the chips are completely melted, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 3: Add Marshmallows
Add the mini marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Keep the heat low to prevent scorching.
Step 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 it gently and evenly with a spatula.
Before the candy starts to cool, sprinkle the remaining peanuts evenly over the top and press them lightly into the mixture with a spatula.
Step 5: Chill and Cut
Refrigerate for at least two hours, or until firm. Once set, cut into squares with a thin-bladed knife. For cleaner cuts, warm the knife under hot water and wipe it dry between slices.
Store and Make Ahead
Store the Payday candy bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate the bars in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
The Payday bars can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
I hope you enjoy this homemade Payday candy bar recipe as much as we do. The combination of creamy peanut butter filling and salty peanuts makes these bars a nice change from the usual Christmas cookies and fudge. They are easy to make ahead, easy to share, and always a welcome addition to our holiday treat trays.
Love this homemade Payday candy bar recipe? Save it to your Christmas treats or no-bake dessert board on Pinterest so you can find it when you’re ready to make your holiday treats.
Homemade Payday Candy Bar Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups salted peanuts roasted or honey roasted
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter
- 400 g mini marshmallows 14 oz / about 9 cups
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 300 mL / 14 oz can
- 300 g peanut butter chips 10 oz
Instructions
- 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 the pan aside while you prepare the filling.
- 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 sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter chips. Continue stirring over low heat until the chips are completely melted, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- The mixture will become thick, almost like fudge. Add the mini marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Keep the heat low to prevent scorching.
- 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 it gently and evenly with a spatula.
- Before the candy starts to cool, sprinkle the remaining peanuts evenly over the top and press them lightly into the mixture with a spatula.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm. Once set, cut into squares with a thin bladed knife. For cleaner cuts, warm the knife under hot water and wipe it dry between slices.
Notes
- For thinner bars, use a 9×13-inch pan instead of an 8×8-inch pan.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
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!