Name: Homemade Snickers Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 stick unsalted butter (melted); 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1/2 cup white granulated sugar; 1 egg (room temperature); 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 cans sweetened condensed milk; 1 cup brown sugar; 1 stick unsalted butter; 4 tablespoons dark corn syrup; 1 cup peanuts (roasted); 8 oz chocolate chips; 1 cup heavy whipping cream (hot); 1 tablespoon light corn syrup

Introduction

If you love the rich, chewy combination of caramel, peanuts, and chocolate, homemade Snickers bars are a perfect treat to make at home. This recipe offers a satisfying shortbread base topped with a luscious caramel peanut layer and finished with a smooth chocolate topping. It’s a fun and rewarding homemade candy bar you can share with family and friends.

The image shows a close-up view of a stack of bars with three visible layers. The bottom layer is a thick, light beige base with a crumbly, soft texture. The middle layer is a rich caramel color with visible pieces of nuts embedded inside, giving it a chunky texture. The top layer is a thin, dark brown chocolate layer with a slightly cracked and firm surface. The bars are stacked on a white marbled surface, with blurred nuts scattered around the base. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter (melted)

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 cup white granulated sugar

1 egg (room temperature)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cans sweetened condensed milk

1 cup brown sugar

1 stick unsalted butter

4 tablespoons dark corn syrup

1 cup peanuts (roasted)

8 oz chocolate chips

1 cup heavy whipping cream (hot)

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhangs on two sides to act as handles for easy removal later.

Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the sea salt and white granulated sugar until combined. Pour the hot, melted butter over the mixture and mix well. Whisk in the egg until smooth.

Step 3: Using a spatula, stir in the all-purpose flour just until incorporated. The dough will be thick and like play dough; if needed, use your hands to combine the last bits of flour.

Step 4: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Poke holes in the dough with a fork and bake for 15 minutes.

Step 5: While the shortbread bakes, prepare the caramel peanut layer. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, butter, and dark corn syrup. Stir constantly for 8–10 minutes until thickened, being careful not to boil.

Step 6: Remove the caramel from heat and stir in the roasted peanuts. Pour the mixture evenly over the baked shortbread layer, then return to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes, until the caramel looks set and deeply golden.

Step 7: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool to room temperature before adding the chocolate layer.

Step 8: Place the chocolate chips and light corn syrup in a medium bowl. Heat the heavy whipping cream until hot (but not boiling) and pour it over the chocolate. Let sit 1–2 minutes to melt, then stir until smooth and glossy. If needed, microwave the mixture in 15–20 second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted.

Step 9: Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the caramel layer. Refrigerate the bars for at least 2–3 hours until the chocolate is set and firm.

Step 10: Use the parchment paper handles to lift the bars from the pan. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into bars. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, toast the peanuts lightly before adding them to the caramel mixture.

You can swap the roasted peanuts with almonds or cashews for a different nutty twist.

Use a mix of milk and dark chocolate chips in the topping for a richer chocolate layer.

Press the shortbread dough firmly and evenly before baking to ensure a sturdy base.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but omit or reduce the added sea salt in the recipe to avoid making the bars too salty.

What is the best way to melt the chocolate topping?

Heating the cream first and then pouring it over the chocolate chips allows them to melt gently without burning. Stir until smooth and reheat briefly if needed.