Homemade Payday Candy Bars

This recipe for Homemade Payday Candy Bars is easy to make and tastes great! Similar to the traditional candy bar, but prepared from scratch, these bars are filled with salted peanuts and covered in a delicious caramel-like coating.

Components:

Regarding the Peanut Layer:

1. Two cups of salted peanuts (unsalted peanuts are also fine, but salted peanuts have that traditional Payday taste).
2. Two sticks of 1 cup unsalted butter
3. One cup of packed light brown sugar
4. Half a cup of corn syrup
5. One teaspoon of vanilla cream
6. 1/4 teaspoon of salt

Regarding the optional chocolate coating:

• Half a cup of semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
• One tablespoon of coconut oil (to facilitate the chocolate’s smooth melting)

Directions:

1. Get the peanut layer ready:

• Get your pan ready: Use aluminum foil or parchment paper to line an 8 x 8-inch square baking sheet, providing an overhang for convenient removal.
• Prepare the caramel mixture by: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the salt, corn syrup, and brown sugar when it has melted. Bring to a simmer after stirring everything together. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and starts to boil gently, about 4–5 minutes.
• Add the vanilla: After adding the vanilla extract, heat for a further one to two minutes, or until the caramel mixture is smooth and everything is thoroughly blended.
• Add the peanuts: After taking the pot off of the burner, quickly mix the caramel mixture with the salted peanuts. Stir until the caramel has covered every peanut.

2. Put the Bars Together:

• Move to the pan: Using a spatula, uniformly distribute the peanut-caramel mixture after pouring it onto the prepared pan. To compact the mixture, gently press it down.
• Let chill: Put the peanut layer in the refrigerator for quicker cooling, or let it cool and solidify at room temperature for around half an hour.

3. (Optional) Apply Chocolate Coat:

• Melt the chocolate: Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small bowl that is safe to use in the microwave. Stir the mixture every 20 to 30 seconds until the chocolate is smooth and completely melted.
• Coat the bars: Cover the peanut mixture with melted chocolate after the peanut layer has cooled and solidified. Spread the chocolate evenly across the surface using a spatula.
• Calm down: Put the pan back in the fridge and leave it there for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chocolate has solidified.

4. Cut into slices and serve:

• When the chocolate is firm, use the overhanging parchment paper to remove the candy from the pan and set it on a cutting board.
• Cut the candy into the appropriate size bars or squares.

Advice:

• Not even a chocolate coating? You can omit the chocolate covering and just eat the candy with the caramel peanut layer if you’d like.
• Storage: To extend the shelf life of these homemade Payday bars, store them in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to a week in an airtight container.
• Variations: For a new taste twist, try using various nuts, such as cashews or almonds.

Savor your homemade payday candy bars, a salty and sweet treat that will definitely quench your appetite!