Payday Candy Bars have been one of my favorite treats since I was a child. My Easy to Make Payday Peanut Squares reminded me of them, so that’s what I named them! You can finally say you’ve found a Payday Candy Bar Recipe to make at home. These No-Bake Copycat Payday Candy Bar squares are easy to make with honey roasted peanuts, sweetened condensed milk, and more. They also remind me a little of my homemade peanut butter fudge, a wonderful tradition started by my dad.
Payday Peanut Squares Recipe
This payday peanut squares recipe is a great holiday treat and is all made on the stovetop. These would make great neighbor gifts. Just put them in a paper candy box with one of my printable Christmas tags and you’re set! Creamy smooth with a crunch is delicious any time of year though.
- Candy Boxes – Here is my affiliate link for a variety that has great prices when you buy more than 10 at a time.
- Free Printable Holiday Gift Tags
I have used honey-roasted peanuts before, but this time I chose just roasted or blistered peanuts because they were right in front of me and I couldn’t find the honey roasted. That’s how I roll sometimes. 
How to Make Copy Cat Payday Peanut Squares
Gather everything you’ll need for making your own payday candy bars.
Ingredients:
- Honey roasted peanuts or regular.
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Peanut Butter
- Peanut Butter chips
- Mini Marshmallows
- Butter
Supplies:
- Medium saucepan for melting
- 13 x 9 in baking pan
- Parchment Paper
- Rubber spatula
I’ve made this both ways, with honey-roasted peanuts and regular or blistered peanuts. I tend to like using blistered better to bring out the sweet-salty flavor combo. Although I’ve never tried it, you can also make this with other nuts if you’d like.
When melting some of the ingredients, make sure it’s melted and heated completely through. If you don’t cook it long enough, it could result in the recipe not setting properly.
This candy recipe can be cut right from the baking pan or inverted and flipped, then cut into squares. It’s completely up to you.
Payday Candy Bar Recipe
These No-Bake Copycat Payday Candy Bar squares are easy to make with honey roasted peanuts, sweetened condensed milk, and more.
Ingredients
- 4 cups roasted or honey roasted peanuts
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14oz)
- 1 package mini marshmallows (10-12oz )
- 1 package peanut butter chips (10oz)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup butter
Instructions
- Line a 13 x 9 inch baking dish foil.
- Coat foil with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle 2 cups of the peanuts on the bottom of the pan.
- In a medium to large saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk, marshmallows, peanut butter chips, butter and peanut butter.
- Cook over medium heat until melted and smooth. Stir often to avoid scorching the bottom of the pan. It may help with setting if you heat to 235°F with a candy thermometer for proper setting.
- Pour into your prepared dish over the peanuts.
- Spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining peanuts over the smooth mixture and press down. I used parchment paper between my hands and the peanuts.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- Lift foil out of the pan. Sometimes I flip it over onto parchment paper, then remove the foil.
- Cut into squares.
- Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Some readers have reported the recipe not hardening up as much as it should. I've never had this issue, but they may have needed to heat longer before pouring. Heat to 235°F using a candy thermometer.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 212Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 128mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 7g
We do our best to calculate, however, nutrition information may not be accurate.
Can You Freeze Peanut Butter Squares?
Cut into the squares and freeze in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Thaw completely before eating.
Believe it or not, I’ll choose a peanut butter treat over chocolate any day! I’m going to try these no-bake peanut butter bars next!
How to Store Copycat Peanut Butter Squares?
If you’re just storing for personal use, you can just place aluminum foil or plastic wrap over the pan. You can also wrap each square in wax paper, which makes it easy for gift giving.
Recipe Substitutions for Payday Peanut Squares
You’ve definitely got some wiggle room with some of the ingredients of this payday candy bar recipe.
Peanut Butter Chips – These are found next to the chocolate chips in the market, but if you can’t find them, try using butterscotch. I’ve never used chocolate chips, but I bet they’d be delicious.
Peanuts – I like using salted, dry roasted or honey roasted. They’re all great.
Marshmallows – You can use marshmallow cream or large marshmallows as long as the amounts work out to be the same.
Recipes Using Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter is a family favorite. I using it in a variety of recipes.
Peanut Butter Butterscotch Bread
This quick bread recipe using peanut butter and butterscotch chips is great toasted or just smeared with butter.
Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
Creamy and rich peanut butter fudge made without sweetened condensed milk.
Peanut Butter Brownies with Fudge Frosting
These easy blondies feature chewy peanut butter chocolate chip blondies topped with a classic chocolate fudge frosting. These blondies pair the indulgent combination of peanut butter and chocolate and are an easy, homemade recipe.
Peanut Butter Cookies
Crispy on the edges, chewy in the middle make these peanut butter cookies the perfect recipe.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Layered Dessert
This layered cake combination of chocolate and peanut butter is a classic.
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate with Peanut Butter Whipped Cream
Whip up a batch of peanut butter whipped cream for your next cup of hot cocoa.
Peanut Butter Brownie Recipe (Cake Mix Brownies)
Using cake mix as your base for the most perfect peanut butter brownies.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
This recipe for No-Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars will be your favorite to make when you need something quick and tasty!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Sheet Cake
This recipe combines two favorite flavors for the most delicious cake ever!
Payday Candy Bar Recipe
These No-Bake Copycat Payday Candy Bar squares are easy to make with honey roasted peanuts, sweetened condensed milk, and more.
Ingredients
- 4 cups roasted or honey roasted peanuts
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14oz)
- 1 package mini marshmallows (10-12oz )
- 1 package peanut butter chips (10oz)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup butter
Instructions
- Line a 13 x 9 inch baking dish foil.
- Coat foil with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle 2 cups of the peanuts on the bottom of the pan.
- In a medium to large saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk, marshmallows, peanut butter chips, butter and peanut butter.
- Cook over medium heat until melted and smooth. Stir often to avoid scorching the bottom of the pan. It may help with setting if you heat to 235°F with a candy thermometer for proper setting.
- Pour into your prepared dish over the peanuts.
- Spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining peanuts over the smooth mixture and press down. I used parchment paper between my hands and the peanuts.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- Lift foil out of the pan. Sometimes I flip it over onto parchment paper, then remove the foil.
- Cut into squares.
- Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Some readers have reported the recipe not hardening up as much as it should. I've never had this issue, but they may have needed to heat longer before pouring. Heat to 235°F using a candy thermometer.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 212Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 128mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 7g
We do our best to calculate, however, nutrition information may not be accurate.
Gail says
Approximately how long to you and cook the filling for since so many people have trouble getting it to set up. Their on my cookie list for Christmas, but I’d like them to set up
Kim says
I have no idea why it didn’t set for others and I’m wondering if humidity has a play? It’s not humid where I live. Also, heating to a temp of 235°F with a candy thermometer may help.
christee fontanez says
Tastes delicious..loved licking the spoons…however, mine did not set either and I wonder if it is the kind of peanut butter…I use an organic/natural peanut butter and it tends to be very loose/oily compared to Jiff or Skippy. Just a thought. So, while mine did not make cute, little bars…a spoon and a bowl work just fine for me. Yum
Kim says
Thanks for the feedback. I have made them many times with no issues. I’m going to have to go back to the drawing board and try to find the issue that seems to be affecting some. I’m glad you were able to find a solution.
Carol Winsell says
When mine didn’t set up I formed into balls and rolled in powdered sugar. They tasted great.
Kim says
Great idea! I’m not sure why it doesn’t set up for some. It works for me every time. I’m in the PNW, so maybe different climates make a difference.
M. says
Can these be frozen?
Kim says
I have never tried freezing them. I know most candies you can, but I’m not sure about the texture on these.
Peggy says
These did not set up even after hours in the fridge. The flavor is good but they are a sticky mess. Disappointing 😔
Kim says
Peggy! I’m so sorry. Looks like Jeanette had the same problem. Whenever it hasn’t set up for me is when I’ve added to many marshmallows.
Jeanette says
I just made these for the first time. Didn’t harden up for me. But that probably because I had to convert measurements to metric. I am from the US and now living in Canada. I’m thinking of rolling little balls of it and dipping into chocolate. One way or another I’m going to eat them! No Paydays up here. 🙁
Kim says
On no!! I know when I’ve made these and added too many marshmallows, it was softer. But you’re right… they still tasted fantastic! I think your solution is a good one!