What’s the best thing about homemade candy bars?
Well, they’re just as dreamy and sweet as anything store-bought, but you get to modify them to the max!
How to Make Homemade Candy Bars
If you’re on the hunt for something fun and tasty to do with the kids, why not try making your very own homemade candy bars?
They’re a great way to get everyone involved and are sure to impress.
Better yet, you can tweak these recipes however you like. So feel free to add some fun extras!
And psst: you don’t have to have kids to make these 😉 Enjoy!
1. Homemade Snickers Bars
Caramel, nougat, nuts, and chocolate…these homemade Snickers bars have all that more!
They’re sweet and creamy, with a delightful bit of crunch for contrast.
You’ll need fewer than ten ingredients to make them.
And it only takes 20 minutes from start to finish.
Just remember: these taste best cold. When they start to warm up, they lose some of their texture.
So don’t be afraid to stick them in the fridge between servings.
2. Homemade Twix Bars
There’s nothing like the genuinely satisfying crunch of a Twix bar.
The layers of chocolate and caramel are delicious, of course. However, it’s the crunchy cookie layer that really makes a Twix a Twix.
For this homemade version, you’ll use buttery shortbread. Together with the other two layers, it’s perfect.
In fact, you’re essentially making Millionaire’s Shortbread – only the base needs to be crisp, not crumbly.
So while these may not look like real Twix bars, the taste is spot on.
3. Copycat Three Musketeers Candy Bars
Making a homemade Three Musketeers bar might be the easiest thing you’ll ever do.
I’m serious. It’s easier than frying eggs, making pancakes, or boiling noodles.
You’ll need just two ingredients: chocolate and marshmallow creme. That’s it. You won’t even need any specialized equipment.
You’re pretty much set as long as you have a microwave, loaf pan, and freezer.
Each bar features a layer of hardened chocolate around a soft, fluffy center. And they taste just like the real thing.
You may not be able to replicate the wrapper, of course. If it weren’t for that, no one would know the difference.
4. Homemade Milky Ways
These no-bake Milky Way bars are almost as easy to make as the Three Musketeers.
Only, you’ll need five ingredients and about 30 minutes – not counting the four-hour chill time.
In many ways, they’re a lot like the Three Musketeers. The biggest difference is that these have a delectable caramel layer in the middle.
Give them a try the next time you need a sweet treat for a party. Everyone who tries them will absolutely love them.
5. Homemade Almond Joys
One of the best things about homemade candy bars is that you control the recipe.
So it’s easy to make them healthier and use natural ingredients – unlike the preservative-stuffed store-bought kind.
Homemade Almond Joy bars are the perfect example of this. You can whip these up with just five ingredients; no preservatives needed.
You’ll need chocolate chips, shredded coconut, coconut milk, and maple syrup. And of course, you can’t forget the almonds!
Otherwise, you’ll have homemade Mounds bars instead.
It literally takes about three minutes to prepare these for the freezer. You just can’t beat that kind of simplicity.
6. 3-Ingredient Mounds Bars
Speaking of homemade Mounds bars: these are even easier to make and call for just three ingredients.
Simply mix shredded coconut and sweetened condensed milk, then portion and shape it into logs (or whatever shape you like).
Finally, dip them into your favorite melted chocolate.
They’re a rich, chocolatey, coconutty treat, and unlike the Almond Joys, these are entirely nut-free.
7. Homemade Butterfingers
Of all the recipes on this list, these are the least like their store-bought counterparts.
They don’t have the same unique texture as Butterfingers. Also, their taste is a bit different.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make them because these are incredible!
The ingredients list for these may surprise you.
You’ll need chocolate and peanut butter, of course. However, a third ingredient you probably weren’t expecting is candy corn.
I know! It sounds crazy, right?
Don’t skip that ingredient, though. The candy corn makes all the difference for these. Without it, they wouldn’t taste nearly as good.
8. Homemade Kit Kat Bars
I’ll be the first to admit that these look nothing like Kit Kat bars. But luckily, looks can be deceiving.
They taste remarkably like the real thing and even have a similar texture.
They’re crispy, crunchy, and full of chocolate and peanut butter yumminess. Best of all, you can have them ready in less than 30 minutes.
These are ideal if you want a quick and easy dessert the whole family will love.
Making each layer is a lot of fun, too. This one is certainly one you’ll want to let the kids help out with.
9. Homemade Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
I’ve tried many homemade Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups recipes over the years. They’ve all been good, but few have been like the real thing.
These four-ingredient Reese’s are some of the closest I’ve ever tried. You’ll make them with powdered sugar, chocolate, peanut butter, and a pinch of salt.
They have the same great texture – hard on the outside, creamy in the center. And they mirror the taste of genuine Reese’s pretty well, too.
If you’ve got a Reese’s fanatic in your family, they’ll appreciate these. They also taste terrific crumbled up into homemade ice cream. Yum!
Oh, and you can go nuts embellishing these, too!
I always add salted caramel to the mix. But mini chocolate chip cookie dough is also incredible.
10. Copycat PayDay Candy Bars
What if I told you, you could make homemade PayDay bars in about 12 minutes?
It sounds too good to be true, right? Fortunately for you, it isn’t.
You can make these much faster than you could run to the store and buy them. Plus, they taste fantastic.
These nutty, salty, gooey bars are the perfect PayDays. They’re downright decadent, even though they require just five ingredients.
Bonus: Chewy Granola Bars with Chocolate
In the mood for something chewy, sticky, and chocolatey? Try these delicious homemade granola bars!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds or cashews
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chocolate, melted
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and line an 8×8-inch baking tray with parchment paper.
- Mix the oats, nuts, cranberries, raisins, and seeds in a large bowl.
- In a saucepan, warm the honey, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon over medium-low heat until smooth.
- Pour the honey mixture over the oats and mix until everything is well combined and evenly coated.
- Transfer the granola mixture to the baking pan and press it down firmly with a spatula. Then, bake for 15 minutes and remove from the oven.
- Let the granola cool for 5 minutes, then carefully lift it out of the pan to cool on a wire rack.
- When the granola is cold, melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
- Slice the granola into bars, then dip them into or drizzle them with chocolate. Place the bars in the fridge to set the chocolate, then serve and enjoy!
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Love the recipes. I love to bake and make candy. I spent hours making different candy bars for my family, and now they want me to make them all the time.Thank you.
So happy to hear you and your family liked the candy bars, Saprina!