Two summers ago, oliver's birthday fell during an exceptionally hot week, and I was frantically searching for a dessert that would wow his friends without complicated techniques. Remembering the bag of fun-size Snickers from Halloween still in the pantry, I decided to press them into brownie batter and see what happened. What emerged from that oven became legendary - these snickers brownies combine fudgy chocolate base with gooey caramel, crunchy peanuts, and melted chocolate nougat in every bite. Now they're so requested that I keep Snickers stocked year-round, and oliver's friends specifically ask if "those candy brownies" will be at every gathering.
Why You'll Love These Snickers Brownies
These indulgent candy bar desserts solve every chocolate craving with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction. Ready in under an hour including baking time, they transform simple brownie batter and store-bought candy bars into something that tastes like you spent hours in a professional kitchen. The beauty lies in how the Snickers melt into the brownies - caramel gets gooey and stretchy, peanuts add satisfying crunch, nougat becomes soft and chewy, and chocolate creates fudgy pockets throughout. Perfect for birthday parties, bake sales, potlucks, or Tuesday afternoons when you need something outrageously good, these deliver consistent crowd-pleasing results whether you're an experienced baker or just starting out.
What makes these gooey snickers brownies truly special is how they satisfy every texture and flavor craving simultaneously. You get rich chocolate from the brownie base, sweet caramel that stretches when you bite, salty-crunchy peanuts for contrast, and that distinctive Snickers nougat that makes these unmistakably candy-bar inspired. Oliver loves that they're basically his favorite candy in brownie form, while I appreciate how forgiving they are - slightly underbaked means extra fudgy centers with melted candy, perfectly baked gives you clean slices with defined layers, and even slightly overbaked they're still delicious because the candy keeps them moist. Best of all, they're endlessly customizable - use different candy bars, add extra caramel drizzle, throw in chocolate chips.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love These Snickers Brownies
- Ingredients For Snickers Brownies
- How To Make Snickers Brownies Step By Step
- Substitutions
- Delicious Twists on Snickers Brownies
- Equipment For Snickers Brownies
- Storing Your Snickers Brownies
- What to Serve with Snickers Brownies
- Top Tip
- Sister's Secret Fix Passed Down for Generations
- FAQ
- H2: Time for Candy Bar Magic!
- Related
- Pairing
- Snickers Brownies
Ingredients For Snickers Brownies
For the Brownie Base:
- Brownie mix
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Water
- Optional: cocoa powder for extra richness
The Snickers Layer:
- Snickers candy bars
- Extra peanuts
- Caramel sauce
- Mini chocolate chips
Topping Options:
- Additional Snickers pieces
- Caramel drizzle
- Chopped roasted peanuts
- Sea salt flakes
- Chocolate ganache
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Snickers Brownies Step By Step
Prepare Brownie Base:
- Preheat oven to temperature specified on brownie mix box
- Line 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper leaving overhang on sides
- Mix brownie batter according to package directions until smooth
- Pour half the batter into prepared pan and spread evenly
Layer the Snickers Magic:
- Chop Snickers bars into bite-sized chunks (freeze first for easier cutting)
- Scatter chopped Snickers pieces evenly over brownie batter layer
- Drizzle half of caramel sauce over candy pieces in thin streams
- Sprinkle with half the chopped peanuts for crunch throughout
Add Final Brownie Layer:
- Pour remaining brownie batter over Snickers layer carefully
- Spread gently with offset spatula to cover candy completely
- Tap pan on counter to release air bubbles and settle layers
- Top with remaining Snickers pieces, pressing lightly into batter
Bake to Fudgy Perfection:
- Bake according to box directions minus 2-3 minutes for gooey centers
- Check at minimum time - toothpick should have moist crumbs
- Don't overbake or chewy texture becomes cakey and dry
- Let cool in pan for at least 30 minutes before adding toppings
Finish with Toppings:
- Drizzle remaining caramel sauce over warm brownies in zigzag pattern
- Sprinkle with remaining peanuts and sea salt flakes if using
- Optional: add chocolate ganache drizzle for extra decadence
- Cool completely before cutting for cleanest slices (or dive in warm!)
Substitutions
Candy Bar Options:
- Snickers → Milky Way bars (no peanuts)
- Regular → Snickers Ice Cream Bars chopped (unique twist)
- Standard → Mix of candy bars (Twix, Reese's, etc.)
- Traditional → Homemade peanut butter cups
Brownie Base:
- Box mix → Homemade brownie batter from scratch
- Regular → Gluten-free brownie mix
- Chocolate → Blonde brownie base (different but delicious)
- Standard → Peanut butter brownie mix
Caramel Options:
- Jarred caramel → Dulce de leche
- Store-bought → Homemade caramel sauce
- Regular → Salted caramel for flavor boost
- Standard → Butterscotch sauce
Nut Variations:
- Peanuts → Cashews or pecans
- Salted → Honey roasted peanuts
- Regular → Peanut butter chips (nut-free)
- Standard → Omit entirely for allergies
Delicious Twists on Snickers Brownies
Outrageous Snickers Style:
- Layer brownie with Snickers, peanut butter, and marshmallow fluff for over-the-top richness
- Add extra chocolate chips and peanut butter chips throughout batter
- Top with chocolate ganache, caramel, peanuts, and mini Snickers bites
- Perfect outrageous snickers brownies for serious chocolate lovers who want maximum everything
Salted Caramel Pretzel:
- Add crushed pretzels to brownie layers for sweet-salty crunch
- Use salted caramel sauce exclusively and sprinkle with sea salt flakes
- Top with chocolate-covered pretzel pieces and more caramel
- Creates sophisticated flavor combination that adults particularly love
Peanut Butter Cup Hybrid:
- Swirl peanut butter into brownie batter before adding Snickers layer
- Add Reese's peanut butter cups along with Snickers pieces
- Top with peanut butter drizzle and chopped peanut butter cups
- Combines two beloved candy bar flavors in one decadent dessert
Snickers Brownie Bites:
- Bake in mini muffin tin for individual portion-controlled servings
- Press one fun-size Snickers piece into each mini brownie cup
- Reduce baking time to 12-15 minutes for bite-sized treats
- Perfect snickers brownie bites for parties where finger food is ideal
Equipment For Snickers Brownies
- 9x13 inch metal baking pan
- Parchment paper for easy removal
- Sharp chef's knife for chopping candy
- Offset spatula for spreading
- Wire cooling rack
Storing Your Snickers Brownies
Based on countless batches, here's how to keep them perfect:
Best Fresh:
- Serve at room temperature within 2 days for peak gooey texture
- Fresh brownies have the softest caramel and chewiest nougat
- Candy bar pieces maintain best texture when recently baked
- Chocolate is most flavorful before refrigeration
Counter Storage:
- Cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap at room temperature
- Store up to 3 days in cool place away from direct sunlight
- Don't stack - place parchment paper between layers
- Caramel stays gooey and brownies maintain fudgy consistency
Refrigerator Storage:
- Cover and refrigerate up to 5 days for longer keeping
- Cold storage makes brownies extra dense and caramel firmer
- Bring to room temperature 20 minutes before serving
- Microwave individual pieces 10 seconds to restore gooeyness
Freezer Friendly:
- Wrap individual brownies in plastic wrap then aluminum foil
- Freeze up to 3 months without significant texture change
- Thaw at room temperature or microwave from frozen
- Caramel may weep slightly upon thawing but still tastes great
What to Serve with Snickers Brownies
From countless dessert tables and party spreads, the best companions for these rich brownies provide contrast rather than more sweetness. A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into warm brownie creates that classic bakery experience everyone loves, while a cold glass of milk cuts through the richness and cleanses your palate between bites. Hot coffee or espresso works beautifully for adult gatherings, enhancing the chocolate while balancing the caramel sweetness. A simple dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream adds airy lightness that contrasts perfectly with the dense, fudgy texture.
Fresh fruit provides the best balance when serving these indulgent Snickers Brownies. Strawberries add brightness and acidity that cuts through all that chocolate and caramel, while sliced bananas complement the peanut-chocolate combination naturally. Raspberries offer tart contrast that prevents palate fatigue, and orange slices bring citrus notes that enhance chocolate flavor. These snickers brownies are incredibly rich, so serve slightly smaller portions - about 2-inch squares instead of standard 3-inch cuts. Oliver's rule is "if you can finish it and immediately want another, the portion is perfect!" The intense flavor combination means a little goes a long way, and guests will appreciate not feeling overwhelmed.
Top Tip
- Our biggest breakthrough with these snickers brownies came from oliver's "engineering" phase when he was obsessed with building structures. He insisted we needed "foundation, middle, and roof" layers instead of just mixing everything together randomly. While I thought he was being dramatic, his architectural approach transformed these from good to extraordinary.
- The bottom brownie layer bakes first and sets firm, creating stable base. The Snickers and caramel middle stays gooey because it's protected by batter on both sides. The top brownie layer seals everything in while the exposed Snickers pieces get slightly caramelized in the oven. This triple-layer method prevents the common problem where candy bars either sink to the bottom or float to the top - everything stays exactly where you put it, creating perfect distribution in every single slice.
- Our other game-changer was oliver's insistence on "saving the best for last" by reserving the prettiest Snickers pieces for the top layer. Those visible candy chunks signal exactly what's inside, making the brownies look as incredible as they taste. We also discovered that rough-chopping creates better texture variety than uniform pieces - some big chunks provide substantial candy bar bites while smaller pieces distribute flavor throughout.
Sister's Secret Fix Passed Down for Generations
My sister learned this trick from our grandmother, who learned it from her mother during the Great Depression when wasting ingredients wasn't an option. Instead of chopping all the Snickers bars at once, Grandma would freeze half of them solid and leave the other half at room temperature. The frozen pieces stayed intact during baking with sharp edges and concentrated candy bar flavor, while the room temperature pieces melted into gooey pockets of caramel that oozed throughout the brownies.
Sister took this wisdom further by discovering that pressing whole mini Snickers into the batter at different depths creates a treasure hunt effect - some pieces sit right on top getting slightly crispy, others hide in the middle staying perfectly gooey, and a few at the bottom create this incredible caramelized layer against the pan. "Every bite should be a surprise," she says, and she's absolutely right. The variety of textures from that single technique transforms ordinary candy bar brownies into something people talk about weeks later.
FAQ
How to make brownies quick and easy?
Use quality box mix and follow package directions exactly - it's not cheating, it's efficient! These snickers brownies with box mix prove that starting with a shortcut doesn't mean sacrificing flavor. Add your own touches like candy bars, extra chocolate, or caramel to make them special and distinctly yours.
Is Snickers brownie good?
Absolutely! Snickers brownies combine everything beloved about the candy bar - chocolate, caramel, peanuts, nougat - with rich fudgy brownie base. The combination of textures (chewy, gooey, crunchy) and flavors (sweet, salty, chocolate) creates incredibly satisfying dessert that appeals to most people. They're consistently requested at gatherings for good reason.
How to make a 2 ingredient brownie?
Mix Nutella with eggs for simple 2-ingredient brownies, but they won't have traditional texture or flavor. For these layered brownies with snickers, the box mix shortcut is already easy while producing much better results. Sometimes a few extra ingredients make all the difference in final quality.
Can you add candy bars to brownie mix?
Yes! Chop candy bars and layer or fold them into brownie batter. The key is not overmixing once candy is added, and adjusting baking time since candy pieces affect how batter sets. These Snickers Brownies with snickers pieces prove that candy bar additions create restaurant-quality dessert bars from simple box mix.
H2: Time for Candy Bar Magic!
Now you have all the secrets to making perfect snickers brownies - from oliver's triple-layer engineering to the strategic rough-chopping technique. These party dessert ideas prove that sometimes the best recipes come from creative combinations of familiar favorites rather than complicated from-scratch techniques.
Craving more family favorites? Try our Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas Recipe for quick weeknight dinners that everyone loves. Need a show-stopping dessert? Our Easy Strawberry Shortcake Sushi Roll creates beautiful presentations with minimal effort. And don't miss our Healthy Amish Hamburger Steak Bake Recipe - it's comfort food that actually feeds a crowd affordably!
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Snickers Brownies Recipe
Snickers Brownies
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch metal baking pan (Metal pan ensures even baking)
- 1 Parchment paper (For easy removal)
- 1 Mixing bowl (For brownie batter)
- 1 Whisk or spatula (For mixing)
- 1 Sharp knife (To chop candy bars)
- 1 Offset spatula (For spreading layers evenly)
- 1 Wire cooling rack (To cool brownies completely)
Ingredients
For the Brownie Base
- 1 box Brownie mix - 18-20 oz box, any brand
- 2 large Eggs - Room temperature
- ½ cup Vegetable oil - As directed on box
- 3 tablespoon Water - Adjust per mix instructions
- 1 tablespoon Cocoa powder - Optional, for extra richness
The Snickers Layer
- 10 fun-size Snickers candy bars - Rough-chopped (freeze first for easier cutting)
- ¼ cup Peanuts - Chopped, optional for extra crunch
- ¼ cup Caramel sauce - Jarred or homemade
- ¼ cup Mini chocolate chips - Optional, adds gooey chocolate pockets
Topping Options
- 2-3 fun-size Snickers pieces - Pressed into top before baking
- 2 tablespoon Caramel sauce - Drizzle over top after baking
- 2 tablespoon Chopped roasted peanuts - For crunch and garnish
- 1 pinch Sea salt flakes - Optional, enhances flavor
- 2 tablespoon Chocolate ganache - Optional, for extra decadence
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13" pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the brownie mix, eggs, oil, and water in a bowl until smooth and glossy.
- Pour half the batter into the pan, scatter chopped Snickers, drizzle caramel, and sprinkle peanuts.
- Pour remaining batter over candy layer, spread gently, then press extra Snickers on top and drizzle more caramel if desired.
- Bake 30-35 minutes (check early for fudgy centers), cool 30 minutes, add optional toppings, cut into squares, and serve.
















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