This Snickers salad is one of the easiest, tastiest dessert recipes you will make this summer. You only need 6 ingredients and 10 minutes to make this creamy, crunchy treat!
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Pin RecipeYes, Snickers salad sounds like a bit of a contradiction—and I totally get it if reading the name of this recipe leaves you feeling puzzled. Snickers… in a salad?! (That’s probably the same reaction you had learning about pineapple casserole or chocolate chip ice cream bread!)
Snickers salad is definitely one of my go-to recipes when I am in a hurry but need to whip up an irresistible dessert. Who can resist a big bowl of caramel-coated Snickers tossed with fluffy Cool Whip and crisp apples? I know I can’t!
Snickers Salad Recipe
When you hear the word salad, you think lettuce and vegetables. This Snickers salad is not that kind of salad. There are no veggies to be found in this recipe!
Instead, this is a true dessert salad, in the tradition of cherry fluff salad and Jello pretzel salad, not a side dish. Once you try this recipe, I am pretty sure that dessert salads will be your new favorite thing.
Snickers salad is actually a Midwestern tradition that’s been around for decades. My recipe uses Snickers bars, caramel sauce, and Cool Whip as the main ingredients. Honeycrisp apples are mixed in to give the salad a nice crunch, while vanilla pudding adds an amazing texture and creamy taste. This caramel apple Snicker salad is great for parties, brunches, or just to make for your family as a special dessert. I could eat this any day, any time!
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Ingredients for Snickers Salad
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Instant vanilla pudding – Be sure to use instant pudding as you want it to thicken quickly. Regular pudding mix will not set fast enough and the salad will be too runny. Instant pudding is the key!
- Whole milk – Any kind of milk will work, even dairy-free options like coconut milk or almond milk. I like whole milk because it’s rich and creamy.
- Cool Whip – Brand name Cool Whip really is best. It has the best taste and texture when compared to store-brand whipped topping.
- Honeycrisp apples – Honeycrisp apples are sweet, tart, and very crunchy. They have the perfect flavor for Snickers salad.
- Caramel sauce – Any kind of jarred or homemade caramel sauce will work!
Variations
Here are a few ingredient substitutions and alterations that will work well.
- Granny Smith apples will work in place of honey crisp. You really want a tart, crunchy apple. Any variety that fits that description will work!
- Add ½ cup of salted peanuts for a little extra crunch.
- Use butterscotch in place of caramel sauce for a slight twist.
How to Make Snickers Salad
- Make the pudding: Whisk the pudding and milk together until thick.
- Add the Cool Whip: Fold the Cool Whip into the pudding until completely it’s blended.
- Prep the apples and candy: Peel and chop the apples, then chop the Snickers bars. Try to make the apples and candy about the same size. Fold the candy and apples into the bowl of Cool Whip pudding.
- Add the caramel: Drizzle the bowl with the caramel sauce. Fold the sauce in a little bit if you’d like, then enjoy!
Quick Tip
Make sure your Cool Whip is thawed and not frozen. It’s much easier to fold into the pudding when it is soft.
How To Store Snickers Salad
You can easily make Snickers salad a day or two in advance. Loosely cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy! You can also store leftover Snickers salad in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for about a week.
FAQs
Snickers are made of milk chocolate, peanuts, corn syrup, egg whites, skim milk, lactose and palm oil. They also have artificial flavorings. As far as candy bars go, there aren’t too many crazy ingredients in a Snickers!
Dessert salads are typically quick to make and tend to be lighter and fluffier than more dense desserts. They’re great for summer since they are usually served cold, and also a popular choice for larger groups and parties. This Snickers salad is definitely perfect for a summer BBQ buffet alongside favorites like Grape Salad!
Snickers use to be called Marathon Bars. The candy went under this name mostly in the UK. In the 1990’s the Mars company renamed the candy to be called “Snickers” around the world, giving it one, universal name.
More Great Summer Dessert Recipes
Snickers Salad
Ingredients
- 1 box (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 1 container (8 ounces) Cool Whip, thawed
- 4 honeycrisp apples
- 5 Snickers bars, full sized
- ¼ cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Add the vanilla pudding powder and whole milk to a large bowl and whisk together.
- Fold the Cool Whip into the pudding until well blended. The mix will be thick.
- Peel and chop the apples into small, bite sized pieces.
- Cut the Snickers bar into small, bite sized pieces as well. I like to cut the whole bar in half lengthwise and then cut the bar into about 10-15 pieces.
- Fold the chopped apple and Snickers bars into the vanilla Cool Whip.
- Drizzle the dessert with the caramel sauce then serve cold!
