So awhile back a post popped up in my Google Reader about these candy bars that are a rarity even in the country of their origination - the US of A. They're called Payday. Have you heard of them? Or even tried one?
Anyway, the post was a recipe for making a cookie bar type version of the candy bar. It looked delicious; studded with peanuts, chewy from marshmallows and a simple yellow cake base. Easy enough. I bookmarked it to make 'eventually' and promptly forgot about it. That actually happens to me a lot - how about you?
When Papa Bear, the Bear and I went to Trader Joes earlier this month, we stopped at a WalMart on our way home because I had a few free product coupons I wanted to use that were only good in the States. While standing in the checkout line, I spotted it - a Payday candy bar! For just a dollar, I added it to my basket.
Papa Bear had apparently not only heard of them - but has tried them before, so he let me rip the package open and have the first bite. Yep, it's a pretty good candy bar. When we got home, I printed out the cookie bar recipe and made it just a few days ago.
Honestly? These are really good. Almost too good. And they actually do have the flavor and texture of the Payday candy bar. Impressive! Give 'em a whirl:
Payday Cookie Bars
Framed via The Lonely Baker
Makes one 9x13 pan
1 box yellow cake mix
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 egg
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 bag peanut butter chips
2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup corn syrup (I substitute golden syrup)
2 cups crispy rice cereal
2 cups salted peanuts
Mix the cake mix, butter and egg; press into a slightly greased 9X13 pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden. Sprinkle marshmallows over top of crust. Bake for another 5 minutes.
Melt chips, butter, rice cereal and corn syrup in a saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in cereal and peanuts. Pour over base and spread evenly. Cool, cut into squares.
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These are one of my favorite candy bars. I'm going to have to try this recipe! YUM!
ReplyDeletePayday has a regular spot on our local convenience store shelf so I KNOW how tasty they are but this sounds just as yummy, especially in cookie form! Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteWe call these nut roll bars -- they taste like a pearson's nut roll bar to me. Of course, my recipe doesn't have the crispy rice cereal in it -- where does it get added in to your recipe? I don't see it in the directions....
ReplyDeleteOops! Good call, Stefanie! I added the rice cereal into the directions!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try this. My husband gets me the king-sized one every year for my Christmas stocking.
ReplyDeletelooks and sounds yummy, going to have to try it! Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteI still see Payday candy bars around here. Peanuts and caramel, yum. I might just try that recipe and veganize it. I always use golden syrup instead of cornsyrup too!
ReplyDeleteThis is a family favorite. I have found they are best stored in the fridge or freezer. When they get warm they get to gooey in my opinion :)
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI'd just like to check something. Is the Cake Mix you use WITH or WITHOUT pudding? It's just that I've tried making bar cookies with cake mix before and the liquid in the topping seeps through the cake and turns the whole thing into a soggy mess.
Thanks.
Hi Ann! Oh dear, good question...I am 99% sure it's the cake mix WITHOUT pudding. I don't think I've even bought that before...but yeah, go with the one WITHOUT pudding. Soggy=ew!!
ReplyDeleteit's not really making it from scratch if you're using a cake mix and peanut butter chips. i was really hoping your recipe was from scratch because i can't get either of those things outside the usa.
ReplyDelete