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This Snickers Salad comes together super fast and always wins big with a crowd. Tart Granny Smith apples get mixed up with smooth vanilla pudding and clouds of whipped topping. Chunks of Snickers bars hide in every spoonful. A caramel drizzle on top makes it perfect for holidays, potlucks, or whenever you're craving that gooey caramel apple vibe.
Whipped this up at a summer cookout and suddenly everyone needed more. Now my family begs for it for every holiday, even turkey day.
Irresistible Ingredients
- Caramel sauce: pour it on for the wow factor, totally optional but brings it all together. Choose a nice thick one for extra goodness.
- Snickers bars: every bite is a surprise of caramel, peanuts, and chocolate. Full-size ones work best for big flavor.
- Granny Smith apples: their tart crunch sets off the sweet bits just right. Look for really firm, bright green ones with no marks.
- Cool Whip or homemade whipping cream: fluffy and light. If you're whipping your own, make sure it's stiff and use the freshest cream around.
- Whole milk: gives you that perfect creamy texture. Whole is best if you want it rich.
- Vanilla instant pudding mix: makes the salad velvety and helps it hold together.
Simple Steps
- Finish With Toppings:
- Slice up the leftover apple and Snickers bar and toss those on top. Pour caramel sauce over right before you bring it out so it stays pretty.
- Chill:
- Pop the whole thing in the fridge and keep it cold. The flavors get even better, so let it hang out until you're ready to dig in.
- Combine Salad:
- Carefully stir those apple pieces and candy chunks into the creamy base. Try not to mash up the apples so they stay nice and crisp.
- Chop Snickers:
- Slice up all except one Snickers bar into little cubes so every scoop gets some candy magic.
- Prepare Apples:
- Chop all but one apple into small bits. If you're prepping ahead of time, toss the apple with a splash of lemon juice or a little 7-Up so it doesn't brown. Pat it dry and move on.
- Fold in Whipped Topping:
- Use gentle folds to mix in your whipped topping or homemade whipped cream, being soft-handed so the whole thing stays airy.
- Mix Pudding Base:
- Stir pudding mix and milk together in a big bowl till it looks smooth and creamy. No one wants clumps here.
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I love digging for the biggest hunk of Snickers. Sometimes I toss an extra one in for good measure. The kids fight to help with apple chopping, so now it's our go-to family dessert project.
Leftover Storage
Stash any leftovers in the fridge in a container with a tight lid for up to two days. The apples start to lose their crunch eventually, so slice them up right before serving if you can. If things look a bit watery, just give the salad a quick mix and you're good to go.
Switch It Up
Honeycrisp or Fuji apples make it sweeter if you like. Want a richer flavor? Whip up your own cream. Need this dairy-free? Use a plant whipped topping you love. Twix or Milky Way bars mix things up but nothing beats classic Snickers.
How to Serve
Chill it and scoop it out for dessert after a barbecue, birthday, or as a twist on apple pie in the fall. It’s also awesome as a surprise treat at potlucks or school get-togethers. Want some crunch? Sprinkle chopped candied pecans on top.
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Origins and Story
Sweet salads like this show up at every potluck across the Midwest, where creamy, crunchy, and fruity all mingle together. Since the 1970s, clever home cooks have been mixing pudding and fruit with fun surprises like candy bars. They’re meant for sharing at family hangouts any time of year.
Common Questions
- → What apples should I pick for this?
Go with Granny Smith. They're tart and crunchier, so they stand up to the sweet mix and don't get mushy.
- → Can I swap out Cool Whip for homemade whipped cream?
For sure! Just whip up some heavy cream and you're good. It's fresher and you can sweeten it to taste.
- → How early can I throw this together?
It keeps for a few hours in the fridge. To slow down browning, toss the apple bits in lemon juice or even a splash of 7-Up before mixing.
- → Can I try a different candy bar?
Yep! Snickers gives you caramel-y peanut crunch, but you can use other chocolate bars for a different spin.
- → Is caramel sauce a must?
You don't have to use it, but adding a caramel drizzle really bumps up the wow factor and adds extra sweetness.
- → How do I keep leftovers fresh?
Stick any leftovers in the fridge with a lid. It's best eaten in a day, since apples and cream start to get runny if you wait too long.