Sweet & Salty Snickers Apple Salad Recipe – Must-Try Dessert!

Snickers Apple Salad is an unexpected delight that has graced countless tables and sparked joy at countless gatherings. I remember the first time I encountered this unique dish; I was intrigued, then completely captivated by its surprisingly harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Imagine a dessert that cunningly disguises itself as a fruit salad, offering a playful twist that never fails to bring smiles and curiosity to the table.

The Origins of This Beloved Potluck Staple

Originating from the heartland of America, particularly prevalent in Midwestern potluck culture, this isn’t your average leafy green salad. Instead, it’s a brilliant, no-bake creation that has cemented its place as a beloved fixture at family reunions, holiday feasts, and casual backyard BBQs. It represents a wonderful example of comfort food ingenuity, proving that some of the best culinary innovations come from simple, joyful combinations designed to please a crowd.

People absolutely adore this Snickers Apple Salad because it masterfully combines the crisp, tart freshness of Granny Smith apples with the irresistible sweetness and chewy indulgence of chopped Snickers candy bars, all enveloped in a fluffy, creamy whipped topping. It’s the perfect symphony of sweet, salty, and tangy, offering a satisfying crunch from the peanuts and a delightful chew from the caramel and nougat. This recipe is not only incredibly delicious but also wonderfully easy to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy hosts looking to impress with minimal effort and maximum flavor impact.

Ingredients:

• 6-8 medium-sized apples (I love using a mix of Granny Smith for tartness and Honeycrisp or Gala for sweetness and crispness)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup milk (whole milk works best for richness, but any milk will do)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 10-12 fun-sized Snickers candy bars (or 4-5 full-sized bars), chilled
• Optional Garnish: Extra chopped Snickers, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or chopped peanuts

Preparing the Apples and Snickers

1. First things first, let’s get those beautiful apples ready. I always start by giving my apples a really good wash under cool running water. Even if you’re planning to peel them, it’s a good habit to ensure no lingering dirt makes its way into your delicious Snickers Apple Salad. Once washed, grab a clean kitchen towel and dry each apple thoroughly. This is a small but important step because excess moisture can sometimes dilute the dressing or make the salad watery over time, and we certainly don’t want that!
2. Now, it’s decision time: to peel or not to peel? For this Snickers Apple Salad, I often find that leaving the skin on a few of the apples, especially if they have beautiful red or green hues, adds a lovely pop of color and an extra bit of texture. Plus, apple peels are packed with fiber and nutrients! However, if you prefer a smoother, more uniform texture, or if you’re using apples with tougher skins, feel free to peel them all. Whichever path you choose, grab your peeler or knife, and carefully remove the skin if desired.
3. Next, we’re going to core the apples. You can use an apple corer for a quick and easy job, or if you don’t have one, simply cut the apple into quarters and carefully slice away the core and any seeds with a small paring knife. Once they’re cored, it’s time to dice them into bite-sized pieces. I aim for pieces that are roughly 1/2 to 3/4 inch in size. The key here is consistency; try to make all your apple pieces relatively the same size. This ensures that every spoonful of your Snickers Apple Salad gets a nice, balanced mix of apple and other goodies. Plus, uniformly sized pieces are just more pleasant to eat!
4. As you dice your apples, you might notice them starting to brown. This is totally normal, as apples oxidize when exposed to air. To keep them looking fresh and vibrant for your Snickers Apple Salad, I have a little trick: as soon as you’ve diced a few apples, transfer them to a bowl of cold water with a squeeze of lemon juice (about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per quart of water). The acidity from the lemon juice acts as a natural antioxidant, preventing that unsightly browning. Don’t worry, it won’t make your salad taste like lemon; it’s just enough to do the job. Once all your apples are diced and soaking, let them sit for a few minutes while you prepare the Snickers bars. Before adding them to the main bowl, remember to drain them really well and gently pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
5. Now for the star ingredient (besides the apples, of course!) – the Snickers bars. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend chilling your Snickers bars in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes before chopping them. This little trick makes them much easier to cut cleanly, preventing the caramel and nougat from sticking excessively to your knife. Once chilled, unwrap your Snickers bars. If you’re using fun-sized bars, you’ll likely want to cut each into 3-4 pieces. For full-sized bars, I usually slice them into discs first, then quarter those discs. Again, aim for bite-sized pieces that complement the apple chunks. You want enough Snickers in each bite to get that satisfying crunch and chew, but not so much that it overwhelms the apple. Set your chopped Snickers aside – resisting the urge to snack on too many is the hardest part!

Crafting the Creamy Dressing

1. This dressing is what truly brings our Snickers Apple Salad to life, providing that wonderful, creamy counterpoint to the crisp apples and chewy candy. Let’s start with your softened cream cheese. It’s absolutely essential that your cream cheese is at room temperature. If it’s cold, it will be lumpy and difficult to blend smoothly, and you’ll end up with little bits of unmixed cream cheese in your dressing – not ideal! Place the softened cream cheese into a large mixing bowl.
2. Using an electric hand mixer (or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment), beat the cream cheese on medium speed for about 1-2 minutes. You’re looking to achieve a light, fluffy, and completely smooth consistency. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula periodically to ensure everything is getting evenly mixed. This step is crucial for creating that luxurious, velvety base for our dressing.
3. Once the cream cheese is beautifully smooth, it’s time to add the granulated sugar. Gradually sprinkle the sugar over the cream cheese while continuing to beat on low speed. Once all the sugar has been added, increase the speed to medium and beat for another 1-2 minutes. You want to ensure the sugar is fully incorporated and dissolved into the cream cheese, so your dressing isn’t gritty. Scrape down the bowl one more time to catch any lingering sugar crystals.
4. Next, let’s introduce the milk. Slowly pour in the 1/4 cup of milk while continuing to beat the mixture on low speed. The milk helps to thin out the cream cheese mixture, transforming it into a pourable, yet still thick and luscious dressing. If you find your dressing is still a little too thick for your liking, you can add an additional tablespoon or two of milk until you reach your desired consistency. Remember, we want it thick enough to coat the apples and Snickers without being runny.
5. Finally, stir in the pure vanilla extract. I always say, a good quality vanilla extract can elevate almost any dish, and this Snickers Apple Salad dressing is no exception. It adds a wonderful warmth and depth of flavor that complements the sweetness of the sugar and the tang of the cream cheese perfectly. Give it one last good mix with your electric mixer until everything is thoroughly combined and your dressing is wonderfully smooth, creamy, and free of any lumps. Take a tiny taste if you like – just to make sure it’s perfect!

Combining and Chilling Your Snickers Apple Salad

1. Now for the moment we’ve been waiting for – bringing all these delicious components together to create our delightful Snickers Apple Salad! Grab a very large mixing bowl. The bigger the better, as it gives you plenty of room to gently fold everything without making a mess.
2. Carefully add your drained and dried diced apples to the large mixing bowl. Remember, those crisp, tart and sweet apples are the heart of this salad. Then, add all of your perfectly chopped Snickers bars right on top of the apples. At this stage, I sometimes give them a very gentle toss with a rubber spatula, just to get a preliminary mix going, but be careful not to bruise the apples.
3. It’s time for the creamy dressing! Pour the entire batch of your freshly made, smooth, and delicious cream cheese dressing over the apples and Snickers in the bowl. Try to distribute it as evenly as possible from the start.
4. Now, this is an important step: using a large rubber spatula or a sturdy spoon, gently fold the dressing into the apple and Snickers mixture. The keyword here is “gently.” You want to ensure every piece of apple and every glorious chunk of Snickers candy is lovingly coated in that dreamy cream cheese dressing, but without mashing the apples or breaking up the Snickers too much. Use an upward and inward motion, turning the ingredients over until everything is thoroughly combined and uniformly coated. This might take a few minutes, but patience is key for a beautiful Snickers Apple Salad. Keep folding until you see no dry spots and every element is glistening with the creamy dressing.
5. Once everything is perfectly combined, transfer your Snickers Apple Salad to a pretty serving bowl or a large airtight container. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. This is crucial for preventing a skin from forming on the dressing and for keeping your salad fresh.
6. Now comes the hardest part: the wait! Place the covered Snickers Apple Salad in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2-3 hours. I often find that chilling it for a minimum of 4 hours, or even overnight, yields the best results. Why is chilling so important? It allows all those incredible flavors – the crispness of the apple, the salty-sweetness of the Snickers, and the tangy creaminess of the dressing – to meld together beautifully. The dressing also thickens slightly as it chills, creating that perfect consistency that adheres wonderfully to every bite. This resting period truly transforms it from just a mix of ingredients into a harmonious and refreshing Snickers Apple Salad.
7. Just before serving, you can give your Snickers Apple Salad a gentle stir if you like. This is also the perfect time to add any optional garnishes to elevate its presentation and add an extra layer of flavor and texture. I love sprinkling a few extra chopped Snickers pieces on top, maybe a light drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra touch of decadence, or even a handful of chopped peanuts if you’re a fan of that nutty crunch. Serve this delightful Snickers Apple Salad cold, and watch it disappear quickly! It’s an absolute hit at potlucks, BBQs, or simply as a fun and unique dessert or side dish that truly pleases everyone. Enjoy every sweet, crunchy, and creamy bite!

Conclusion:

Well, my friends, we’ve reached the delicious end of our journey with this incredible recipe, and I truly hope you’re as excited as I am about what you’ve learned today. If there’s one dish I could implore you to try, it’s this one. It’s not just a recipe; it’s an experience, a delightful surprise that consistently brings smiles to faces and sparks conversations around the table. What makes this recipe an absolute must-try, you ask? It’s the ingenious combination of the crisp, refreshing crunch of fresh apples, the rich, creamy sweetness of the dressing, and those unmistakable, satisfying chunks of Snickers candy bars. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that dances on your palate, offering a perfect balance between fruity freshness and decadent indulgence. You get the wholesome goodness of apples, but then BAM! – you’re hit with the familiar, beloved taste of chocolate, caramel, and peanuts, all folded into a light, fluffy base. It’s truly a genius concept that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Trust me, the Snickers Apple Salad is a revelation, and once you taste it, you’ll understand why it’s become a cherished favorite in countless households, including my own.

This isn’t just a dessert; it’s incredibly versatile. Picture this: a summer barbecue, a casual family dinner, or even a festive holiday spread. This salad fits seamlessly into any of these scenarios. For a refreshing twist at a potluck, bring a large bowl of this, and watch it disappear faster than anything else on the table. Serve it alongside grilled meats, a hearty chili, or even as a standalone treat for an afternoon pick-me-up. It’s fantastic chilled, making it an ideal make-ahead option for busy hosts. Simply prepare it a few hours in advance, let the flavors meld in the refrigerator, and then scoop and serve when you’re ready. I often find myself enjoying a small bowl of it as a guilt-free (mostly!) evening snack when that sweet craving hits. It’s truly the chameleon of comfort foods, adapting to whatever occasion you throw its way. Its adaptability is one of its greatest strengths!

And let’s talk about making it your own – because that’s where the real fun begins! While the core recipe for this magnificent creation is flawless, it’s also wonderfully adaptable. Feel free to experiment with different varieties of apples; Granny Smith will give you a sharper tang that cuts through the sweetness beautifully, while Honeycrisp or Fuji will add another layer of natural sweetness and an even more satisfying crunch. Don’t stop there! Consider folding in other delightful ingredients. Perhaps some miniature marshmallows for an extra soft chewiness, or a sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts for an added earthy depth. If Snickers isn’t your only candy bar love, why not try chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups or even Butterfinger for a different kind of crunch and flavor profile? You could also drizzle a little extra caramel sauce or chocolate syrup over the top just before serving for an extra touch of decadence that will truly impress. For those who might want to lighten it up slightly, a blend of Greek yogurt and whipped topping can create a tangier, yet still creamy, base. The possibilities are truly endless, limited only by your imagination and your sweet tooth! Don’t be afraid to get creative with your variations!

So, now it’s your turn! I genuinely encourage you to roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and give this incredible recipe a try. You won’t regret it. It’s surprisingly simple to put together, making it perfect for novice cooks and seasoned chefs alike. Imagine the joy on your family’s faces, the surprised delight of your guests, or simply the pure pleasure of enjoying a bowl all to yourself. Once you’ve experienced the magic of this dish, I would absolutely love to hear about it! Did you stick to the original recipe, or did you put your own unique spin on it? What did your friends and family think? Head down to the comments section and share your stories, your photos, and your triumphs. Your feedback not only helps me, but it also inspires other home cooks in our community. Let’s make this the season of the Snickers Apple Salad – a truly unforgettable treat that proves dessert can be both refreshing and utterly satisfying. Happy cooking, and even happier eating!

Snickers Apple Salad

A delightful, easy-to-make dessert combining crisp Granny Smith apples, chopped Snickers candy bars, and a creamy butterscotch whipped topping. This unexpected delight is perfect for any gathering, offering a playful twist that brings smiles and curiosity to the table.

Prep Time
20 Minutes

Cook Time
PT0S

Total Time
20 Minutes

Servings
8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 (13.4 ounce) package instant butterscotch pudding mix
• 1 cup milk
• 6 ounces Cool Whip (or whipped cream)
• 3 large Granny Smith apples, cut into 1/2″ pieces (reserve 1/2 cup for garnish)
• 6 full-size Snickers Candy Bars, cut into 1/2″ pieces (reserve 1/2 cup for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons caramel sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1
   Wash, dry, core, and dice apples into 1/2″ pieces. To prevent browning, soak in lemon water for a few minutes, then drain and pat dry. Reserve 1/2 cup diced apples for garnish.
2. Step 2
   Chill Snickers bars in the freezer for 15-20 minutes, then unwrap and chop into 1/2″ pieces. Reserve 1/2 cup chopped Snickers for garnish.
3. Step 3
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk instant butterscotch pudding mix with milk for about 2 minutes, until thickened. Gently fold in Cool Whip until no streaks remain and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
4. Step 4
   Add the diced apples (not reserved) and chopped Snickers (not reserved) to the pudding mixture. Gently fold with a rubber spatula until all ingredients are well coated and evenly distributed.
5. Step 5
   Transfer the salad to a serving bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours. For best flavor melding and consistency, chill for 4 hours to overnight.
6. Step 6
   Just before serving, garnish with the reserved diced apples, reserved chopped Snickers, and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Serve cold.

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.