Salted Nut Roll Recipe (2024)

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Posted by Aimee 43 comments
Published: Sep 27, 2019 Last Updated: Oct 13, 2023

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Copycat Salted Nut Roll Candy Bar Recipeis a candy store classic. You can make it at home and give all your favorite people a homemade gift this year!

I love making homemade candy. From haystacks, turtles candy, and divinity to our favorite peanut butter fudge recipe.

Salted Nut Roll Recipe (1)

Why This Recipe is Best

These homemade candies were a true labor of love.

After several unsuccessful attempts, I finally created the result I was hoping for: a soft center wrapped in chewy caramel and salty peanuts!

There are a couple of candies that if put in front of me, I could never resist. Pay Day candy bars, Salted Nut Rolls, and Bullseyes (caramel creams). Are you familiar with any of these?

Today’s Salted Nut Roll recipe is a cross between those classic Caramel Creams and a salty Pay Day truffles.

If caramel is your thing, this is definitely the homemade candy for you, and it would also make a really great homemade Christmas gift.

  • Smooth, creamy marshmallow center
  • Chewy caramel coating
  • Crunchy, salted peanuts for the perfect finish

Ingredient Notes

  • Unsalted Butter – I use and prefer unsalted butter in all of my baking so I can control the amount of sodium. If all you have is salted, it should work fine, too.
  • Marshmallow Cream – Also called marshmallow fluff, this is the base of the inner roll for the candy. We love using homemade marshmallow fluff for this too!
  • Powdered Sugar – Also called “confectioner’s sugar,” it dissolves into the marshmallow fluff to sweeten it and create a super smooth dough.
  • Caramel Bits – Any brand will do, but you need TWO 11-ounce bags for this recipe.
  • Peanuts – Use dry roasted, salted peanuts for best sweet and salty peanut flavor. And while peanuts are classic for this candy, you could try switching up the nut if you need to avoid peanuts.
Salted Nut Roll Recipe (2)

Easy Instructions

Make the dough. Melt the butter and marshmallow cream in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds, until butter is fully melted. Mix with the powdered sugar and vanilla and cream together until just combined.

Form and freeze the dough. Place the dough on the siplat and knead into a dough ball. Divide the “dough” into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 7-8 inch log (about 1-inch thick around). Wrap each log in parchment paper and freeze for 2 hours, until firm. You can freeze overnight if you’d like.

Make the caramel mixture. Melt caramel bits and butter in an 11×7-inch baking dish in the microwave, about 1 1/2 minutes, until smooth. The mixture will be very thick, and the butter will separate from the caramel. That’s OKAY. Using your hands, once the caramel has cooled slightly, press the caramel into the dish and then use a knife to make 6 equal slices.

Assemble the logs. Unwrap the frozen marshmallow log and using your hands, literally spread the caramel until it covers the center completely. Once the entire log is covered, press the chopped peanuts into the caramel to adhere. Re-wrap in parchment paper and refrigerate. Repeat for each log.

Slice and serve. When ready to enjoy, slice the logs into 1-inch pieces and enjoy!

Salted Nut Roll Recipe (3)

Tips and Tricks

  • Invest in a Silicone Baking Mat for kneading the marshmallow mixture to have a stable base that won’t stick to the dough.
  • Knead the marshmallow mixture using your hands until it’s nice and smooth to create a creamy filling for the candies.
  • You’ll need to use your fingers to stretch and shape the caramel around each log of the marshmallow dough until it’s entirely covered. It’ll feel like you’re working with play doh.
  • Have the chopped peanuts ready to go so you can immediately press them into the soft caramel and have them stick.
  • Be sure to refrigerate the candies after they are assembled so they set up completely and are easy to slice.
Salted Nut Roll Recipe (4)

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these candies ahead?

Yes! The marshmallow dough needs to be frozen for 2 hours before assembling the rolls and the whole candy needs to be refrigerated to set, so these are a great candy recipe to make in advance.

How do I store Salted Nut Roll?

These candies need to be refrigerated. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week, if they last that long.

Can I freeze salted nut roll?

You can freeze the marshmallow dough logs overnight or even up to 1 month in advance to make these candies easier to assemble. You can also freeze leftovers of the candy. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before slicing and enjoying.

More Candy Recipes

  • English Toffee
  • Cracker Toffee
  • Christmas Crack
  • Rice Crispy Treats
  • Churro Toffee
  • Divinity Candy
  • Pralines
  • Buckeyes
  • More Easy Dessert Recipes

Salted Nut Roll

4.75 from 31 votes

By: Aimee

Salted Nut Roll is a candy store classic. You can make it at home, and give all your favorite people a homemade Christmas gift this year!

Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 48 servings

Ingredients

for the filling:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 7 ounces marshmallow cream
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

for the coating:

  • 2 bags caramel bits 11 ounces each
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cups chopped peanuts

Instructions

For the filling

  • Melt the butter and marshmallow cream in the microwave, about 30-60seconds, until butter is fully melted.

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter and marshmallow to the powdered sugar and vanilla. Cream together until just blended.

  • Drop onto a silpat (or large piece of parchment paper). Use your hands to knead the “dough” into a large ball.

  • Divide the ball into 6 equal portions. You’ll then want to use your hands to roll each portion into a 7-8-inch log (the key is to keep it 1-inch thick around).

  • Wrap each log in parchment paper and freeze two hours until firm.

For the coating:

  • Melt caramel bits and butter in an 11×7-inch baking dish in the microwave, about 1 1/2 minutes, until smooth. The mixture will be thick, and the butter will separate from the caramel. That’s OKAY.

  • Allow caramel to cool slightly, then using your hands, combine the butter into the caramel and press the mixture into the bottom of the baking dish. Score it into 6 equal portions.

  • To cover the marshmallow centers, unwrap the frozen log and using your hands, take one section of caramel and spread it over the center completely. It will feel like you’re working with playdoh.

  • Once the entire log is covered, press the chopped peanuts into the caramel. Re-wrap in parchment paper and refrigerate. Repeat for each log.

  • When ready to enjoy, slice each log into 1-inch pieces.

Notes

  • Any kind of caramels will work.
  • The classic candy is made with peanuts but feel free to switch it up.

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 73mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 21g

Course: Candy

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Salted Nut Roll is a candy store classic. You can make it at home, and give all your favorite people a homemade Christmas gift this year!

Salted Nut Roll Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is in the middle of a salted nut roll? ›

It has a nougat center that is surrounded in a layer of caramel and then covered with salted Virginia peanuts. Pearson's use of reduced lactose whey makes this confection easier to digest for lactose-sensitive individuals. The Salted Nut Roll is available in a variety of sizes - . 5, 1.8 and 3.25 oz.

What's the difference between a payday candy bar and a salted nut roll? ›

Payday candy bars are very similar to nut rolls but nut rolls usually contain nuts that are not roasted. They also have a softer texture, with more of a sugary-candy fluffy nougat base than the crunchy and sweet caramel combination found in Payday candy bars.

What is in a Nut Roll candy bar? ›

INGREDIENTS: ROASTED PEANUTS, SUGAR, CORN SYRUP, PEANUT FLOUR, REDUCED LACTOSE WHEY (MILK), PALM OIL, STARCH, SALT, COCONUT OIL, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL VANILLA FLAVOR, SOY LECITHIN, MODIFIED SOY PROTEIN, NATURAL FLAVOR.

How old are salted nut rolls? ›

The Nut Roll was first manufactured in Pearson's Minneapolis facility in 1933. It was called the Choo-Choo because there were many salted nut rolls at the time. The original Choo-Choo cost a nickel.

Do salted nut rolls have caramel? ›

Loaded with crunchy roasted peanuts, golden caramel and fluffy nougat, each 1.8 oz salty-sweet Pearson's Salted Nut Roll contains 6g of protein to keep you moving and ready for anything.

Why do my nut rolls split when baking? ›

Nut rolls will crack or have a 'blow out' when the dough is rolled too thin, especially on the final roll. Keep the dough just above ¼ inch in thickness.

What candy was invented in 1933? ›

Pearson's introduced the Salted Nut Roll in 1933, at the height of The Great Depression. The success of the Salted Nut Roll prompted other manufacturers to mimic the confection. Pearson's subsequently changed the roll's name to the Choo Choo Bar, to distinguish the product.

What's in the middle of a PayDay candy bar? ›

The key ingredients of PAYDAY Candy Bars are salted peanuts covering a nougat-like sweet caramel center.

Are PayDay candy bars discontinued? ›

Since 1996, classic PayDay candy bars without chocolate have been continually produced by The Hershey Company. In 2020, Hershey's released a "Chocolatey PayDay bar" as a permanent part of the PayDay product line; it is identical to the regular bar, but covered by a layer of chocolate.

What candy bar makes you feel like a nut? ›

During the 1970s, Peter Paul used the jingle, "Sometimes you feel like a nut / Sometimes you don't", written by Joey Levine, to advertise Almond Joy and Mounds in tandem. The TV commercial was first aired in January 1977.

What candy bar has raisins in it? ›

The Chunky candy bar was introduced in the late 1930s by New York City candy maker Philip Silvershein, at the time made with milk chocolate, raisins, cashews and Brazil nuts.

What is a zig zag candy bar? ›

Zagnut is a candy bar produced and sold in the United States. Its main ingredients are peanut butter and toasted coconut. Zagnut. A candy bar with a peanut butter center covered in a layer of coconut.

Can you still buy the Seven Up candy bar? ›

During the groovy 1970s, Pearson's company ownership changes hands a couple of times and the Seven Up Bar is discontinued.

What is nougat made of? ›

Nougat is a confection made with sugar or honey that's cooked and then whipped with egg whites to aerate it. It often contains almonds or other nuts, candied fruits and chocolate, although it can be left plain. Nougat can be soft and tender like marshmallow but is more often dense and very chewy.

Who owns Pearson candy Company? ›

A Minneapolis-based investment firm has sold the iconic Pearson's Candy Company to California-based Annabelle Candy Co. Spell Capital Partners, which purchased St. Paul-based Pearson's in 2018, announced the deal this week.

What is nut roll made of? ›

➜ What are nut rolls made of? Traditional Slovak nut rolls are made of yeast dough rolled out thinly and filled with ground walnuts. The rolled strudel is baked on a sheet after being brushed with an egg wash to give it a shiny appearance before being placed in the oven.

How do they get the salt inside roasted in shell peanuts? ›

It turns out it's as simple as a high school science class. According to Tom, they begin with raw (unroasted) peanuts which are loaded into 1,000-pound vats called hoppers. Then the hoppers are filled with a simple brine made from water and salt (about 1% to 2% salt by weight—the exact amount is a trade secret).

Do they still make the Seven Up candy bar? ›

During the groovy 1970s, Pearson's company ownership changes hands a couple of times and the Seven Up Bar is discontinued. Although many questionable fashion decisions are made during the decade, the tried and true taste of Pearson's candies remains constant.

How are Five Guys nuts salted? ›

The peanuts are soaked in brine (which is absorbed through the porous shell), then dried, so the water evaporates and leaves the salt inside. The peanuts are boiled in large cookers of very salty water.

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