Snickers Salad

Name: Snickers Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 6 - 8
Ingredients: 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix; 3/4 c. whole milk; 1/4 c. caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling; 2 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature; 2 tbsp. powdered sugar; 1 c. heavy cream; 2 large or 4 small Granny Smith apples (about 1 pound); Juice of 1 lemon; 5 (1.86-ounce) Snickers chocolate bars, cut into cubes

This dessert is crunchy, creamy, and sweet!

By Ree DrummondPublished: Sep 26, 2025

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Stacy K. Allen

Yields:

6 - 8

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 20 mins

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s part sweet treat, part nostalgic potluck classic, then you’ve just met your new best friend: Snickers salad. This creamy, dreamy dish takes everything you love about a candy bar and folds it into a fluffy pudding-whipped cream base with tart, crisp Granny Smith apples. The result? A cool, crunchy, sweet-and-salty salad that’s just as fun to serve as it is to eat.

Similar to ambrosia or cookie salad, this dish isn’t really a salad at all—it’s more of a fun, creamy dessert that just happens to sit on the same table as the mashed potatoes and casseroles. So grab a big spoon (and maybe hide a bowl for yourself in the fridge!), because once you set this favorite out on the table, it won’t be there for long.

What is the origin of Snickers salad?
Snickers salad is a midwestern classic that is said to have started appearing at church gatherings, family reunions, and community events in the 1970s and 1980s. Its exact origin is hard to trace, but it’s firmly rooted in Midwestern food culture, where sweet “salads” made with pudding mixes, whipped toppings, and fruit are traditional for potlucks and holiday tables.

Can Snickers salad be made the night before?
You can make this snickers salad up to 12 hours ahead of time, but any longer than that and the apples will start to brown and get mushy. I recommend making it just a few hours before serving it for the best texture!

What's in a Snickers salad?
A classic Snickers salad is made with chopped Granny Smith apples, fluffy whipped cream, vanilla pudding, cream cheese, caramel sauce, and plenty of chopped Snickers bars. It’s sweet, creamy, crunchy, and perfect for potlucks, holidays, or anytime you want a fun twist on dessert.

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Ingredients

1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling
2 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
1 cup heavy cream
2 large or 4 small Granny Smith apples (about 1 pound)
Juice of 1 lemon
5 (1.86-ounce) Snickers chocolate bars, cut into cubes

Directions

1. Step 1In a large bowl, whisk together the vanilla pudding mix, milk, and caramel sauce.
2. Step 2In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar and mix on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
3. Step 3Add the heavy cream and beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 1 minute. Gradually fold the whipped cream mixture into the pudding mixture, taking care not to over-mix and deflate.
4. Step 4Core and chop the apples into bite-size pieces (you should have 3 to 4 cups). In a medium bowl, toss the apples with the lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside ½ cup chopped apple and 1 chopped candy bar for topping.
5. Step 5Pat the remaining chopped apples dry with paper towels, then fold them into the pudding mixture along with the remaining 4 chopped candy bars.
6. Step 6Spoon the mixture into a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours. Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with the reserved apple and candy pieces and drizzle with caramel sauce.