Every bite of this creamy dessert salad tastes just like a crunchy taffy apple … with little nibbles of Snickers candy! Fresh apples and roasted peanuts are bathed in vanilla cream dressing, then mixed with caramelly Snickers bits.
Topped with caramel drizzle or left on its own, this sweet sensation will make your belly happy. Serve it up as a side dish, dessert, or for a “treat yourself” snack!
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What Is Creamy Snickers Taffy Apple Salad?
Snickers Taffy Apple Salad is a versatile cold dish that can be served as a side dish to a meal or a dessert. While its exact origin is unclear, it seems to have originated in the upper Midwest as a church picnic or potluck food. Variations to the recipe as presented here include using grapes, whipped cream, crushed pineapple, sour cream, marshmallows, and even mayonnaise!
It’s one of my personal favorite dishes because it’s so quick to make, so it’s ready in minutes. And it’s deliciously sweet! Even if you don’t drizzle the caramel on top of your serving (which would be a grave mistake), the sweetness of the apples and candy team up with the creamy goodness of vanilla pudding and Cool Whip to create a crunchy fluff of deliciousness that will make your taste buds tingle.
What Kind of Apples Are Best to Use?
Since the dressing is so sweet, tart apples work the best. I recommend the traditional green Granny Smiths. They’re commonly used for apple pies and are about as tart as you can get. If you can’t get Granny Smiths, I recommend Jonathan, Pink Lady, or Ida Rush apples.
The variety of apples available to you depends upon not only where you live, but the harvesting season. Check out this guide from Washington Apples to get an idea of when certain varieties become available, then keep your eyes open in stores!
Can I Substitute A Different Candy?
I personally love the peanut and caramel chewiness that Snickers candy brings to the dish. But if you’re looking for something without nuts, using Milky Way or Twix bars will give you the same caramelly taste with a hint of chocolate.
Please note that using these candies do NOT make the dish safe for those with nut allergies, as these products (and others in the recipe) may be processed in facilities with nuts.
Directions
- Using an electric hand mixer, mix instant vanilla pudding mix and milk until thickened, about 1 minute.
- Fold in the thawed Cool Whip and gently mix by hand until it is a pale yellow color with no streaks.
- Next, fold in the chopped apples, Snickers, and peanuts.
- Pour into a serving bowl. Chill until serving.
Just before serving, drizzle with caramel sauce. For an extra touch, garnish with Snickers pieces and peanuts.
Looking for More Apple Recipes?
- Grandma’s Apple Cake is a delicious fall dessert that’s even better with freshly picked apples!
- For a fall side dish, try Apple Slaw with Cranberries
- Breakfast has never been better since we started enjoying Caramel Apple Dutch Baby Pancakes
Snickers Taffy Apple Salad
Course: Sides, Salad, DessertsDifficulty: Easy12
servings30
minutes30
minutesEvery bite of this creamy dessert salad tastes just like a crunchy taffy apple … with little nibbles of Snickers candy!
Ingredients
1 -3.4 oz box instant vanilla pudding
1 cup milk
8 oz. Cool Whip, thawed
5 large apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
6 -1.86 oz Snickers bars, chopped
1/2 cup lightly salted peanuts
Caramel sauce
Directions
- Using an electric hand mixer, mix instant vanilla pudding mix and milk until thickened, about 1 minute.
- Fold in the thawed Cool Whip and gently mix by hand until it is a pale yellow color with no streaks.
- Fold in the chopped apples, Snickers, and peanuts.
- Pour into a serving bowl. Chill until serving.
- Just before serving, drizzle with caramel sauce. For an extra touch, garnish with Snickers pieces and peanuts.
Notes
- Snickers Taffy Apple Salad is best when it’s made on the same day that it will be served.
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Looked decadently delicious… and it was! My goodness, what a find – great blogsite.
If you like taffy apples, you’ll love this side dish. Thanks for stopping by the site! We’ve got a lot of delicious recipes coming up in the next few weeks.