I Turned Leftover Snickers Into a Retro Midwestern Dessert—and I’m Still Dreaming About It

Halloween has come and gone, but if your household is like mine, chances are you may still be sneaking in handfuls of candy, wondering what on earth to do with all of those trick-or-treat leftovers. There are tons of creative ideas for using Halloween treats, such as Halloween candy blondies, Halloween candy cookies, Butterfinger Cake, or even pound cake bread pudding. But have you ever thought of making a salad? Before you jump to judge, hear us out: We’ve got a retro Midwestern classic on deck, and it’s crying out for that abundance of leftover Snickers.

From potlucks to holiday parties, the Midwest is known for its creative and delicious dessert salads. Classic dessert salads are typically made with ingredients like Jell-O, whipped toppings, fruit, nuts, and, in some cases, mayonnaise. I’d heard of strawberry pretzel salad, ambrosia fruit salad, and even Oreo fluff salad, but it was Snickers salad that instantly caught my attention.

I won’t lie. I was a bit of a skeptic at first. However, after whipping up this dessert salad in my kitchen, I can confirm it's very tasty! The recipe requires just five ingredients and four easy steps to prepare. It’s quick and easy to make, not overwhelmingly sweet, and packed with a variety of textures that make it really fun to dig into. If you’ve got leftover Snickers in your Halloween haul, then this is the perfect opportunity to try a sweet Midwestern classic for yourself.

How To Make Snickers Salad

You only need a few ingredients for this retro classic: instant pudding, milk, whipped topping, leftover Snickers, and apples. First, you’ll whip up a package of instant butterscotch pudding. Then, stir a container of whipped topping, like Cool Whip, into the prepared pudding. Next, cut about six full-size Snickers into bite-sized pieces and fold them into the pudding mixture. Finally, you’ll peel, core, and chop three Granny Smith apples, then fold them into the mixture. And just like that, you’re ready to serve salad for dessert!

Tips and Tricks, According to Allrecipes Members

• Do I have to use instant pudding? Some Allrecipes members who used regular pudding mix reported “soupy results.” Those who have experience with this dessert advise you must use instant pudding, or else you’re likely to wind up with something soupy, rather than thick and creamy.

• What if I can’t find Granny Smith apples? You can use any apples for this recipe, but Granny Smith is ideal because they bring a slightly tangy flavor and a very crisp texture, which strikes a lovely balance with the sweeter, creamier ingredients. However, some Allrecipes members say they love using red apples like Pink Lady and Gala, as they also have a powerful crunch. You can always mix and match, as well!

• What if I can’t find, or don’t like, butterscotch pudding? I made a version of this with vanilla pudding, and it was equally delicious. It’s not quite as rich as butterscotch, but I actually preferred it that way. If you opt out of butterscotch, many Allrecipes members recommend vanilla pudding as the best swap.

• Do I have to use whole milk? For classic, thick, creamy results, Allrecipes members recommend either whole milk or half-and-half. Some people claim that skim or 1% milk will result in a soupier texture. Best to stick to the recipe on this one, or swap it for something even creamier, like half-and-half.

• Can I make this ahead of time? While you can serve this as soon as it’s ready, some Allrecipes members recommend preparing it ahead of time and refrigerating it overnight so the mixture can thicken even more, making it extra creamy and fluffy. If you’re preparing it ahead of time, consider adding the apples closer to serving in order to reduce the risk of browning.
  

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