Snicker Salad – a sweet and tart dessert salad made with whipped cream, vanilla pudding mix, green apples and Snickers candy. A potluck favorite that’s quick and easy to prepare.
Growing up in the Midwest, Snicker Salad was a fixture at potlucks, family gatherings, and celebrations. It’s a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert salad that balances the tartness of green apples with sweet, creamy pudding and chunks of Snickers candy. It’s sometimes called Snicker Apple Salad, Candy Salad or Caramel Apple Salad—no matter the name, it’s comfort food that’s always welcomed on the table.
This salad is very forgiving and easy to adapt. Some people like to finish it with a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra richness, while others keep it simple and let the Snickers pieces provide the candy flavor. Both approaches are great—choose the version that fits your taste or the occasion.
What You’ll Need
Scroll to the recipe card below for a concise printable version of the recipe.
- Granny Smith apples – their tartness offsets the sweetness.
- Snickers candy bars – 4–5 full-size bars, or about 12 fun-size bars, chopped.
- Vanilla instant pudding mix – one 3.4 oz package.
- Milk – about 1/2 cup for the pudding mix.
- Cool Whip or heavy whipping cream – 8 oz Cool Whip or 1 cup freshly whipped cream.
When I was young my family often used Cool Whip. Today I usually prefer freshly whipped cream for a lighter, fresher flavor, but both work well and keep this recipe fast and simple.
How To Make Snicker Salad
- Prep the apples and candy. Wash the Granny Smith apples, core and dice them into small cubes. Chop the Snickers bars into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare the whipped cream. If using heavy cream, whip it to stiff peaks. If using Cool Whip, make sure it is fully thawed and ready to fold in.
- Make the pudding mixture. In a large bowl, whisk the vanilla instant pudding mix with the milk until smooth and thickened.
- Combine cream and pudding. Gently fold the whipped cream or Cool Whip into the pudding until evenly combined and still airy.
- Fold in apples and Snickers. Add the diced apples and chopped Snickers to the pudding-cream mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and serve. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve. The salad is best enjoyed fresh, though leftovers are still tasty after a day or two.
Recipe Variations
This basic recipe is very adaptable. Here are a few simple ideas to change it up depending on the crowd or the flavor you want:
- Add caramel sauce. A light drizzle of caramel over the top complements the apples and Snickers beautifully.
- Make it lighter. Use sugar-free pudding mix and a light whipped topping to reduce calories.
- Switch the candy. Milky Way, Twix, or Kit Kat can replace Snickers for a different candy profile.
- Try other puddings. Vanilla is classic, but butterscotch or chocolate pudding will give the salad a new twist.
- Use different fruit. Red grapes or a mix of apple varieties can offer a milder sweetness and change the texture.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This salad is best served within a few hours after assembling because the apples will begin to brown over time. To slow browning, toss the diced apples in a little lemon juice and then pat them dry before folding them into the mixture. If the apples are treated this way, the salad can be made up to a day ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.
Ingredients (serves about 8)
- 4 Granny Smith apples, diced
- 4–5 Snickers candy bars, chopped (or about 12 fun-size bars)
- 8 oz Cool Whip OR 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped to stiff peaks
- 3.4 oz vanilla instant pudding mix
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions (quick reference)
- Dice apples and chop Snickers. Toss apples with a splash of lemon juice if you plan to make the salad ahead.
- Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks, or thaw Cool Whip.
- Whisk pudding mix and milk until thickened, then fold in whipped cream or Cool Whip.
- Fold apples and Snickers into the pudding mixture. Chill until serving.
Nutrition
Approximate per-serving nutrition (use as an estimate): Calories: 323 kcal | Carbohydrates: 40 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 16 g | Saturated Fat: 10 g | Sodium: 150 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 31 g.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered approximate.
Join the conversation: I love seeing how people adapt old favorites—share your versions and tips, and let others know what candy or fruit you prefer in Snicker Salad.
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