Homemade Big Hunk Candy Bars (Easy Peanut Nougat Recipe)

If you love nostalgic candy bars, this Homemade Big Hunk recipe is a fun and delicious treat to make at home. The classic Big Hunk candy bar is known for its chewy honey-flavored nougat packed with crunchy roasted peanuts. It’s a simple combination of ingredients, but the sweet flavor and soft, chewy texture make it completely irresistible.

This copycat Big Hunk candy recipe is especially fun to make during the holidays. Homemade candy always feels a little more special, whether you’re adding it to a Christmas dessert tray, giving it as a homemade food gift (great neighbor gifts), or simply enjoying a sweet treat with family and friends. The chewy honey nougat combined with roasted peanuts creates a classic old-fashioned candy flavor that many people remember from childhood.

If you enjoy making homemade candy like fudge, peanut brittle, or caramel treats, this roasted peanut nougat recipe is another great one to add to your collection. It’s surprisingly simple, and the results are a chewy, sweet candy bar that is perfect for sharing. Check out the links later in this post for other candy recipes you will want to make!

Keep reading to learn how to make this delicious homemade Big Hunk candy recipe step-by-step.

We are so glad you are here. You will find hundreds of delicious family friendly recipes on our recipe blog. Here are a few dessert recipe links you will love for the holidays: The Best Gooey Caramel Corn, Christmas Snack Mix, Chocolate Mousse Pie, White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, Carrot Cake Bars, Nutty Buddy Cupcakes, Chocolate Mousse, Rocky Road Brownies, Churro Corn Pops, Almond Joy Fudge, Peanut Brittle, Chocolate Orange Fudge, Homemade Caramel and Scotchmallow Cookies.

Helpful Things For Nougat Candy Bars (click the links below):

Clear Candy Wrappers

Dry Roasted Peanuts

Agave Syrup

Vanilla Want to start making your own vanilla? It is so easy but, it takes months so start today-you’ll love it! Check out our recipe for homemade VANILLA!

Candy Thermometer

Making your own Big Hunk candy at home is easier than you might think. With just a few pantry ingredients like dry roasted peanuts, sugar, butter and vanilla (plus a couple you may need to buy-agave syrup and marshmallow creme), you can create a homemade version that tastes just as good as the original candy bar. In fact, many people think the homemade version tastes even better because it is fresh and made with real ingredients.

Recipe Variations:

You can easily customize this homemade candy with some small variations.

Chocolate Drizzle Big Hunk: Drizzle melted chocolate over the finished candy.

Almond Nougat: Swap peanuts for roasted almonds.

Mini Candy Bites: Cut the nougat into small bite-sized pieces. (This is my preferred way-bite-size pieces)

Agave Syrup Swap: You can use light corn syrup.

How To Store Your Homemade Big Hunks:

Store at room temperature: in an airtight container on the counter or in the pantry for up to one week.

Store in the refrigerator: in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.

I have yet to have enough leftovers to need to freeze these delicious bars-give it a try with a couple. I do freeze our HOMEMADE CARAMELS because I LOVE to eat then frozen for Christmas in July!!

Ingredients Needed For Homemade Big Hunk Candy Bars:

• 6 ounces dry roasted peanuts 
• 7 ounces marshmallow creme
• 1 cup Agave syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt

How To Make Homemade Big Hunk Candy Bars:

1. Place the dry roasted peanuts into a greased 8×8 or 9×9 glass Pyrex baking dish. 
2. In a candy pan or sauce pan with a thick bottom, over medium to medium high heat, bring Agave syrup and sugar to a boil. While stirring, do not scrape down the sides of the pan-stir across the bottom.
3. Stirring continually and using a candy thermometer, continue boiling until sugar mixture reaches 290°. Adjust heat as needed to reach the temperature but not burn the sugar. (should take 10 to 12 minutes-this is an estimate due to differences in pans and temperatures)(use your sense of smell-you should be able to tell if something is beginning to burn-don’t let it burn)
4. When sugar mixture has reached 290°, remove pan from heat and let stand for 2 minutes. 
5. While mixture sits, place marshmallow creme into to heat safe mixing bowl. 
6. Then, Pour the sugar mixture over the marshmallow creme. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine.
7. Next, add in the vanilla, salt and melted butter, while the mixture is still hot. Stir well.
8. As soon as the ingredients are mixed in, pour the nougat over the peanuts in the baking dish-cover all of the peanuts. Work quickly. Use the back of the wooden spoon to move nougat a bit, if needed.
9. Allow time to cool and set up. Then, cut into desired sized pieces and enjoy or wrap in candy wrappers to eat later. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator. These Big Hunk bars or bites make great gifts for the holidays-neighbor gifts or co-worker gifts.

Expert Tips for Big Hunk Candy Bars:

1. If the candy wrappers seem to be difficult to remove from the candy, refrigerate and try again. This can happen with homemade caramel, too.
2. Use a candy thermometer for an accurate temperature reading.
3. Work quickly when spreading the nougat over the peanuts.
4. If possible, use a thick bottom pan.
5. When making candy, it is helpful to have another person hold the pan as you remove and smooth the candy.

FAQs:

What is Big Hunk candy made of?

Big Hunk candy is a chewy honey-flavored nougat filled with roasted peanuts.

Why is my homemade nougat too hard?

If the sugar mixture cooks too long or reaches too high of a temperature, the candy can become hard. Likewise, if you didn’t reach the correct temperature, your candy will be more sticky and too soft.

What is the best way to store homemade Big Hunk candy?

In an airtight container in the refrigerator-for up to 3 weeks. I like to wrap mine in the candy papers linked above.

Is this recipe easy to double?

YES! Here are the ingredients doubled: 12 ounces dry roasted peanuts, 14 ounces marshmallow creme, 2 cups agave syrup, 1 tsp vanilla, 4 Tbsp melted butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/4 tsp salt.

Is Big Hunk candy gluten free?

Most versions are naturally gluten free, but always check ingredient labels.

More Candy Recipes You Will Love: 💕

Black Licorice Caramel– this is so perfect for Halloween!

Almond Joy Fudge-perfect for Christmas or yummy for Mother’s Day!

Homemade Caramel-love this for Christmas and Christmas in July!

Pecan Brittle-family favorite on the toffee side! It’s a must for Christmas Candy!

Peanut Brittle-better than I ever thought peanut brittle could be! Perfect for Father’s Day and Christmas!

Coconut Cashew Toffee-This is a new recipe for us. On a trip to Hawaii, I bought some coconut cashew toffee in a candy store. I love coconut and knew I had to copycat this candy. I did and it turned out even better than the one I bought-might me my new favorite!

Did you make this classic, chewy, sweet, Homemade Big Hunk Candy Bars (Easy Peanut Nougat Recipe)? I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out.

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