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I have had one PayDay candy bar in my lifetime. We were on our way home from a horse show in Lexington, KY, and we didn’t really have snacks for the trip home. Since we weren’t really planning on stopping for a meal on the way home (we were hauling horses), we all grabbed candy bars at a gas station. Yes, we grabbed candy bars to replace a meal; yes, this was after I had been a successful THM blogger for over a year; and yes, those candy bars made me sick. But I do have an excuse: after hearing all about low-carb PayDay mockups (like the famous “Pay Off Day Candies” from the THM cookbook), I thought I should come up with my own, and how was I supposed to do that if I had never tasted the real thing? That is a valid excuse, y’all.
And it resulted in this recipe, so aren’t you happy? I know you’ll forgive me for my transgression.
Actually, my sister Katelyn is the one who came up with this basic recipe, but since she never measures, I made it on my own with my own flair and wrote it down for humanity. These fat bombs have all the flavors of a PayDay candy bar, minus the fattening qualities! Yeah, fat doesn’t make you fat. Who knew?
Traditional PayDays are caramel and peanut butter flavors together, but since I despise the taste of caramel extract, I like to use maple instead. I think it tastes more caramelly than caramel extract. Go figure.
If you omit the peanuts in these cool candies, they actually work in a THM Deep S setting! (You can click here for other Deep S recipes.)
To find out more about Trim Healthy Mama and see a lot of helpful links, you can visit my “Starting THM” page!
You can go here to see all my dessert recipes in one handy pictorial index!
You can find this recipe in my cookbook, Necessary Food.

- ¼ cup refined coconut oil, melted
- 2 T salted butter, melted
- 2 T defatted peanut flour
- 1 T whey protein powder
- 2 doonks THM Pure Stevia Extract Powder (a doonk is 1/32 tsp.)
- A dash each of vanilla and maple extracts
- Small dash of salt, if needed
- Peanuts
- Stir together all ingredients except for the salt and peanuts. Taste and add a very small dash of salt if necessary.
- Pour the candy mixture into molds or into a foil-lined container. Sprinkle with the desired amount of peanuts. Freeze until hard, then remove from molds or break up into pieces.
- Store in freezer.
I'm not going to tell you how many are a serving size because that totally varies on what else you're eating at the same time. Eat a moderate amount. 😉
Suggested products:
- Defatted Peanut Flour
- Whey Protein Powder
- THM Pristine Whey Protein Powder, THM Defatted Peanut Flour, and THM Pure Stevia Extract Powder can all be purchased from the Trim Healthy Mama online store.
So I made these and have decided these are the BEST! I didn’t add the peanuts but they don’t need them. I will be keeping this recipe as a go to. Briana, thanks for sharing your gift of recipe creating with the us.
Looks delicious! I wonder if I could use 1/4 C MCT oil, instead of the coconut oil. All I have is unrefined and I don’t think I want the coconut flavor for these. Have you ever used MCT?
No, I’m afraid I haven’t! Since it’s in liquid form I’m wondering if it would solidify the same as refined coconut oil? I’m guessing it would be OK if you keep these pretty cold, but I’m really not sure!
Can I replace the peanut flour for something else?
You could try replacing it with natural peanut butter. 🙂 This would make the candies more calorie dense.
Thanks, I’ve been looking for good deep s snacks and meals!
I always use maple extract when I make the THM Payday Candies. I used caramel one time because I was out of maple extract and it just wasn’t as good!
Can we sub collagen in place of protein powder in most recipes? I just got some and still not sure how to use it besides putting it in my morning coffe .
I’ve never used collagen, so I’m not sure how it compares.
I have seen it used in other fudge or fat bomb recipes and I plan to try it!! I will try to remember to come back and post the results!! Thanks for a simple yummy snack recipe!
Have you tried this without the butter? … looking for dairy free treats other than skinny chocolate and coconut centered recipes. 🙂
No I haven’t, and I’m sure the texture would change (become harder), but you’re welcome to try. 🙂
Hi Briana,
I made these the other day without peanuts and sweetened with gentle sweet. I love the flavor. But mine settled with all the sweetness and flavor on the bottom of the mold. It was much darker and sweeter.
Any suggestions on what I did wrong?
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful recipes!
A heavier sweetener like Gentle Sweet is more apt to settle than stevia is. I would try heating the coconut oil and butter until it’s pretty warm next time, then whisking everything in really well.
Good to know! I’ll try that. 🙂
I have seen people say not to melt the oil all the way, but just until warm and there are a few hard pieces still in it. Then whisk or put in the blender. Everything combines nicely, but since the oil is thicker and not totally liquid, it doesn’t settle.
Thanks for the tip!
I just rewarmed them until they were soft but not completely melted and blended. Worked perfect! Thanks for the tip!
So what are they WITH the peanuts if they are deep S without?
Just a regular S. 🙂
Thanks.
Made these beauties before lunch, popped them in the freezer and just sampled one…..okay maybe more than one 😉 THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! These actually reminded my husband and I of his all time favorite candy that he has been missing so much! Maple nut goodies! I kept the peanuts out so they would stay a Deep S snack, lol but now I have to add peanuts to the shopping list. Thank you for taking one for the team and trying a payday candy bar to bring us this delicious, healthy treat <3
I’m so glad you liked them as much as I did!
I thought the same thing, Brach’s Candies, Maple Nut Goodies. Briana is a genius!!!
I’m enjoying following you on Pinterest, and I appreciate you doing all of these recipes. Can you help me by sharing where you purchase your flavorings?
Hi Jacquie! I get mine from various places – Walmart, a local cake decorating store, discount grocery stores…
These look wonderful. May I ask how much truvia you would use instead of stevia if that is all one has on hand? Thanks so much for all your dedication and all the wonderful recipes!
🙂 Charlene
Hi Charlene! I’d just add some to taste, but if you want help finding a concrete number you can check out this sweetener conversion chart: http://www.trimhealthymama.com/main-home/sweetener-conversion-chart/
I personally find that I usually use less sweetener than the chart calls for, so start with less and taste as you add more. 🙂 If using Truvia, I recommend grinding it before adding it to these fat bombs for the best consistency.
Do you know how much super sweet or gentle sweet you would use? I’m almost out of the pure stevia :-).
Hi Mary! I’d just add some to taste, but if you want help finding a concrete number you can check out this sweetener conversion chart: http://www.trimhealthymama.com/main-home/sweetener-conversion-chart/
I personally find that I usually use less sweetener than the chart calls for, so start with less and taste as you add more. 🙂 If using THM Super Sweet, I recommend grinding it before adding it to these fat bombs for the best consistency.
Thanks Brianna. I am making these tomorrow! They look delish.
Suddenly my to-do list for the day has been upended. 1) Make these 2) homeschool, clean house…. etc LOL!
Oh my! They look perfect. 🙂 I’m guessing you got the flower molds for these at a thrift store? So cute!
How did you know? Hahaha…