Homemade Take 5 Bites

If you love Take 5 candy bars, you are going to love this easy homemade version. No baking required and every bite is the perfect mix of salty, sweet, and crunchy.

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Copycat Take 5 Bars Recipe

These homemade Take 5 bites layer pretzels, peanut butter, caramel, and chocolate into one irresistible little bite, giving you that perfect balance of salty and sweet that is seriously hard to beat.

This copycat Take 5 bar recipe tastes just like the ones from the Hershey company and comes together with minimal effort and zero baking required. If you are a fan of making candy bar classics at home, try my homemade crunch bars and 3 Musketeers copycat candy, too.

Ingredient Notes

Find the full recipe with printable directions below.

• Snap pretzels: The perfect square shape for a bite-sized candy, and that salty crunch is what makes the whole thing work.
• Crunchy peanut butter: Adds a little extra texture to the filling and gives you that classic peanut butter flavor in every bite. You can use creamy peanut butter with chopped peanuts if you would like.
• Butter: Helps bring the peanut butter filling together so it is easy to roll and press onto the pretzels.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling and gives it that smooth, slightly firm texture similar to a peanut butter cup.
• Milk: Just a splash if your filling needs a little thinning out to come together.
• Caramel squares: Brach’s or Werther’s both work great here. They melt down into a smooth, gooey layer that holds everything together.
• Water: Just a couple tablespoons to help the caramels melt down smoothly without seizing up.
• Chocolate chips or melting wafers: I used semi-sweet but milk chocolate also works. Melting wafers give you a slightly smoother, shinier finish if you want that extra polish.

How to Make Take 5 Candy Bars

Add the peanut butter, softened butter, and powdered sugar to a mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer until it comes together into a smooth, firm dough. If it is too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it out.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange 36 snap pretzels in a single layer. Press one peanut butter ball onto each pretzel, flattening it slightly so it sits flat and even.

Add caramel squares and water to a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 30-second intervals, stirring until completely smooth. Drizzle caramel generously over each peanut butter-topped pretzel.

Place a second pretzel snap on top of each piece, pressing down gently into the caramel to sandwich everything together. Transfer the baking sheet to the fridge and chill for 45 to 60 minutes until firm.

Melt the chocolate chips or melting wafers in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Using a fork, dip each pretzel sandwich into the chocolate, letting the excess drip off before placing it back on the parchment paper.

Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or pop the tray in the fridge to speed things up. Once firm, they are ready to eat or store in an airtight container.

Recipe Tips

• Use snap pretzels, not twists. The square shape gives you that even, bite-sized base and makes dipping in chocolate so much easier.
• Do not skip chilling. The 45 to 60 minutes in the fridge is important. It firms everything up so the Take 5 bites hold their shape when you dip them in chocolate.
• Work quickly with the caramel. It firms up fast as it cools, so drizzle it over the pretzels right after melting for the best coverage.
• A fork is your best friend for dipping. Drop the bite in the chocolate, flip it to coat, then lift it out with a fork and tap the fork gently on the edge of the bowl to shake off any extra chocolate before setting it on the parchment.
• Let the peanut butter filling come together before adding milk. Only add the milk if it is too dry to roll. A little goes a long way and you do not want the filling too soft.