Published: · Modified: by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·
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Cuban lunch candy bars (we also call them Cuban lunch squares) were one of my dad's favorite chocolate bars when I was growing up, before they disappeared from the shelves. I personally didn't like them until I set out to recreate the recipe for my dad, with the help of his memory of this decadent treat.
I let him sample each batch of my copycat version until he was satisfied that it tasted like the original Cuban Lunch bar. It is very close to the original candy bar recipe!
I love trying to copycat recipes, just like I did with this copycat orange Julius recipe. It takes months of effort to get the flavors and textures as close as possible to the real thing.
This classic chocolate bar has the perfect ratio of chocolate to peanuts and is melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Here is the recipe that is now a frequent treat in our home and a gift to my dad every Father's Day.
The original Cuban Lunch bars came from Winnipeg, Manitoba. They were produced in the Paulin factory for over 100 years until 1991. A couple from Alberta have recently revived the chocolate bar, making it available on store shelves once again.
Here are the new Cuban Lunch Chocolate Bars that you can buy today and what the original candy bar actually looked like:
Tip: Make sure to use Spanish peanuts! They are typically used in candy bars for their smaller size and higher oil content that gives them a more nutty flavor when roasted.
Also, use high quality chocolate - you’ll be able to tell the difference. I love the Lindt Swiss Classic dark chocolate (their original) for this recipe, as it isn't very bitter for a dark chocolate - it has 49% minimum cocoa solids.
Why not trying using these chocolate bars to make skillet s’mores? It would make for a nutty twist on the classic. You would just need to make them a bit thinner.
Do you remember the Cuban Lunch Chocolate Bar? Did this recipe take you back? Let us know what you thought in the comments!
Hungry for more? Try our Pulled Pork Sliders for 4th of July
📋Recipe
Copycat Cuban Lunch Candy Bars
Joss Dyckson
This classic Cuban Lunch chocolate bar has the perfect ratio of chocolate to peanuts and is melt-in-your-mouth delicious! This recipe is very close to the original.
5 from 12 votes
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Prep Time 7 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 minutes mins
Cooling Time: 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Canadian
Servings 12 bars
Calories 279 kcal
Ingredients
- 16 oz. high quality dark chocolate - I use the large Lindt dark chocolate bars
- ¼ cup Spanish peanuts - chopped
- ½ cup Spanish peanuts - whole
Instructions
Break the chocolate into pieces. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently with a spatula. (You can use a metal or heat-proof glass bowl that fits on top of a pot.) Alternatively, you can microwave the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl at 20 second intervals, stirring each time until fully melted.
Take the bowl of chocolate off the heat. Stir in the chopped and whole peanuts. Mix well.
Pour the chocolate mixture into the mold, filling the cavities (only about half way up if you're using the suggested mold below).
Let the chocolate cool and set for at least 2 hours, until solid.
When the chocolate bars are solid, carefully remove them from the mold.
Serve and enjoy! These can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. If you are giving them as a gift, you can even wrap them in colored foil squares to make them look like legit chocolate bars.
Equipment
Notes
The mold size I use: 11 x 10.1 x 1 inch. Cavity Size: 2.9 x 1.9 x 1 inch
Nutrition
Calories: 279kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 6gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 47mgPotassium: 341mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 15IUCalcium: 37mgIron: 5mg
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Joanne Helm says
You did a beautiful job of recreating this chocolate bar called the Cuban Lunch,sadly those people from Camrose that are selling it for $4.00 dollars a chocolate bar can’t even come close to yours and you’re even sharing the recipe not making a dime!
The people from Camrose have sold over 1 million of those fake, horrible Cuban lunch scam chocolate bars! Whitaker original Sells a chocolate bar called a peanut butter slab it tastes really close to the Cuban lunch. Lol weighs more, and is $2.00 cheaper than the fake horrible quality Cuban lunch from Camrose, Alberta
If you were smart you would remove this recipe from the Internet and start making and selling them on your own.
Your bars really are amazing thank you so much!Kind regards
Joanne Helm
Reply
Joss D says
I really appreciate the compliment Joanne and also pleased to hear that you enjoy my version of the Cuban Lunch! I am happy to share the recipe. 🙂 I will have to check out the slab. Thank you so much.
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Will says
Thank you for the closest thing I have seen to the original recipe, peanuts and chocolate. No butterscotch, peanut butter, or potato chips.
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Joss D says
Thanks for the nice comment! My Dad made sure I got it as close as possible to the original. He was my taste tester and knew the chocolate bar well.
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Lynne says
I thought I would try this recipe for Xmas this year. I did 1/2 cup chopped nuts instead of 1/4 cup and I used Merckens dark chocolate. I put the mixture in little baking cups. This turned out excellent! I will be making a 2nd batch for Xmas or New Year. Thanks!
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Joss D says
See AlsoSmooth and Creamy Polenta RecipeThanks Lynne, that's excellent! I'm so glad they turned out for you. Merry Christmas and happy new year!
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Darlene says
Would it be possible to make these ( pour chocolate mix into ) mini muffin or candy cups ??a would they be ok or would they stick ? Any idea ? TIA
Always loved these ..would like to try to make themReply
Joss D says
Hi Darlene, you shouldn't have any problem using mini muffin liners. Let me know how they turned out!
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Kelly Neil says
The simplest recipes are always the best recipes! I've never heard of Cuban Lunch Squares but they look and sound amazing. Thanks for sharing!
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Joss D says
They are very tasty! Thanks for the comment Kelly 🙂 .
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Cynthia says
I love recipes with dark chocolate especially for no bake desserts! I haven’t had Spanish peanuts. How are they like?
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Joss D says
Spanish peanuts are great in chocolate, they are small and very nutty with a bit of crunch from the red skins.
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Terri Gilson says
I totally remember these!! And my husband and I were talking about them not too long ago. Great copycat!
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Joss D says
I'm so glad someone else remembers them! lol. Thanks Terri.
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Kristen says
I had never heard of these until recently I actually have been seeing rheum at Safeway. Of course a homemade version is much more my style and my hubby would love these - he’s a chocolate/peanut anything kinda guy.
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Joss D says
Oh they are so good, I'm sure he'd love them if he likes peanuts and chocolate! Thanks for the comment Kristen 🙂 .
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NANCY @instanomss says
what a lovely midday pick me up!! PINNED
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Joss D says
Thank you so much!
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Sharon says
Great tip about the Spanish nuts! That DOES make the bar perfection. What a difference. These are so easy and SO good.
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Joss D says
Agreed 😉 Thank you Sharon!
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Shelby says
I love how easy these are! They look amazing.
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Joss D says
Thanks Shelby!
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Vanessa says
I have never heard of this chocolate bar but it sounds like something my husband would love! Thanks for the recipe.
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Joss D says
Thanks Vanessa, it's a simple and delicious treat!
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