C172 pilot conducting practice maneuvers reported a flaps failure and return to departure airport.

Narrative

I departed ZZZ in Aircraft X at XA25 UTC on a solo flight. I flew to the practice area and performed commercial maneuvers. The practice area is located about 20-25 nautical miles east of ZZZ. After performing some maneuvers; I headed to FLY to practice power-off 180s. Finally; I headed back to the east practice area to perform some additional commercial maneuvers before the sun set. At approximately XB33 UTC; I performed an descent maneuver with 20 degrees of flaps. I held all three turns at 80 IAS. On my final (third) turn ZZZ ATC asked if I saw some traffic heading west back to ZZZ. I was a little distracted looking for traffic as I came out of the final turn. Due to this distraction; I believe I became a little fast and close to the white arc of the airspeed indicator (100 IAS). I realized I needed to retract my flaps so as not to overspeed the flaps operational speed. As soon as I retracted my flaps; I heard a snap. My left flap then immediately extended fully; and the right flap retracted. The sudden snap and asymmetrical flight dynamics took me by surprise and I held the aircraft level with full left alerion and right rudder. After checking the fuses; I radioed ZZZ approach on 124.0 letting them know the control issue and my intentions to return to ZZZ immediately. I did not [request assistance]. I assume I sounded a bit nervous over the radio as I continued to assess how to fly the plane in an abnormal configuration. After this; I then extended the right flap fully to establish symmetrical flight dynamics again. I ensured the aircraft did not exceed 80 IAS on the way back to ZZZ. No further flight issues back to ZZZ and I landed without incident at approximately XB48 UTC. ZZZ ATC did ask if I needed any assistance in the air or ground and I told them negative. On the ground I reported this to my primary flight instructor.