One of my favorite things to do each year during the holidays is to make my favorite Christmas candy recipes. Having yummy candy nearby is one of the hallmarks of Christmas for me. These 3-step Chocolate Peanut Clusters recipe is one of those candy recipes I make every single year at Christmas. Actually, it’s great all year long whenever you need a sweet chocolate dessert for yourself. These are my favorite cluster type candy followed very, very closely by my Dulce De Leche Marshmallow Peanut Clusters recipe.
As far as a peanut cluster recipe goes, this one is super simple and very easy to customize. For the batch in the photos we used white chocolate and drizzled with milk chocolate, but you can use any flavor of chocolate that you prefer. You can also change up the nuts you use if you would like. These peanut clusters are really good with pecans or cashews as well as peanuts. This chocolate peanut cluster recipe is also known as Crockpot candy because you literally dump your ingredients into a 6-quart slow cooker and walk away. They’re a great recipe to get cooking while you work on something else.
3-Step Chocolate Peanut Clusters Recipe
Before you make your Crockpot chocolate peanut clusters, I recommend that you pick up a box of slow cooker liners to use. They will help make clean up a snap since this recipe does have the potential to get messy. It is also a great recipe to let the kids help with too! With assistance, they can help stir or even spoon the candy out once it is ready.
These chocolate peanut clusters are also a great freezer cooking recipe. You can make them as much as a two weeks ahead of time and freeze to keep them fresh. To do so, make the recipe in its entirety. Once your Crockpot candy has fully cooked, line an airtight food storage container with a piece of parchment paper cut to fit. Add a single layer of candy and cover with parchment paper. Continue to layer the candy using the parchment paper to keep the pieces from sticking to each other and freeze.
You Will Need:
- 2 jars roasted peanuts
- 2 packages chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or almond bark
- 2 large Tbsp. shortening or 1 bar from a brick of paraffin wax (optional)
How to make chocolate peanut clusters in the Crockpot
There are a couple of thing to know about the peanut cluster ingredients you’ll be using before you get started. You can use salted or unsalted peanuts. If you like the combo of sweet and salty, use salted peanuts. If you prefer a more pure taste, use unsalted peanuts. Do not use honey roasted or any other type of flavored nuts.
Secondly, as I said earlier, you may use any type of candy coating as long as you can melt it. That’s the beauty of Crockpot candy. It is extremely versatile. Use milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips or even a simple almond bark.
To make this peanut cluster recipe, add the peanuts and chocolate to a 6 or 8-quart Crockpot. If you are using almond bark, be sure to break it up a bit so you don’t have a solid block trying to melt. Once you add the ingredients, you do not need to attempt to stir them. Simply throw the ingredients into the crock.
Another ingredient you may add but one that is totally option is 2 tablespoons shortening or 1 slice from a brick of paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is a food safe wax that is used in food preservation. When you add it to your peanut clusters, it will cause the chocolate to harden a bit better and melt slower. Again this step is 100% optional and its one I usually don’t bother with.
How to Make Crockpot Candy
Turn the Crockpot on low and put the lid on. Leave it sit for around 60 minutes. At 60 minutes, check to see if the chocolate has melted and give it a stir. If it is fully melted, stir it until its fully combined and your peanuts are distributed well. If it needs a few more minutes, stir and replace the lid. Check it again in 20-30 minutes.
Once the chocolate has melted, turn the heat on your slow cooker down to the warm setting and line a half sheet pan with parchment paper. You can also use wax paper if that is all you have. Using a household tablespoon, scoop out the peanut clusters placing them onto the pan one at a time. Set the sheet aside and allow the candy to cool and harden completely.
When you’re scooping out the candy clusters, don’t leave your slow cooker on low. It could burn the chocolate. It is very important that you turn the heat down to the warm setting so this doesn’t happen.
Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Chocolate Crockpot Candy Recipe – Candy recipes don’t need to be complicated. This chocolate peanut clusters recipe is only 3 steps and tastes amazing!
- 2 jars Roasted Peanuts
- 2 12 oz. packages Chocolate (Can Use Milk, Dark, White or Almond Bark)
- 2 tbsp shortening (optional)
Add peanuts, chocolate and shortening (if using) to a 6 or 8 quart Crockpot.
Break up any large pieces of chocolate.
Heat on low 60-90 minutes or until chocolate is fully melted and can be stirred to mix.
Drop by household tablespoon onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Allow to cool completely.
