Melt in your mouth crockpot peanut clusters perfect for the holidays. All made in one dish, a crockpot. Addictive and festive!
Have you ever thought to make candy in your crockpot? It is by far the easiest thing to do, and it's so easy to clean up once you are finished. I love using my crockpot this time of year. I of course also love candy this time of year!
Why Make Crockpot Peanut Clusters
Okay, the name of it alone describes how good it is. It is so easy to whip up, mess free and easy to clean compared to making candy in over ways. You don't need a double boiler and you can step away from the cook time for a bit and do something else. Just be sure to set a timer!
This candy has minimal ingredients, feeds an army so it's great to add to your Christmas cookies plates and more. I was able to feed Matt some, have it for Thanksgiving, sent family some with it and will also have leftovers for Friendsgivining. So one recipe is good for a few events! See below for storing instructions. Also try my Brownie Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients Needed
Almond Bark. Found in the baking aisle at all grocery stores. Gives the Crockpot Christmas "crack" a nice buttery flavor and makes it easy to bite through.
German baking Chocolate. found in the baking aisle in all grocery stores. This is a dark chocolate bar that melts beautifully in the crockpot. It's typically sold by the brand called "Bakers".
Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips. You may also use milk chocolate but I prefer semi sweet they help to harden the candy a bit after baking it in the crockpot. They will hold their form in room temperature once they cool.
Peanuts. Shelled, I prefer salted and roasted. The salt is so great with the candy.
Christmas Sprinkles. You will have a lot of candies out of this recipe so feel free to you sprinkles, m &ms or any other festive small candy of choice to top the crockpot Christmas crack with.
Steps To Make Crockpot Peanut Clusters
Step One. chop the almond bark and german chocolate baking bar up into pieces. Lightly coat your crockpot and set it to high. Add all chocolate, almond bark, semi sweet chips, german chocolate to the crockpot. Place a paper towel, or clean dish towel over the crockpot then place the lid over that. This is to prevent any extra moisture from falling in. Cook for about 45 min.
Step Two. After 45 minutes carefully take the lid and towel off and turn the crockpot to low. Stir the chocolate mixture carefully. Replace the towel and lid and cook for another 45 minutes. Be sure to check back and stir a few times throughout that 45 minutes. Then, once it's mostly smooth and blended, add in the peanuts and stir well.
Step Three. You will need about 3 cooking sheets for all the candy or a flat surface where they can cool unbothered. Cover cookie sheet or surface with parchment paper. Pour sprinkles into a bowl and grab a tablespoon size spoon. Scoop mixture out and make little mounds of candy about 1 inch apart from one another. Once you have the sheet filled with chocolate candy, sprinkle with sprinkles and move to the next empty cookie sheet. I recommend refrigerating flat in the fridge if you have room, or the garage works well for us here in Colorado since it's cold this time of year.
If you only have one cookies sheet you can use cutting boards instead.
Recipe FAQ's
no, m&ms work great, or you can add edible confetti or gold sprinkles.
Yes, as long as they are completely shelled.
In a bag once they have solidified. keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze them for up to 3 months. You can keep them on the counter as well for a few days if you'd like. They stay solid.
No, not if they are refrigerated or sitting on the counter at room temp. The frozen once may need to warm up slightly to have a softer texture.
No, they taste like a milk chocolate treat with a slightly less sugary flavor.
Other Recipes To Try
If you loved this recipe let me know! Also, follow me on Instagram & Pinterest for even more fun recipes to make you feel good from the inside out. Thanks for being here!
Crockpot Peanut Clusters
Equipment
- crockpot
Ingredients
- 1 lb white almond bark (might be labeled as white candy coating) chopped
- 12 oz bag semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 4oz bar German sweet chocolate Bakers brand, chopped
- 32 oz dry salted, roasted peanuts
- ¼ cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- chop the almond bark and german chocolate baking bar up into pieces. Lightly coat your crockpot and set it to high. Add all chocolate, almond bark, semi sweet chips, german chocolate to the crockpot. Place a paper towel, or clean dish towel over the crockpot then place the lid over that. This is to prevent any extra moisture from falling in. Cook for about 45 min.
- After 45 minutes carefully take the lid and towel off and turn the crockpot to low. Stir the chocolate mixture carefully. Replace the towel and lid and cook for another 45 minutes. Be sure to check back and stir a few times throughout that 45 minutes. Then, once it's mostly smooth and blended, add in the peanuts and stir well.
- You will need about 3 cooking sheets for all the candy or a flat surface where they can cool unbothered. Cover cookie sheet or surface with parchment paper. Pour sprinkles into a bowl and grab a tablespoon size spoon. Scoop mixture out and make little mounds of candy about 1 inch apart from one another. Once you have the sheet filled with chocolate candy, sprinkle with sprinkles and move to the next empty cookie sheet. I recommend refrigerating flat in the fridge if you have room, or the garage works well for us here in Colorado since it's cold this time of year.
- You may also use cutting boars covered in parchment if needed!
- Once they have solidified, carefully place them in zip lock bags and either freeze, leave in a bowl on the counter if enjoying that day or week or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Gwen Drews
We loved this recipe I cannot believe it was all meat in the crockpot. genius idea.
Mary
I just made the Valentine’s Day version you posted on Instagram they were really easy to make and very delicious I added quite a bit more of the white chocolate to mine because I love it.
Mary Beth
Made these for valentines! So easy and incredibly tasty!!
Bailey
So happy to hear that! Enjoy them
Claudia C.
Can I place the mixture in cupcake linear before putting them in refrigerator??
Bailey
Yes that would be lovely I may try that what a great idea