Crockpot Candy {Chocolate Peanut Clusters}
Easy homemade crockpot candy (chocolate peanut clusters) recipe that’s full of white chocolate, semisweet chocolate, peanut butter, salted peanuts and sprinkles.
Yes, you can make candy in a slow cooker! It’s not only possible, it’s delicious and it makes the perfect homemade gift for the Christmas holidays. There isn’t much that beats this heavenly chocolate peanut combination. Need more inspiration for edible holiday gifts? Then, try this Peanut Butter Chocolate Bark, Peanut Butter Fudge, or these Buckeyes (Peanut Butter Balls). They are all decadent.
How To Make Crockpot Candy Recipe From Scratch?
- Add ingredients to slow cooker– This includes almond barks, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and peanuts.
- Mix– Until roughly combined.
- Cover- And cook.
- Stir– Halfway through.
- Cover- And cook again.
- Stir again– Until chocolate is fully melted.
- Make clusters– Drop spoonfuls onto a cookie tray, lined with wax paper.
- Let chocolate set- At room temperature.
Variations For Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Add some caramel– For a sweeter taste and chewy texture.
Add mini marshmallows– Make sure to stir the marshmallows in at the very end when mixture is not too hot because otherwise they will melt too much and lose their shape.
Other topping options– I used sprinkles but you can try roughly chopped nuts, pretzels, Oreos or shredded coconut.
Add extracts and zests– Such as orange or lemon zest or vanilla, maple, orange, mint, or bourbon extracts.
Try other nuts– Replace peanuts with cashews, pecans, walnuts, pistachios or almonds.
Try another nut butter– Instead of peanut butter, try cashew, almond, or sunflower butter.
Add dried fruits– Such as dried cherries, mangoes, apricots, blueberries, raisins, cranberries.
Make with just white chocolate– For a sweeter and different visual presentation.
Make with dark chocolate– For a less sweet version and an intense chocolate flavor.
Add peanut butter chips– For a stronger peanut flavor and a lighter color.
Tips And Techniques For Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy
Setting time– The addition of peanut butter to these candies causes the setting time to increase. If you want to speed up the setting process, then refrigerate them. Otherwise cool them for a minimum of 2 hours at room temperature.
Make in the microwave instead– Melt chocolate and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl, making sure to stir every 30-60 seconds to prevent the chocolate from burning. Then stir in the peanuts, make clusters, and cool.
Don’t cook on high– Because cooking on High will burn the chocolate, and that does not taste good.
Make sure to stir halfway through– Because this allows for even melting and mixing of all the ingredients.
Salted peanuts Vs. Unsalted peanuts– Roasted salted peanuts are my first choice because they create a lovely sweet and salty flavor combo.
What size crockpot to use? I recommend a 5 or 6 quart crockpot or larger for best results.
How long does it take for chocolate to melt in slow cooker/crockpot? It will take 1.5-2 hours total for the chocolate to melt depending on how hot your crockpot gets.
Use a liner in the crockpot– For easy clean-up, and you will save so much time.
Break up the bark– It cannot be put in whole. It must be broken up in order to melt evenly.
Line tray with wax paper– To prevent the candy from sticking to the tray.
Almond bark vs. Chocolate bars– I highly recommend using almond bark because it sets better and firmer than melted chocolate bars.
Storage
Refrigerate– In a sealed container for 5 days.
Room temperature- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container for 5-7 days.
Freeze– In a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Eat frozen or thaw to room temperature.
More Candy Recipes
- Jelly Marshmallow Candy (Pinwheels)
- Christmas Candy Cones
- DIY Golden Snitch Truffles (Harry Potter)
- Oreo Truffles (Oreo Balls)
- How To Make Cake Truffles {With Cake Mix)
- How To Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- How To Make Chocolate Bark
- How To Make Chocolate Fudge {3 Ingredients}
- White Chocolate Bark
- How To Make Microwave Peanut Brittle
- Homemade Gourmet Chocolate
Crockpot Candy (Chocolate Peanut Clusters)
Ingredients
- 1 packet Chocolate almond bark, 1 pound packet, Broken up
- 1 packet White chocolate almond bark, 1 pound packet, Broken up
- 2 cups Chocolate chips, Semisweet
- 1 cup Peanut butter
- 3 cups Salted peanuts
- 2-3 tbsp Sprinkles, Optional
Instructions
- Add both almond barks, chocolate chips, peanut butter, peanuts in a slow cooker (5 or 6 quart).
- Mix to roughly combine everything.
- Cover and cook on Low heat for 1 hour.
- Then, stir everything together.
- Cover and cook again on Low heat for another 30 minutes- 1 hour.
- Stir again until chocolate is fully melted and mixture is smooth.
- Drop candy mixture by spoonfuls onto a few cookie trays, lined with wax paper.
- Optional: Toss some sprinkles on top.
- Allow these chocolate clusters to set and harden at room temperature for about 2 hours. Refrigerating them will obviously speed up the process. Enjoy!
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container at room temperature or fridge for 5-7 days.
