These easy Crockpot Candy Clusters bring together salted peanuts, white almond bark, and semi-sweet chocolate, seamlessly melted and blended in the convenience of your slow cooker. It’s the perfect easy candy recipe for the holiday season.
As you know, I’m all about keeping things simple, especially around the holidays, and this crockpot candy is my go-to easy recipe. This great recipe uses simple ingredients and takes me just 10 minutes to throw together. The end result is this sweet treat that’s hard to resist. Plus, it makes for the perfect homemade gift for this time of year – because who doesn’t appreciate a bit of effortless deliciousness during the festive season?
Ingredients for the Easy Crockpot Candy Clusters
- Dry roasted, salted peanuts – Add a satisfying crunch and subtle saltiness to the candy clusters.
- White almond bark – Contributes a creamy texture and a subtle vanilla flavor, providing a smooth and velvety base for the clusters. Almond bark can be found in the baking aisle at the grocery store.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – Brings classic chocolatey richness to complement the peanuts and almond bark.
- Sprinkles (optional) – If you’re feeling festive, throw in some sprinkles for a playful touch. They add a pop of color and a slight crunch, making each bite a delightful experience.
Making the Easy Crockpot Candy Clusters
- Prep work – Begin by lining four large cookie sheets with parchment or wax paper, creating a clean and ready workspace for your candy-making adventure.
- Peanut base – In a 5-quart or larger crockpot, evenly sprinkle a layer of dry roasted, salted peanuts at the bottom.
- Layered ingredients – Add broken pieces of white almond bark and semi-sweet chocolate chips on top of the peanuts. Avoid mixing at this stage.
- Initial cooking – Cover the crockpot with the lid and let it cook on low heat for the first hour without stirring.
- Thorough mixing – After the initial hour, mix the peanuts and chocolate well with a wooden spoon. Continue cooking for another hour, mixing every 20 minutes.
- Cluster formation – Drop heaped tablespoons of the chocolate mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. I like using a small cookie scoop with a quick-release slider. Top with sprinkles if using.
- Chill time – Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes or until the chocolate is set. Your crockpot candy clusters are ready to enjoy or share.
Variations and substitutions
Chocolate twist – Swap out the semi-sweet chocolate chips with bittersweet or dark chocolate chips for a more intense flavor. You can make the candies sweeter by substituting the semi-sweet chocolate with a chopped German chocolate bar. I don’t recommend using milk chocolate chips as it will be too sweet.
Flavor variations – Customize your Crockpot Candy Clusters by introducing different add-ins. Add a burst of sweetness by adding 1 cup of peanut butter chips, create a delightful toffee crunch with 1 cup of toffee bits, or infuse a playful twist with 2 cups of mini marshmallows.
Reduce the salt – If you’re watching your salt intake, opt for unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts. Alternatively, create a balanced blend by using a combination of one container of salted and one container of unsalted peanuts. Dry roasted peanuts usually come in 16-ounce containers, making them easy to measure.
Nut medley – Experiment with different nuts, such as almonds, cashews, or pistachios, for a diverse cluster of flavors and textures.
Fruity infusion – Add a burst of fruity goodness by incorporating dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, or chopped apricots into the mix. If adding dry fruit, wait until the last 20 minutes to add them so they maintain their texture.
Spice it up – Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cayenne pepper into the melted chocolate mixture for a hint of warmth.
Salty and sweet – Sprinkle a touch of sea salt over the clusters just before they set for a delightful sweet-and-salty contrast.
Tips for success
- Gentle mixing – When it comes to stirring the peanuts and chocolate, mix gently to avoid crushing the peanuts. This helps maintain a desirable texture in your candy clusters.
- Mind the moisture – When stirring the mixture during the cooking process, be cautious to prevent condensation from falling from the lid into the crockpot. Water getting into the chocolate can cause it to seize, altering the texture and consistency of your candy clusters.
- Add sprinkles quickly – If you’re adding sprinkles for that extra pop of color and crunch, make sure to do so while the chocolate is still wet. Adding them promptly ensures they adhere well to the clusters. Once the chocolate sets, it becomes more challenging for the sprinkles to stick.
- Almond bark alternatives – White melting wafers or candy melts are a good substitution for almond bark, ensuring a smooth texture. Avoid using white chocolate chips, as they don’t set as well as almond bark or melting wafers.
- Quality ingredients – Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Opt for fresh nuts, good-quality chocolate, and reliable brands of almond bark or melting wafers.
- Exercise patience – Allow the candy clusters to fully set in the refrigerator for the specified time. This patience ensures a firm and satisfying texture, making them easier to handle and enjoy.
- Perfect gift presentation – If you plan to gift these delightful candy clusters, consider packaging them in decorative boxes, jars, or festive containers. Presentation matters and a thoughtfully wrapped batch makes for an impressive and delicious gift.
Storage
Store in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool place for up to two weeks or in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. I recommend placing a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between layers if you have to stack the candies; this will prevent them from sticking to each other.
The candies can be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months. Wait for the candies to set completely before transferring them to an airtight container or freeze bag to freeze.
Easy Crockpot Candy Clusters FAQs
Yes! For a stovetop version, create a double boiler by placing a heatproof bowl over simmering water, ensuring the water is not touching the bottom of the bowl. Melt the white almond bark and semi-sweet chocolate chips in the bowl, stirring frequently. Mix in dry roasted, salted peanuts until coated, then drop spoonfuls onto parchment-lined sheets. Chill in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes until the chocolate sets.
For a nut-free version of these chocolate clusters, swap out the dry roasted, salted peanuts with alternatives like pretzels, crispy rice cereal, or plain popcorn. This modification ensures a delightful and crunchy treat without the use of nuts, allowing you to enjoy the sweet goodness worry-free.
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Easy Crockpot Candy Clusters
Ingredients
- 32 ounces dry roasted salted peanuts about 6 cups
- 32 ounces white almond bark broken into pieces, 1 ⅓ packages
- 18 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips about 2 ¼ cups or 1 ½ packages
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Line four large cookie sheets with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
- Sprinkle the peanuts in an even layer in the bottom of a 5 quart or larger crockpot.
- Top with the almond bark and chocolate chips. Do not mix.
- Cover the pot with the lid and cook on low for one hour without stirring.
- After an hour, mix the peanuts and chocolate well. Continue to cook for another hour, mixing well every 20 minutes.
- Drop heaped tablespoons of the chocolate mixture onto the parchment-lined baking sheets. Top with sprinkles if using.
- Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes or until the chocolate is set.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks or in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. I recommend placing a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between layers if you have to stack the candies; this will prevent them from sticking to each other.
- The candies can be frozen for up to three months. Wait for the candies to set completely before transferring them to an airtight container or freeze bag to freeze.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.
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