These Chocolate Peanut Clusters are made in a crockpot. In less than 90 minutes, you’ll be enjoying this tasty and easy treat!
Some of the women at my work and I are always talking about food, drinks and easy recipes. One of my friends gave me this recipe for Chocolate Peanut Clusters and I just made them this past weekend. As she had told me, they are so easy to make and are really tasty! Keep them plain or add some holiday sprinkles/nonpareils and make them for any holiday. With Valentine’s Day (my daughter Emma’s 16th birthday) just around the corner, I decided to make them for her and I added some Valentine’s Day nonpareils. Not only are they really cute but they have a rich, velvety, chocolatey taste combined with the salt and crunch from the peanuts. Seriously yummy!
What ingredients are used in Chocolate Peanut Clusters?
So as the name says, there are two ingredients used in this recipe: chocolate and peanuts!
- Chocolate: Use your favorite chocolate for this recipe. I used a combination of semi-sweet chocolate chips and vanilla chips and the flavor is rich, creamy and works great with the salty peanuts. However, use dark, milk or whatever combination of chocolate chips you like best.
- Peanuts: Use your favorite nuts for this recipe. I used a combination of unsalted and salted peanuts. However, you can change up the nuts and use walnuts, pecans, cashews or use a combination of them all! There’s no wrong way to mix it up.
How to package these treats up to give as a gift
These Chocolate Peanut Clusters make a tasty homemade gift. Package them up in any of the following ways.
- Cellophane bags: Use cute holiday cellophane bags and add a bow and gift tag.
- Wrappers and tins: Place them in holiday wrappers and arrange them in tins.
- Boxes: Put them in little, festive boxes.
No matter how you wrap them up, they will make a great homemade gift. In addition, make them for a holiday cookie exchange or add them to any cookie platter!
How long do Chocolate Peanut Clusters last?
These Chocolate Peanut Clusters will last up to 3 months if kept in an airtight container or tin, in a cool place. You can refrigerate them to ensure optimal freshness. Avoid storing them in warm spots or in direct sunlight as the chocolate may melt and the clusters may start to disfigure or fall apart. Freeze them for up to 6 months. Place them in an airtight container with wax paper between each layer.
10 interesting facts about peanuts
- National Peanut Cluster Day is celebrated on March 8.
- Peanuts are one of the top 10 crops in the U.S. coming in at #7.
- 5 of the top 10 most loved candies are peanut based.
- Peanuts are loaded with protein, fat, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
- In 1912, Howard Campbell invented the first GooGoo Candy Cluster at the Standard Candy Company at Clark & First Avenue in Nashville, TN. This candy cluster consisted of caramel, marshmallow, and roasted peanuts, hand-dipped in milk chocolate.
- In 1930, American inventor Elmo Lanzi patented a Chocolate Peanut Cluster Dipping Machine.
- Peanut clusters refer to peanuts combined with melted chocolate.
- The peanut cluster is one of America’s oldest candy treats.
- Introducing a small amount of peanuts into a child’s diet at an early age can reduce the possibility of developing nut allergies.
- Peanut crops have a farm value of 1 billion U.S. dollars.
Chocolate Peanut Cluster-Ingredients
- 2 cups salted peanuts
- 2 cups unsalted peanuts
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups vanilla chips
Instructions
- Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Add semi-sweet chocolate chips and vanilla chips to a crockpot/slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 30 minutes. Stir chocolate until smooth.
- Add salted and unsalted peanuts and stir until combined and coated.
- Cover and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes.
- Use a 1-2 inch cookie scoop or a tablespoon and drop a spoonful of the mixture onto parchment paper. Repeat until mixture is gone. Optional: Add your favorite holiday nonpareils for a festive look.
- Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set.
- Remove from refrigerator and bring to room temperature.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Stored covered at room temperature or place in the refrigerator in a tin or airtight container. To freeze, place in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Place wax paper between layers.
For other easy sweet treats try:
Easy No-Bake Flower Pretzel Bites
Quick Chocolate Covered Strawberries
White Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Equipment
- Crockpot/Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 cups salted peanuts
- 2 cups unsalted peanuts
- 2 cups sermi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups vanilla chips
Instructions
- Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Add semi-sweet chocolate chips and vanilla chips to a crockpot/slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 30 minutes. Stir chocolate until smooth.
- Add salted and unsalted peanuts and stir until combined and coated.
- Cover and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes.
- Use a 1-2 inch cookie scoop or a tablespoon and drop a spoonful of the mixture onto parchment paper. Repeat until mixture is gone. Optional: Add your favorite holiday nonpareils for a festive look.
- Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set.
- Remove from refrigerator and bring to room temperature.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Stored covered at room temperature or place in the refrigerator in a tin. To freeze, place in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Place wax paper between layers.
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