Slow Cooker Peanut Clusters
Are you ready for Christmas baking? December is absolutely my favorite time of the year, and I love nothing more than baking Christmas cookies and goodies. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without the classics and a few other new finds sprinkled in for good measure. While I love eating nut clusters, I had never actually made them myself; once I saw this insanely easy slow cooker recipe, it was only a matter of time!
My aunt shared this recipe on her Facebook page and I immediately saved the link. Two types of peanuts, two types of chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, AND you can make it in a slow cooker? I was immediately sold, and I think you will be, too.
It took me literally five minutes to make this. Everything gets dumped into the slow cooker, cover, turn on low, and let it go for 2 hours. At that point, it’s likely that everything will be melted (mine was), but if you need more time, an additional 30 minutes should be all you need. I experimented with scooping the nut clusters out in a variety of ways – with a large spoon, with a medium cookie scoop, and then I just poured the mixture into a parchment-lined pan and broke it into pieces. My verdict? I liked the clusters scooped with a cookie scoop the best – they were the most uniform and by far the most pleasing to the eye, which is important when it comes to Christmas cookie trays, right?! :)
While I am immensely partial to peanuts, you could absolutely make this with any type of nut you like, or a combination of them. My father-in-law even suggested skipping the nuts and using coconut for coconut clusters. There are tons of possibilities, and these little clusters would make fantastic holiday gifts – just place in a clear cellophane bag and tie with a pretty ribbon!
Watch How to Make Crock Pot Peanut Clusters:
Slow Cooker Chocolate-Covered Peanut Clusters
Ingredients
- 16 ounces (453.59 g) unsalted peanuts, or dry roasted peanuts
- 16 ounces (453.59 g) salted cocktail peanuts
- 12 ounces (340.2 g) semisweet chocolate chips
- 12 ounces (340.2 g) milk chocolate chips
- 20 ounces (566.99 g) peanut butter chips
- 32 ounces (907.19 g) white almond bark or vanilla candy melts
Instructions
- Layer all of the ingredients in order in a 6-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours. [NOTE: While I have made this multiple times without an issue, it seems that many people have experienced the ingredients burning. I would recommend stirring all of the ingredients together and checking on it and stirring every 30 minutes to avoid an issue.]
- Remove the lid and stir to combine. If not all of the chocolate is melted, cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes on low.
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, scoop mounds of the clusters onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Allow to sit at room temperature until completely set, 1 to 2 hours. The clusters can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. They also freeze very well!
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
In addition to the listed ingredients, I added crushed Heath bars and butterscotch chips. everyone loved these clusters!
I made this for Christmas gifts and they were FABULOUS!!! They were easy to make and I put them in small muffin cups and they were beautiful! Make your life easy and impress your gift receivers! I will obviously make them again!
Super easy and so delicious – the neighbors thought I spent all day! I had no problem with burning but mine were totally melted in an hour 15 minutes.
Make this recipe every Christmas and always a hit
I made these today, for the Holidays. I cooked it on WARM, instead of LOW and it started to burn, less than 2 hours. My crock pot is very new, so that may be the culprit. I just removed the burnt part and stirred the rest; it was done! Delicious, smooth, not too sweet….just right.