Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Clusters

$- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips - 1 cup milk chocolate chips - 2 cups roasted peanuts (unsalted) - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/2 cup mini marshmallows (optional) - Sea salt for garnish (optional) To make delicious Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Clusters, you need a few simple ingredients. First, gather your chocolate chips. You'll want 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup of milk chocolate chips. Mixing these gives your clusters a rich taste. Next, grab 2 cups of roasted peanuts. Make sure they are unsalted, so the clusters do not get too salty. You will also need 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. This adds a lovely flavor that enhances your chocolate. If you like a little extra sweetness and texture, consider adding 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows. They are optional, but they do make the treat more fun! Finally, if you like a little contrast in flavor, have some sea salt on hand for garnish. These ingredients come together to create a sweet and crunchy snack. It's easy to find them at your local grocery store. So, gather them up, and get ready to make something tasty! {{ingredient_image_1}} - Combine 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup of milk chocolate chips in the crockpot. - Set the crockpot to low heat and let the chocolate melt slowly. - Stir occasionally for even melting, about 1 to 2 hours. - Once melted, add 2 cups of roasted peanuts and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the mixture. - If you want extra sweetness, fold in 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows. - Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop clusters onto a lined baking sheet. - For a nice touch, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of each cluster. To get smooth melted chocolate, always use low heat in your crockpot. This helps prevent the chocolate from burning. Stir the chocolate every 20 minutes. This keeps the heat even and helps it melt well. If you notice any lumps, keep stirring until the chocolate is silky smooth. Once your chocolate peanut clusters are set, use airtight containers for storage. This keeps them fresh and tasty. Store the clusters at room temperature. If you live in a hot area, you might want to keep them in the fridge to avoid melting. These clusters go great with milk or coffee. You can serve them as dessert or a sweet snack. For gatherings, arrange them on a nice plate. Add some fresh fruit or nuts for color. This makes the display more inviting and fun! Pro Tips Tip 1 - Use Quality Chocolate: The better the chocolate, the richer the flavor of your clusters. Opt for high-quality brands for the best results. Tip 2 - Prevent Burning: Stir the chocolate occasionally as it melts to prevent it from burning and ensure a smooth consistency. Tip 3 - Custom Mix-ins: Feel free to add your favorite nuts or dried fruits for a personal twist on these clusters. Tip 4 - Storage Tips: Store the clusters in an airtight container to keep them fresh. They can last up to two weeks at room temperature. {{image_2}} You can change up the flavor of these clusters in fun ways. Try using dark or white chocolate instead of semi-sweet and milk chocolate. Dark chocolate adds a rich taste, while white chocolate gives a sweet twist. You can also mix in dried fruit or nuts. Dried cranberries or cherries add a chewy texture. Almonds or cashews can bring a nice crunch. If you need gluten-free options, these clusters are perfect. All the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just ensure that the chocolate chips you buy are labeled gluten-free. For a vegan version, swap the chocolate chips with dairy-free ones. You can also skip the mini marshmallows or use vegan ones. You can make these clusters festive by adding holiday-themed flavors. During winter, try mixing in crushed peppermint or caramel bits. This gives a fun twist for gift-giving or parties. For special occasions, you can add toppings like sprinkles, crushed nuts, or even a drizzle of colored chocolate for a pop of color. Keep your chocolate peanut clusters in an airtight container. They stay fresh at room temperature for about one week. If you want them to last longer, store them in the fridge. They can stay fresh there for up to two weeks. Just remember, the cold can change their texture a bit. To freeze your chocolate clusters, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once they freeze solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They can last in the freezer for up to three months. When you want to enjoy them, take out the clusters and let them thaw in the fridge. This keeps them from melting too fast and helps them keep their shape. Check your clusters for any signs that they are no longer fresh. Look for a dull or white coating, which can mean they have bloomed. Smell them too—if they have an odd odor, it’s best to toss them. Also, if the clusters feel sticky or soft, they might not be good anymore. To make these yummy clusters, follow these simple steps: - In your crockpot, mix together 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup of milk chocolate chips. - Set the crockpot to low heat. Let the chocolate melt slowly for 1 to 2 hours. Stir it often to help it melt evenly. - When the chocolate is smooth, add 2 cups of roasted peanuts and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. If you want, you can fold in 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows for extra sweetness. - Mix everything well so the peanuts get coated in chocolate. - Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop clusters onto a lined baking sheet. - If you like, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on each cluster for some extra flavor. - Let the clusters cool at room temperature until they harden. You can also put them in the fridge to set faster. - Once set, take the clusters off the baking sheet. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Yes, you can! Feel free to swap out the peanuts for other nuts. Some great options are: - Almonds - Cashews - Pecans - Walnuts Make sure to chop larger nuts into smaller pieces. This helps them mix well with the chocolate. You might need to adjust the amount based on the nut type, so keep an eye on how it looks. The time it takes for the clusters to set depends on where you leave them. - At room temperature, they usually take about 30 to 60 minutes to harden. - If you place them in the refrigerator, they can set in about 15 to 30 minutes. Check them often to see if they are firm. Once they are set, you can enjoy your delicious treats! In this blog post, we explored how to make delicious Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Clusters. You learned the required ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips for perfect chocolate melting and storage. The options for variations, like different chocolates and dietary modifications, give you many creative ways to customize your treat. Making these clusters is easy and fun. Enjoy them at gatherings or as a sweet snack at home. Happy cooking!$

Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Delicious chocolate clusters made with peanuts, perfect for a sweet treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 2

Total Time 2 30

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24

Ingredients

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
2 cups roasted peanuts (unsalted)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
0.5 cup mini marshmallows (optional)
none Sea salt for garnish (optional)

Instructions

In a crockpot, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips.
Set the crockpot to low heat and let the chocolate melt slowly, stirring occasionally to ensure even melting, for about 1-2 hours.
Once the chocolate is fully melted and smooth, add the roasted peanuts and vanilla extract to the crockpot. If using mini marshmallows, fold them in at this point for added texture and sweetness.
Stir everything together until the peanuts are well coated with the chocolate mixture.
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop clusters of the mixture onto a lined baking sheet.
If desired, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of each cluster for a touch of flavor contrast.
Let the clusters cool at room temperature until they harden, or place them in the refrigerator for faster setting.
Once set, carefully remove the clusters from the baking sheet and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

Optional mini marshmallows and sea salt can enhance flavor and texture.

Keyword chocolate, clusters, crockpot, peanuts