Crock Pot Candy is incredibly easy to make in your slow cooker. These delicious chocolate peanut clusters are perfect for serving at Christmas gatherings or making homemade gifts.
It’s time to get jolly! One of the best things about the holiday season is homemade candy. This crockpot peanut candy is amazing, and always a hit no matter when or where you serve it.
Creamy chocolate and crunchy peanuts topped with festive sprinkles make a crave-worthy dessert or gift. They look wonderful on holiday cookie trays or in a tin for family, neighbors, or co-workers.
If you’re a fan of chocolate and peanuts, try these irresistible Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cracker Cookies!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
There are only 5 main ingredients, plus a fun topping needed to make Crock Pot Candy.
peanuts – salted and unsalted
semisweet chocolate chips
German’s® chocolate baking bar
peanut butter chips – optional, but add a nice dimension to the candy.
white almond bark – also known as vanilla-flavored candy coating
sprinkles – for a festive topping
NOTE: Instead of peanuts, you can also use almonds, cashews, or pecans (or a combo).
What is Almond Bark?
Almond bark (also known as vanilla-flavored candy coating) is a chocolate-like confection made with vegetable fats (which helps your candy have a shiny, non-cloudy exterior) instead of cocoa butter and with coloring and flavors added.
You can buy it in packages, blocks, or round discs. You can usually find them in the baking aisle of supermarkets or at Walmart.
Almond bark not only adds great flavor, but it plays a big part in helping the candies set up and harden.
Funny how that ‘almond bark’ doesn’t actually have any almonds in it!
What is a German’s Chocolate Bar?
According to JoyofBaking.com, German’s® Sweet Chocolate is dark baking chocolate created by the Walter Baker & Company employee, Samuel German (hence the name), who developed the chocolate in 1852.
German thought this type of chocolate would be convenient for bakers as the sugar is already added to it. It is sweeter than semi-sweet chocolate and contains a blend of chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, flavorings, and lecithin.
It can be found in the baking aisle in most grocery stores.
How to Make – Step By Step Instructions
- ADD INGREDIENTS TO CROCK POT – Add peanuts and then chocolate chips, German chocolate, peanut butter chips, and almond bark to the crock pot.
- COOK – Place the lid on the crock pot and cook for 2 hours on low.
- STIR – Remove the lid and stir well.
- MAKE CLUSTERS – Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, use a cookie scoop to place spoonfuls of mixture on the baking sheet.
- TOP WITH SPRINKLES – While still warm, top your crockpot candy with festive sprinkles.
- LET HARDEN – Refrigerate the chocolate clusters for 20 minutes or until fully set.
Add-In Ideas
We love this slow cooker candy as is, but if you’d like to add in other ingredients for a flavor profile or texture, try one, or a combination, of the following:
- pretzel pieces
- pistachio nuts
- coconut flakes
- mini marshmallows
What if You’re Allergic To Nuts?
Readers shared these suggestions if you need to make your Crock Pot Chocolate Candy without nuts.
- Raisins
- Rice Krispies
- Coconut Flakes
- Pumpkin Seeds
Crock Pot Candy Tips & Tricks
- We love the flavor the peanut butter chips add to the chocolate, but you can omit them if needed.
- You can use white/vanilla candy melts in place of the white almond bark (vanilla-flavored candy coating).
- A cookie scoop works well to make evenly proportioned clusters, but you can also use a large spoon.
- Depending on how big your candy clusters are, you’ll get 70-90 pieces.
- If you’re topping your clusters with holiday sprinkles, don’t scoop more than 8 – 10 pieces before going back and adding the sprinkles. Adding them while the clusters are still soft is important, or the sprinkles won’t stick. You can also leave them off if you want plain candy.
- If you’re short on time and have space, pop the peanut clusters in the refrigerator to cool them quickly.
How to Store
To Store – if your house doesn’t get too hot, store your Christmas Crock Pot Candy in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 weeks. Keeping them in the refrigerator, they will last longer (about 3 weeks).
To Freeze – make sure your candy is fully set, and then flash freeze on the baking tray (freeze individually). Don’t forget to label and date! Once frozen, place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze them for 3 – 6 months.
Supplies Needed
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- 6-quart Crock Pot – a kitchen workhouse you’ll have for years.
- Parchment Paper
- Baking Sheet
- Cookie Scoop – great for making evenly propotioned cookies of muffins.
- Holiday Gift Boxes
More Christmas Candy Recipes
Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Christmas Crack
Homemade Almond Roca Candy
Reindeer Chow
Peanut Butter Christmas Crack
Cranberry Bliss Saltine Toffee
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Crock Pot Candy Recipe
Equipment
- 6-quart Crock Pot
- parchment paper
- cookie scoop
- Spatula or cooking spoon
Ingredients
- 1 16 ounce jar salted peanuts
- 1 16 ounce jar unsalted peanuts
- 1 12 ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 4 ounce bar German’s® chocolate baking bar
- 1/2 cup peanut butter chips
- 48 ounces white almond bark
- sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Add salted and unsalted peanuts and then chocolate chips, German chocolate bar, peanut butter chips, and almond bark to the crock pot.
- Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 2 hours.
- Remove the lid and stir well.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, use a cookie scoop or large spoon to place spoonfuls of mixture on the baking sheet.
- While still warm, top your crockpot candy with festive sprinkles. (optional)
- Refrigerate the chocolate clusters for 20 minutes or until fully set.
Notes
- We love the flavor the peanut butter chips add to the chocolate, but you can omit them if needed.
- You can use white/vanilla candy melts in place of the white almond bark (vanilla-flavored candy coating).
- A cookie scoop works well to make evenly proportioned clusters, but you can also use a large spoon.
- Depending on how big your candy clusters are, you’ll get 70-90 pieces.
- If you’re topping your clusters with holiday sprinkles, don’t scoop more than 8 – 10 pieces before going back and adding the sprinkles. Adding them while the clusters are still soft is essential, or the sprinkles won’t stick.
Nutrition
