Chocolate Peanut Clusters
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These chocolate peanut clusters are an easy no bake treat perfect for the holidays or when you get a chocolate craving last minute! Makes for a perfect holiday gift!
As much as I love a really good chocolate layer cake, or a fancy dessert like a Tiramisu, there’s nothing better than an easy no bake treat for when a chocolate craving hits.
And at the end of every night my husband and I always need a little sweet treat after dinner. Now there’s never a shortage of treats in this house, but we tend to gravitate something small we can nibble on. So when I made these chocolate peanut clusters in the microwave, my husband was in heaven to say the least. They are the perfect salty sweet combo we couldn’t resist.
And did they last long? No, no they did not.
These chocolate peanut clusters are similar to my Christmas crockpot candy I make around the holidays with peanut butter chips and almond bark, but this three ingredient chocolate peanut clusters recipe is made in the microwave and couldn’t be simpler.
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- Want to know more about quick breads? Then read this article “What’s quick bread“? and learn more!
Why you will also love these chocolate peanut clusters
- Can be made in microwave in minutes – Just simply melt the chocolate and stir in your peanuts for a quick treat.
- Make a great gift – These are wonderful Christmas candy for a dessert board, or to gift to someone.
- Easily customizable – I used semi sweet chocolate chips and salted peanuts but you can any kind of chocolate chip or use a different nut to make fun variations all year!
Ingredients Needed
- Chocolate – I used semi sweet dark chocolate chips for these chocolate peanuts clusters, but you can use white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, almond bark, or even butterscotch chips or peanut butter chips for a whole new fun flavor!
- Salted peanuts – I used dry roasted peanuts that were lightly salted, but feel free to use a different nut like almonds, pecans, or walnuts. You can also use unsalted peanuts, if you want to reduce the salt in the recipe.
- Salt – I used coarse sea salt to sprinkle on top. I think this ingredient is key to the salty sweet combo of these chocolate peanut clusters.
HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE PEANUT CLUSTERS
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or a silicone baking mat).
If using chocolate bars, then chop the chocolate into fine pieces. Or use chocolate chips, which is what I used. One 12-ounce bag of chocolate chips is perfect for this chocolate peanut clusters recipe.
In a double boiler, or heat proof bowl set over a saucepan with a few inches of simmering water, melt the chocolate chips. You can also melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals stirring in between each interval.
Once the chocolate is completely melted, with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the salted peanuts into the melted chocolate until combined.
Using a small cookie scoop, drop scoopfuls onto the prepared baking sheet.
Sprinkle with sea salt.
Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator until the chocolate sets.
Recipe Variations
- Use mini cupcake liners – Instead of scooping onto parchment paper, you can use mini cupcake liners and scoop the melted chocolate mixture into cupcake liners for a portable treat.
- Use a different chocolate – Instead of semi sweet chocolate chips, use dark chocolate chips, almond bark, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, milk chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips. Or try a combination of chocolate chips!
- Make in slow cooker – You might like my Christmas crockpot candy recipe which is similar! If you are making this recipe in a slow cooker, you will want to set on low for 1-2 hours and stirring after the first hour so the chocolate doesn’t burn.
- Add toffee bits – Stir in toffee bits with the salted peanuts for a sweet crunch to these chocolate peanut clusters!
Recipe Tips
- Stir chocolate to avoid burning – When melting chocolate in the microwave, it’s important to melt in 30-second intervals and stirring in between to ensure the chocolate doesn’t burn.
- Use parchment paper – Or wax paper. This will help the peanut clusters not stick as they cool.
- Use a cookie scoop – So each cluster is the same size.
Recipe FAQs
These chocolate peanut clusters will last an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.ย
Yes you can freeze peanut clusters as well. These will keep for months as long as they are covered. Thaw chocolate peanut clusters slightly before enjoying.
Yes you can make these chocolate peanut clusters in the crockpot – cook on low for 1-2 hours and stir halfway through cooking. Or try my crockpot candy recipe!
Other Delicious Christmas Candy
Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Ingredients
- 12 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate
- 1 ยฝ cups dry roasted salted peanuts
- Flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or a silicone baking mat).
- Chop the chocolate into fine pieces and place into a large microwave-safe bowl. You can also use chocolate chips.
- In a double boiler, or heat proof bowl set over a saucepan with a few inches of simmering water, melt the chopped chocolate. You can also melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals stirring in between each interval.
- Once the chocolate is fully melted, with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the peanuts until combined.
- Using a small cookie scoop, drop scoopfuls onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt.
- Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator until the chocolate sets. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Storage: These chocolate peanut clusters will last an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.ย
- Freezing: Yes you can freeze peanut clusters as well. These will keep for months as long as they are covered. Thaw chocolate peanut clusters slightly before enjoying.
- Crockpot: Yes you can make these chocolate peanut clusters in the crockpot. Heat on low for 1-2 hours, stirring half way through cooking. Or try my crockpot candy recipe.
- Use quality chocolate. I prefer to use chocolate bars (Ghiradelli is my preferred) but chocolate chips will also work, but they may take longer to melt.
- Salt: The flaky salt can be omitted.
- Chocolate: Swap out the chocolate for white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or butterscotch chips, or drizzle with white chocolate instead of the salt.ย
