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A family favorite for years, you will absolutely love these triple chocolate peanut clusters! Perfect for holiday gift giving, it's guaranteed to make you the new neighborhood favorite! I've adapted the recipe my mom has used for over 40 years! It's a classic recipe that never goes out of style! I've simplified it but still use 3 different chocolates for that depth of flavor you are looking for when devouring peanut clusters! The best part?? The cluster recipe cooks in under 15 minutes on the stove top, so no more waiting hours on the slow cooker!
Old Fashioned Chocolate Peanut Clusters
This post originally appeared in December 7, 2014 but it's so good I wanted to make sure you didn't miss it!
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—want the recipe right now? simply scroll straight to the bottom!—
Wow guys! Can you believe this brilliant blog hop! We’ve got sweets and treats to satisfy every craving! I’m so excited to be participating with so many talented bloggers. I’m drooling just looking at these! Talk about fabulous! Be sure to check out all the recipes down at the bottom of this post!
As a family, we give lots of baked goods to neighbors, teachers and friends. We are always looking for more holiday recipes, more sweets & treats! For me, I’m all about a treat that is packed full of flavor, but is simple to make. Things are so hectic around here that I can't be spending ALL day in the kitchen, even if I wanted to!
These Triple Chocolate Peanut Clusters have been in my family for as long as I remember and are always a hit at a party. The best part --- they are so so so so stinkin’ easy to make. Never made candy before? No worries! Most the time, a candy recipe calls for a candy thermometer or double broilers or other complicated cooking items. Not these! You will not believe how simple they are. Well, there is one hard part. Waiting for them to cool and harden before you eat them! Don’t worry, I give you permission to lick the pan!
I've seen others taught the benefits of a slow cooker, and by all means, if you want to use your Crockpot, I'm sure this recipe would work. The number one reason I've seen is because it's too complicated to do on the stove. Say what?!!! My kiddos make these with no problem at all. Simply use a low heat, and stir, stir, stir!
There are so many things I love about this recipe. One is that it makes so many! There are plenty to give away and still enjoy some for yourself. The recipe is easy to double in case you just need more than the original calls for. The other thing I love is I don't have to use the oven. Often times, I will cook cookies in the oven while I have these stirring on the stove top. That allows me to kill 2 birds with one stone!
When we first got married I tried other recipes, but kept coming back to my mom's. The only thing I really tweaked was making it with both milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate. I found that it really added to the flavor to have a mix of milk with dark. But if you prefer dark feel free to use that. You can also experiment with the bark.
Storing Chocolate Peanut Clusters:
The best way to store peanut clusters is in an airtight sealed container, nestled in between sheets of wax paper. You can also seal them in a closed baggie if you are in a pinch. You can freeze them, but they will discolor. I like to store mine in a cool dry place. You can also place in the refrigerator (and this will speed up the setting process), but it sometimes makes the chocolate separate so if you are giving them away and want them to look their best, let them set up at room temperature in your kitchen.
Other ideas for Chocolate Clusters Mix In's:
- Experiment with the chocolates you use as well as the bark. The sky's the limit, but do try to use the best quality.
- Use unsalted peanuts, or lightly salted if you want a hint of salt, but if you use salted peanuts they will be too salty!
- substitute other nuts. My kiddos love almonds and cashews as well
- Throw in some marshmallows to make it a rocky road cluster. Dried fruits work too!
Chocolate Peanut Cluster Gift Boxes:
For gift giving I like to put a set of 4-6 in a mini paper loaf pan with parchment paper lining it. Fold over and tie with a bow! Perfect! Your friends and neighbors will thank you!
You might enjoy these:
No Mess, No Roll Truffle Bars!
Fixer Upper Inspired Christmas Home Tour
Flourless Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Triple Chocolate Peanut Clusters Recipe
📋Recipe
Triple Chocolate Peanut Cluster Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound white bark
- 12 oz milk chocolate chips
- 6 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups UNSALTED peanuts
Instructions
- Melt bark and chocolate chips together in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.
- Once the mixture is melted and smooth, add the unsalted peanuts, stirring them into the mixture well.
- Drop on wax paper or parchment paper with a scoop or soup spoon and let sit for several hours until cool and firm.
- Store in an air tight container. Refrigerating will help them firm up more, but they can also get white spots, so be careful if doing so.
Video
Nutrition
Sweets and Treats Blog Hop
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Kathy says
Why does this recipe and others suggest the white bark? What is the difference between that and let's say Ghirardelli white chocolate bits? I think the Ghirardelli is a better chocolate. What do you think? Can you use the Ghirardelli white chocolate bits? Will they still set ok? Thanks.
MrsMajHoff says
Hi Kathy! I think bark has a slightly different chemical make up than chips. BUT I do think the white chocolate bits will work fine. And yes, I think Ghiradelli is an amazing chocolate-- and they are a great supporter of the US military troops, which is much appreciated!