Crock Pot Peanut Clusters Recipe – 3 Types of Nuts & Chocolate!

If you are looking for an easy candy recipe to share with your family and friends this holiday season then you definitely need to make this Crock Pot Peanut Clusters recipe. However, instead of using only peanuts, there are actually 3 different types of nuts nestled in a mound of melted chocolate and then left to harden for the perfect, easy to make sweet treat.

It is a great edible gift to share with others, especially for those that love chocolate. That is because there are also three different varieties of chocolate used to make these nut clusters stand above the rest.

As good as these little confections are, you might think that they would be difficult to make. However, the process of making and forming these mounds of candy couldn’t be easier!

That is all thanks to the slow cooker! Simply place all the ingredients inside the slow cooker and within a couple of hours the chocolate will melt and the candies are ready to be formed.

Then place the mounds of chocolate covered nuts on wax paper and let them harden. That is it!

There is not even the requirement to heat the chocolate to a certain temperature set on a candy thermometer. Instead, it is so easy that even the novice cook can master this recipe.

When To Make Peanut Clusters

I love to make these crock pot peanut clusters on the same day that I am baking Christmas cookies. With the oven being constantly occupied and during those periods of waiting for the cookies to be done, it is a great time to pull out my other recipes that don’t require the oven.

First, I will start making my Chocolate and Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies on the stove. Then as I wait for them to harden, I will pull out my 6 quart programmable Crock Pot and the ingredients to make the nut clusters.

As I am waiting for the chocolate to melt in the crock pot, I will begin forming peanut butter balls to make Buckeyes. And in between every step, I will check and reload the oven with my Cut-Out Sugar Cookies.

Although it may seem like a lot to do in one day, it actually works out perfectly. Especially when the crock pot is doing the tedious work for you!

It is a very productive way to get all the cookies and candy that I need to make Christmas cookie trays to share with my family and friends. However, don’t just think about making Crock Pot Triple Nut Clusters just around Christmas.

Good For All Occasions

The chocolatey confection treats are great to make any time of the year! Think about those who love to receive a gift of chocolate on Valentine’s Day.

Or what about your mother who you have no idea what to get on Mother’s Day. She would love a homemade treat made especially for her!

And don’t stop there. Think about keeping several on hand for a quick sweet tooth craving in the middle of summer or to make a batch for the next fundraising bake sale. Fortunately, they freeze well so you can have them on hand any day of the year.

Crock Pot Nut Clusters Without Peanuts

However, before sending packages of the nut clusters to school for the bake sale, be sure to check to see if they are a peanut-free facility. Because of allergies, many schools have prohibited peanut products from entering the school.

If that is the case, you can simply modify this crock pot peanut clusters recipe to exclude peanuts. It is a very versatile recipe in that manner.

Although most nut cluster recipes are all peanut based, this one includes three types of nuts. Cashews, pecans and peanuts are all mixed together to give both great taste and texture to the treats.

However, you can make them any way you want them. For instance, if you want to eliminate the peanuts, you can still make them with the cashews and pecans.

Or if you don’t like pecans, you can make them all with cashews. You can even add walnuts, macadamia or any other type of nut that you prefer. The choices are endless!

Triple Chocolate Too!

Not only does this Chocolate Triple Nut Clusters use three different varieties of nuts puts this candy recipe on top of all others, it also uses three different types of chocolate as well.

The combination of the three chocolate varieties will allow that creamy chocolate to not only taste delicious, but it will also allow the clusters to set up beautifully when cooled.

Although you might be tempted to use just one of the chocolates listed below, it is important that you use all three. Otherwise, the candies may be mushy or not set up at all.

You can easily find all three around the holidays at most large grocery stores. They are typically stocked in the baking aisle, however, be sure to look at special displays set up throughout the store this time of the year as well.

Crock Pot Peanut Clusters Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 16-ounce jar dry-roasted peanuts
• 8-ounce can salted whole cashews
• 1 cup pecan pieces
• 18 2-ounce chocolate (almond) bark coating squares, cut in half
• 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate morsels
• 4 1-ounce bittersweet chocolate baking squares, broken into pieces
• 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

Start by adding the dry roasted peanuts, cashews and pecan pieces in a 5 quart or larger size crock pot. Then add the chocolate almond bark, semisweet chocolate morsels and bittersweet chocolate baking squares on top of the nuts.

Next, add the shortening on top of the chocolate. Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on LOW for 2 hours to let the chocolate melt over the triple nut combination.

Check After 1 Hour

*However, because all slow cookers heat at different rates, be sure to check the chocolate after it has been on for an hour. Stir and continue to let it heat until the chocolate melts.

Once the chocolate melts, stir the chocolate and nuts together. Then add the pure vanilla extract and stir well to coat.

Place wax paper on the counter or line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with wax paper. Then use a medium cookie scoop to make mounds of the nut clusters and place on the wax paper.

Let the triple nut clusters stand for at least 2 hours or until firm. Then store in an air tight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

*Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters can be stored in an air tight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Enjoy! Mary

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