Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe (Peanut Clusters) + Video

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Crockpot Candy is a staple of the holiday season in my house. Ooey gooey chocolate cascading over roasted nuts for a remarkably simple yet devastatingly delicious homemade Christmas candy! Even better, you can make these crockpot peanut clusters right in your slow cooker with simple ingredients!

crockpot peanut clusters stacked.


 



I’m not exaggerating here — watch the video in this post to see just how mouthwatering this easy recipe is!!

peanuts in crockpot.

Crockpot Candy

Sometimes the best sweets are the simplest, and does it get more classic than chocolate and peanuts? My crockpot candy recipe is no fuss with no funny business. 

This sweet treat is full of just wholesome, delicious flavors that you can share with your loved ones during the most wonderful time of the year!


The secret to homemade Christmas candy? Make a whole lot of it!! Saltine cracker candy and fudge are super shareable and could put a smile on even the Grinch’s face! 

This easy crockpot candy is a must have on your holiday cookie trays. It is such an easy candy to make this time of year with all the gifting and holiday parties. We enjoy taking time together to bake treats and these take so much less time that most other holiday baking.

peanuts and almond bark in crockpot

Ingredient Notes & Swaps for Chocolate Peanut Clusters

  • Peanuts – Honey roasted are my preference, but you’re not limited to just those!

    You can certainly use unsalted peanuts, I feel like the honey roasted really make this homemade candy special!

    Other nuts are great, too – almonds, walnuts, cashews, and macadamia nuts are some sweet subs your family will love. Or try stirring in some pretzels or rice krispies.
  • White Almond Bark – I recommend using vanilla for its sweet, subtle flavor. But you could certainly use white chocolate chips. You could even use candy melts.

    But, as I always say, the more chocolate the better! So use chocolate almond bark if you’d like.  
  • Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips – Using milk chocolate chips would be a tad too sweet, in my opinion, but you’re welcome to! You can use half semi-sweet and half peanut butter chips.

    Dark chocolate chips could also add a nice bitterness. Feel free to also mix and match to get a good balance!
  • German Chocolate Bar – Baker’s is my go-to! This is also a rather sweet chocolate, so you may want to substitute with a richer option if that’s your preference. 
  • (Optional) Garnishes – Crushed candy cane, mini marshmallows, holiday sprinkles, toffee bits – there’s almost no end to the holiday toppers you could use!
    You could even use a sea salt garnish.


    If you’re nuts for nuts, you could even add more crushed peanuts on top to finish! 
adding chocolate chips to crockpot.

Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions

  • Allergy Friendly Fixes – You don’t need nuts for texture! 

    There are plenty of pairs for chocolate: pretzel pieces, pumpkin seeds, candy cane chunks, or graham crackers. Just choose your favorite!
  • Cool Them Quick – Once you’ve laid the crockpot peanut clusters onto the baking sheets lined with parchment or wax paper, pop them in the fridge to help them chill faster. 

    If you’re planning on using this tip, you may want to use a tiered container or perhaps several smaller baking dishes to fit easily in your fridge.
  • Tips for Less Mess – Rather than using parchment paper, consider placing the candies in individual muffin liners. 

    Not only can you easily move them from one place to another, but you can serve them right in the liners!
  • Great For Gifts! A handful of crockpot Christmas candy bites in  cellophane bags are a great party favor or gift for friends during the holiday season. 

    I highly recommend it! 
  • Making in Bulk? Layer a baking sheet with multiple pieces of parchment paper. Once one sheet is full, move it to another area of your countertop and proceed placing the crockpot candy on the sheet below it. 

    You can work quickly and efficiently this way! You can also layer hardened candies like this in a single container, helping you store more in one container. 
peanuts coated in melted chocolate.

Storing Your Homemade Christmas Candy

Crockpot peanut clusters don’t necessarily need to be refrigerated – they’re a certified countertop candy – but they’ll last longer when chilled! 

And if your kitchen is on the warm side, they might get melty and messy if not kept in the refrigerator.

Let slow cooker candy cool to room temperature first if you’re going to store in layers or in the refrigerator. 

They’ll last at room temp for a couple weeks, a month in the fridge in an airtight container, and even longer in the freezer!

I toss them in a gallon freezer bag and pull them out as we want them. Thaw for 30 minutes and enjoy.

crockpot Christmas candy scoops on baking sheet

Crockpot Candy FAQ

How many crockpot peanut clusters does this recipe make?  

Using a small cookie scoop, you can make 12 dozen slow cooker peanut clusters!

Can I make crockpot candy on the stovetop? 

While I recommend using a slow cooker for ease, you can easily make this recipe on your stovetop if you’d like to.

Using your stove does, however, require maintenance. Heat the chocolate on a low, low heat while stirring constantly. Once melted, add the peanuts. Stir and transfer with a scooper the same as the original recipe.

You could also go with the double boiler method, helping to quickly melt the chocolate and lowering the risk of burning. 

Why isn’t my crockpot candy setting? 

It’s possible that the chocolate you chose doesn’t harden adequately. This often happens if you don’t use enough almond bark, which sets the hardest. 

If you don’t wish to use almond bark, then use candy coating discs instead – easily found in the baking or decorating aisle! It can’t be all chocolate chips as they just won’t harden right. 

slow cooker candy with festive sprinkles.

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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homemade Christmas candy.

crockpot Christmas candy closeup.

Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe (Peanut Clusters) + Video

Donna Elick
Crockpot Candy is a sweet, nutty, festive holiday treat on a time crunch! This homemade Christmas candy recipe basically makes itself!
4.50 stars from 4 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Method Slow Cooker
Servings 144 peanut clusters

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 34.5 ounces honey roasted peanuts, I use Planters
  • 32 ounces almond bark, vanilla flavored
  • 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
  • 4 ounces German chocolate bar, I use Baker's
  • optional garnish: sprinkles or crushed candy canes

Instructions
 

  • Layer ingredients into a 5-quart slow cooker; cover with lid.
  • Cook on Low for 1 hour. Do not stir!
  • After 1 hour, stir mixture and continue to cook, stirring every 15-20 minutes for another hour (a total of 2 hours).
  • Meanwhile, line countertop or table with a long piece of parchment paper.
  • Turn off crockpot. Use a 1 tablespoon scooper to portion out candy from crockpot and onto parchment paper.
    Be sure to leave space between each peanut cluster. While the candy is still warm, garnish with sprinkles or other desired toppings.
  • Allow to cool completely.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 94cal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 30mg | Sugar: 6g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
crockpot candy recipe.

Originally published December 2014, updated and republished November 2023

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157 Comments

  1. I am so glad someone shared this recipe this year. I made it last year and got RAVE reviews. Bought little baking cups to try this year!!!

  2. The german chocolate bar, is it cooking chocolate? I have never heard of baking chocolate or seen it. We don't have Walmart here so wouldn't know where to get it. What can I use instead. Is it important or can I just leave it out? Many questions I know. 🙂

    1. I have used semi sweet chips, also white,peanut butter, butterscotch, dark chocolate, and peppermint chips to replace baking chocolate. Depends what flavor I want. Usually replace with 2 normal ( 11 to 12 ounce) bags of chips.

    2. Baking chocolate can be found in any grocery store. It is with the baking supplies in your store. It comes in a bar. I use it to make brownies or homemade fudge! It almost looks like a giant candy bar. Bakers is the most common brand.

  3. I use a very similar recipe every year but it is called Reindeer Poop and has a cute little saying that goes with it 🙂 The crock pot works great, don't have to bother with it until almost all melted.

  4. I never use the German chocolate bar, tried it both way and no difference in taste or texture at all only makes it look like milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate and I do not stir at all until after time is up and I'm ready to dip out. Also my recipe calls for 1 jar salted and 1 jar unsalted peanuts which is what I use. Love it !!!!

  5. I only have a crockpot that cooks on high for 4 or 6 hours or low on 8 or 10. Can I still make this recipe and how?

    1. I'd say to follow the directions, set the crockpot for low 8 hours, but then unplug it after the 2 hours.

  6. Made this tonight. Hubby and I love it and we are keeping it in our holiday goodie folder. It was easy and relatively quick to make!

  7. My brother can't have any type of nuts – what would you suggest as a replacement for the nuts so he can make some especially for him?

    1. Not quite sure about this, but I'd try coffee beans. Now I suddenly want to try that myself! Anyone else have suggestions?

    2. Just think of candy bars, or anything you'd like to eat with chocolate, such as: marshmallows, pretzels, graham crackers, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, caramels, toffee bits, crushed or chopped up peppermint candy or candy canes, coconut flakes, broken up cookies (homemade cookies, or crunchy store-bought cookies), brownies, etc.

      You can mix and match different ingredients, such as marshmallows and graham cracker bits for a s'mores-like candy.

      If you use something that is in smaller bits, such as crushed candy canes, you can spread the chocolate out in a thin layer on parchment paper and break it into pieces after it hardens, instead of doing clusters. Sometimes this method is called Almond Bark, or Peppermint Bark–but you can put whatever you want in it and even sprinkle some on top after spreading the chocolate out–or add colorful sprinkles on top.

      I've also seen dried fruit dipped in chocolate, such as dried cherries, cranberries, blueberries, etc. So that might work as clusters.

  8. Why did my chocolate clusters change colors in the fridge? Will the color come back after being out of the fridge for a while?

  9. OMG, this was the easiest and best recipe ever, thanks so much for sharing! Our favorite was as follows: 1 tall jar honey roasted peanuts, 1 bag Hershey's vanilla baking chips, 1 bag Hershey's special dark chips, and 1/2 dark chocolate baker's bar. When it was ready to drop onto the parchment paper, I mixed in a bag of Heath bits of brickle. Even my "I don't like sweets" husband loved these. The half recipe made about 70 candies.

  10. This looks delicious & really like that you have suggestions for using other ingredients instead of peanuts (our daughter has severe peanut allergy!)

  11. My german chocolate bar was not unsweetened. It was 40% and it still tasted great. That was the only German chocolate they had in the store. The blend of the 3 chocolates was much better than just the almond bark by itself

  12. 5 stars
    Unquestionably good, and it’s so simple. We make this as a holiday food gift for friends every year!

    TSRI Team member,
    Becca

  13. I love this recipe. I made it first about 5 years ago to give to friends and family for Christmas. They loved it! I don’t usually cook in a Crockpot but it worked beautifully. Then I tried making it each year after but the 3rd year it seemed “burned” but people loved it anyway. Ditto 4th year. A few months ago I decided to try and figure out why it wasn’t the same as the first two years. Discovered that the medium temperature on my Crockpot wasn’t working and I was cooking it on high the entire time! I now have a new Crockpot so I can again make this delicious candy for my friends and family. I recommend the recipe to anyone who likes chocolate, and be sure to give to your favorite people. They will love you for it!

    1. Hi Pat,
      We are so happy to hear that everyone loves it! Sorry to hear about the crockpot but glad you got a new one and make it again! Thank you for rating our recipe! Have a great day!
      TSRI Team Member,
      Holli

    1. Hi Kay!
      It would have to be a pretty large crock pot. Or you could 1.5x this recipe and I think it’d fit. Hope this helps!
      TSRI Team Member,
      Devlyn

  14. 5 stars
    What a great idea to make this in the crockpot. I also used the liner and it worked like a charm. (clean up)
    Happy to be ahead in making my holiday treats.

    1. Hi Jennifer!
      You can use sugar free chocolate chips, but the taste may differ a bit. Hope this helps!
      TSRI Team Member,
      Devlyn

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