This delicious dessert, that’s also easy to make, combines both sweet and salty in a match made in chocolate heaven. Peanut Clusters only have 4 ingredients and take minutes to make. They’re perfect for the holidays or a cookie exchange and go great in a cookie tin gift.
Traditional holiday treats like Rum Balls and Gingerbread Cookies will always be some of my favorite treats to make and share, but when they’re as easy to make as this peanut clusters recipe I can’t resist.
I recommend making these and placing them in a small gift bag tied with string and giving it together with this Homemade Amaretto. You’re friends and family will love it!
Why You’ll Love Them Too
- Easy to make. Did I say that already? There are just a few steps to prepare these delicious chocolate peanut clusters. You just need to melt the chocolate and almond bark together and then stir in the peanuts. Drop some spoonfuls onto some wax paper and let it chill for a little bit in the fridge. That’s it!
- Makes a large batch. These are great for gift-giving or adding to an adorable cookie tin with other treats like Praline Bars. If you don’t need as much you can always half the recipe.
- You can add other flavors. Mixing in other nuts or even some dried fruit you can get additional flavor and texture for a truly unique taste.
Ingredients Needed
These are peanut clusters with almond bark and chocolate chips, but you still only need 4 ingredients total to prepare them.
- Salted Peanuts – I like to use roasted salted peanuts for this recipe, but you can use unsalted or even honey roasted for added flavor.
- Chocolate Chips – Grab a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips to mix together for the perfect combination.
- Almond Bark – Use either almond bark or candy melts, which add flavor, but also keep the mixture smooth so your clusters turn out pretty.
Additional Add-Ins
- Mix in some peanut butter. You can drizzle it on top or stir some into the melted mixture for a chocolate peanut butter flavor.
- Add dried fruit. Stirring in some dried cranberries or dried cherries brings a sweet seasonal flavor. Another option is dried apricots, but chop them up.
- Try different nuts or even a mixture. Stir in some hazelnuts or even macadamia nuts.
- Drizzle some melted white chocolate on top. This not only adds flavor but is a pretty topping. You can also sprinkle festive sugars or sprinkles on top.
How to Make Peanut Clusters
- Melt the chocolate and bark together. Place a heavy saucepan over low heat and add the almond bark (or candy melts), milk chocolate chips, and semi-sweet chocolate chips into the pan and melt, stirring frequently, until smooth and fully melted. Let the mixture cool for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the peanuts. Pour the peanuts into the pot and fold them into the chocolate mixture until fully incorporated.
- Scoop and chill the clusters. Using a spoon scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture out and place it in clumps onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet (or line it with a silicon baking mat). Sprinkle the top of each cluster with sea salt and place it in the fridge to chill for about 20 minutes.
Storage Information
To store your chocolate peanut clusters place them in an air-tight container or bag. You can also arrange them in gift bags tied with string. They will last for about 2 weeks.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Don’t wait too long to scoop the clusters. As the peanut and chocolate mixture sits it begins to harden and won’t scoop out into smooth and pretty clusters as it was when it was warmer. It will still taste delicious though.
- Let the kids make them! This is one of those super easy recipes that only need a low heat to melt the chocolate. It’s a great recipe for kids to make all on their own.
FAQS
Peanut clusters are made of melted chocolate chips, almond bark or candy melts, and salted peanuts.
No, you don’t have to store them in the refrigerator and instead can keep them in an air-tight container in your pantry or countertop.
If stored in an air-tight container, peanut clusters will last for 2 to 3 weeks.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this easy recipe, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a photo and tag me on Instagram using @AimeeMarsLiving and #AimeeMars.
Peanut Clusters Recipe
Equipment
- Large Saucepan
- Wax Paper or silicone baking mat
- Baking Sheets
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Almond Bark or candy melts
- 1 12 ounce bag Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 12 ounce bag Milk Chocolate Chips
- 6 cups Salted Peanuts
Instructions
- Place a heavy saucepan over low heat and add the almond bark (or candy melts), milk chocolate chips, and semi-sweet chocolate chips into the pan and melt, stirring frequently, until smooth and fully melted. Let the mixture cool for 10 minutes.
- Pour the peanuts into the pot and fold them into the chocolate mixture until fully incorporated.
- Using a spoon scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture out and place it in clumps onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet (or line it with a silicon baking mat). Sprinkle the top of each cluster with sea salt and place it in the fridge to chill for about 20 minutes.
Notes
- Don’t wait too long to scoop the clusters. As the peanut and chocolate mixture sits it begins to harden and won’t scoop out into smooth and pretty clusters as it was when it was warmer. It will still taste delicious though.
- Let the kids make them! This is one of those super easy recipes that only need a low heat to melt the chocolate. It’s a great recipe for kids to make all on their own.
- To store – To store your chocolate peanut clusters place them in an air-tight container or bag. You can also arrange them in gift bags tied with string. They will last for about 2 weeks.
