The perfect blend of sweet and salty with these easy-to-make Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters, a no-bake treat ready in minutes.
Easy Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters
We make these peanut clusters every Christmas to give to neighbors, but I tend to eat more than I give away.
Honestly, if I taste other people's peanut clusters made without the secret addition of butterscotch they taste simple and flat. Trust me, these will be a hit at the cookie exchange.
Ingredients
- Dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet morsels -- Just not milk chocolate chips
- Butterscotch chips -- gives depth of flavor to these clusters. I think everyone else's taste flat without this ingredient
- Salted peanuts -- adds crunch, richness, and saltiness to balance the chocolate
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips.
- Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Repeat until the chips are melted. This takes 2-3 minutes total in my microwave, but microwaves vary. Do NOT burn the chocolate.
- Stir in the peanuts until completely covered. Work quickly to prevent the chocolate mixture from setting up.
- Using 2 spoons, drop ping-pong ball sized drops onto wax or parchment paper. Allow to set up. I often slide them into the refrigerator to help them set up faster.
Hint: Do not burn your chocolate. Stir vigorously after each 30-second interval. Stop heating when most chips are melted and stir until smooth.
Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Ingredients
- 2 bags Dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet morsels 12 ounces each (24 ounces total)
- 1 bag Butterscotch chips 12 ounces
- 2 containers Salted peanuts 16 ounces each (32 ounces total)
Instructions
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips.
- Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Repeat until the chips are melted. This takes 2-3 minutes total in my microwave, but microwaves vary. Do NOT burn the chocolate.
- Stir in the peanuts until completely covered. Work quickly to prevent the chocolate mixture from setting up.
- Using 2 spoons, drop ping-pong ball sized drops onto wax or parchment paper. Allow to set up. I often slide them into the refrigerator to help them set up faster.
Notes
Nutrition
Easy Homemade Gift
Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters are simple to make and fun to gift to teachers friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family.
Each year, the kids and I have a Christmas goodie-making day where these peanut clusters, chocolate-covered pretzels, Cornflake Candy, Honey Peanut Butter Cookies with a Chocolate kiss on top, and French Cookies are made.
Add Chocolate Chip Bacon Grease Cookies and individual Mini Banana Breads to the plate and your neighbors won't even be mad when your goats get out of the fences and eat their rose bushes this spring.
Substitutions & Variations
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Clusters - add peanut butter chips instead of butterscotch for another variation
- Toffee Chips - Another great stir-in with the peanuts is toffee chips
- Chocolate and Dried Fruit Clusters - Substitute equal amounts of dried fruits such as raisins or dried cranberries for some or all of the peanuts
- Mixed nuts - try different nuts, if you prefer
Storage
I like to keep my dark chocolate peanut clusters in a covered container in the fridge so they don't melt.
These no-bake candies also freeze well for up to 6 months.
Related
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Pairing
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Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Chuckie
The BEST peanut cluster recipe there is. Much tastier than "plain" chocolate. One of my favorites for Christmas but lots of times each year.