Crock Pot Candy is incredibly easy to make in your slow cooker. These delicious chocolate peanut clusters are perfect for serving at Halloween, Christmas gatherings, Valentine's Day, or making homemade gifts.
It’s time to get jolly! One of the best things about the holiday season, and this time of year IMO, is making homemade candy. My crockpot peanut candy is amazing and always a hit, no matter when or where I serve it.
Creamy chocolate and crunchy peanuts topped with festive sprinkles make a crave-worthy dessert or gift. They look wonderful on my holiday cookie platter, at a cookie exchange, or in a tin for family, neighbors, or co-workers.
If you're a fan of chocolate and peanuts, try these irresistible Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cracker Cookies!
Why You Love This Candy Recipe
- Easy
- Big Batch
- Hands Off
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Ingredient Notes
There are only 5 simple ingredients, plus a fun topping needed to make easy Crock Pot Candy.
- peanuts - jar of salty peanuts and a jar of unsalted peanuts. Or whatever combo you prefer.
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
- German's® chocolate baking bar
- peanut butter chips - optional, but add a nice dimension to the candy.
- white almond bark - also known as vanilla-flavored candy coating. Don't use white chocolate chips. They won't set.
- sprinkles - for a festive topping. We love Christmas sprinkles during the holidays and Orange for Halloween.
NOTE: Instead of peanuts, you can also use almonds, cashews, or pecans (or a combo) in this sweet treat.
NOTE: Instead of peanuts, you can also use almonds, cashews, or pecans (or a combo) in this sweet treat.
You'll also need lined baking sheets.
Find the full recipe and instructions in the recipe card below.
Add-in ideas
We love this slow cooker candy as is, but if you’d like to add in other ingredients for a flavor profile or texture, try one, or a combination, of the following:
- pretzel pieces
- crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
- pistachio nuts
- coconut flakes
- mini marshmallows
- cashews
- toffee bits - mix them in at the very end
What is almond bark?
Almond bark (also known as vanilla-flavored candy coating) is a chocolate-like confection made with vegetable fats (which helps your candy have a shiny, non-cloudy exterior) instead of cocoa butter and with coloring and flavors added.
You can buy it in packages, blocks, or round discs. You can usually find them in the baking aisle of supermarkets or at Walmart.
Almond bark not only adds great flavor but also helps the candies set up and harden.
Funny how that ‘almond bark’ doesn’t actually have any almonds in it!
What is a German’s Chocolate Bar?
According to JoyofBaking.com, German's® Sweet Chocolate is dark baking chocolate created by the Walter Baker & Company employee, Samuel German (hence the name), who developed the chocolate in 1852.
German thought this type of chocolate would be convenient for bakers as the sugar is already added to it. It is sweeter than semi-sweet chocolate and contains a blend of chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, flavorings, and lecithin.
It can be found in the baking aisle in most grocery stores.
How to make crock pot candy
- ADD INGREDIENTS TO CROCK POT - Add peanuts and then chocolate chips, German chocolate, peanut butter chips, and almond bark to the crock pot.
- COOK - Place the lid on the crock pot and cook for 2 hours on low.
- STIR - Remove the lid and give it a good stir.
- MAKE CLUSTERS - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, use a cookie scoop to place spoonfuls of mixture on the baking sheet.
- TOP WITH SPRINKLES - While still warm, top your crockpot candy with festive sprinkles.
- LET HARDEN - Refrigerate the chocolate clusters for 20 minutes or until fully set.
What if you’re allergic to nuts?
Readers shared these suggestions if you need to make your Crockpot Candy Recipe without nuts.
- Raisins
- Rice Krispies
- Coconut Flakes
- Pumpkin Seeds
Crock Pot candy tips & tricks
- We love the flavor the peanut butter chips add to the chocolate, but you can omit them if needed. You can also use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.
- You can use white or vanilla candy melts instead of white almond bark (vanilla-flavored candy coating).
- A cookie scoop works well to make evenly proportioned clusters, but you can also use a large spoon.
- Depending on the size of your candy clusters, you'll get 70-90 pieces. That's a huge batch!
- You can place the melted candy in cupcake liners to make a festive presentation.
- If you’re topping your clusters with holiday sprinkles, don’t scoop more than 8 - 10 pieces before going back and adding the sprinkles. It's important to add them while the clusters are still soft, or the sprinkles won’t stick. You can also leave them off if you want plain candy.
- If you want to gift your crockpot Christmas candy, simply put some clusters in cellophane bags and tie them with a ribbon.
PRO TIP: If you’re short on time and have space, pop the peanut clusters in the refrigerator to cool them quickly.
Erin
How to store
To Store - if your house doesn’t get too hot, store your Christmas Crock Pot Candy in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 weeks. Keeping them in the refrigerator will help them last longer (about 3 weeks).
ERIN'S TIP: When storing crock pot candy, use parchment or wax paper between the layers so they don't stick together.
To Freeze - make sure your candy is fully set, and then flash freeze on the baking tray (freeze individually). Don't forget to label and date! Once frozen, place the candy in a freezer-safe container and freeze them for 3 - 6 months.
Supplies needed
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- 6-quart Crock Pot - a kitchen workhouse you'll have for years.
- Parchment Paper
- Baking Sheet
- Cookie Scoop - great for making evenly proportioned cookies or muffins.
- Holiday Gift Boxes
More Christmas Candy Recipes
Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Christmas Crack
Homemade Almond Roca Candy
Reindeer Chow
Peanut Butter Christmas Crack
Cranberry Bliss Saltine Toffee
Seasonal crock pot candy ideas
It's such an easy recipe. Make your crock pot candy for all your favorite holidays. Just swap out the color of the sprinkles, and you're good to go!
Valentine's Day Crock Pot Candy is a favorite because, you know, chocolate!
Love this Crockpot Candy recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down.
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Printable Recipe
Crock Pot Candy Recipe
Equipment
- cookie scoop
- Spatula or cooking spoon
Ingredients
- 1 16 ounce jar salted peanuts
- 1 16 ounce jar unsalted peanuts
- 1 12 ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 4 ounce bar German's® chocolate baking bar
- ½ cup peanut butter chips
- 48 ounces white almond bark
- sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Add salted and unsalted peanuts and then chocolate chips, German chocolate bar, peanut butter chips, and almond bark to the crock pot.
- Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 2 hours.
- Remove the lid and stir well.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, use a cookie scoop or large spoon to place spoonfuls of mixture on the baking sheet.
- While still warm, top your crockpot candy with festive sprinkles. (optional)
- Refrigerate the chocolate clusters for 20 minutes or until fully set.
Video
Notes
- We love the flavor the peanut butter chips add to the chocolate, but you can omit them if needed.
- You can use white/vanilla candy melts in place of the white almond bark (vanilla-flavored candy coating).
- A cookie scoop works well to make evenly proportioned clusters, but you can also use a large spoon.
- Depending on how big your candy clusters are, you'll get 70-90 pieces.
- If you're topping your clusters with holiday sprinkles, don't scoop more than 8 - 10 pieces before going back and adding the sprinkles. Adding them while the clusters are still soft is essential, or the sprinkles won't stick.
Phyllis Mole
Does anything change (time or temperature) if I don’t add nuts or anything. I just want plain chocolate!
Erin Henry
The cook time should remain the same if you're not using nuts, Phyllis. Let us know how it goes!
Nell Head
I’m thinking I cant save this to my own candy board?
Erin Henry
If you're trying to pin the image, here is one on Pinterest to save to your candy board https://www.pinterest.com/pin/329536897743446726/.
Enjoy!
Jennifer
This candy is downright addicting!! We are going to be making so many batches of this this year!!
Stephanie
Ok, this is a new one for me! I love it! Tried them out this weekend and not only were they delicious, but so easy too!
Erin Henry
So easy and so fun to make with the family during the holidays. Enjoy!
Andrea Thueson
This candy was a complete hit when I brought it to my book club the other night, everyone loved it!
Erin Henry
So glad they enjoyed it, Andrea! It's an excellent recipe for a crowd because it makes so many!
Erin Henry
A book club is the perfect place to share this candy. Nice job! Enjoy your holiday season.
Tracey Giordano
We make all this time and everyone always loves it! Such delicious gifts too!