Easy Crockpot Candy

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This Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe is sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy – and so perfect for the holiday season. Crockpot peanut clusters are an easy recipe using just 4 simple ingredients and your slow cooker. They are perfect for your holiday cookie trays, cookie exchanges, potlucks and for homemade gifts.

Need more easy desserts to make for the Christmas season? Try our Christmas Trash Snack Mix for an addicting treat. These Christmas Oreo Balls will be a hit with the kids especially, and don’t forget a classic – The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies!

Table of Contents

I’ve often said that the best desserts are the simplest to make, such as Pecan Haystacks. This is your reminder to not overlook the classics when craving a sweet treat this time of year.

Crockpot Christmas candy recipes are right up there with Canadian Butter Tarts and Christmas Fudge. Tried and true classics that have become as traditional as Santa himself.

These candy clusters that are made in the slow cooker are individual bites of holiday bliss. Homemade candy is easy to make with this recipe.

With one batch making 80 Christmas candy pieces, Christmas crockpot candy is a recipe that will continue to please throughout the season.

Why You’ll Love Crockpot Candy

Easy Recipe – Using simple ingredients, your slow cooker does all the work!
Versatile – This easy candy has many possibilities when it comes to substitutions and additions.
Makes A Big Batch – No need to double the recipe or make this multiple times over. This recipe makes plenty for yourself, guests and for gifts.
Freezer Friendly – Make ahead and freeze for later, chocolate peanut clusters is a sweet treat you’ll love having on hand for when the craving hits.
Homemade Gift Idea – Use holiday tins or cellophane bags to make homemade gifts this year!

Total Time: 2.5 Hours

Yield: 80 candy pieces

Ingredients and Notes

As always, the full recipe is on the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Peanuts – I like to use dry roasted salted peanuts for this slow cooker candy recipe.
White Almond Bark – It has the perfect melting and setting qualities to make crockpot candy. If you’d like to swap this out, use candy melts as they tend to melt and then set similarly.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – This is my preference for chips. Of course you can use milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter chips – or a combination.
Sprinkles (OPTIONAL) – Adding sprinkles before gives it that touch of color and holiday look. There are other options, which I will cover below.

You cannot use all chocolate chips for this recipe or the pieces won’t harden correctly. Make sure to use almond bark or candy melts!

Variations and Substitutions

I love this easy crockpot candy recipe for it’s versatility in ingredient swaps.

This way you can suit a theme, occasion, allergy reasons, product availability, or just plain preference. Here are some ideas:

Allergy Friendly Swaps – If you can’t use almond bark, try candy melts. Can’t use peanuts? You need another option that will give that crunchy texture such as pretzels, seeds, or Rice Krispies.
Go Nuts – Instead of peanuts, you can use: pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, or cashews. You can always use a combination of nuts too.
Topping Options – Not feeling sprinkles? Before the candy sets, there are plenty of other toppings you can add for a fabulous final touch. Try toffee bits, mini marshmallows, crushed candy cane, sea salt, or even more crushed nuts.

How to Make Crockpot Candy

Line four large cookie sheets with parchment paper (or wax paper), and set aside.
Add the peanuts in an even layer into a 5 quart (or larger) crockpot.
Add the almond bark and chocolate chips, yet do not mix.
Cover the pot with the lid, and cook on low for one hour without stirring.
After an hour has passed, mix the peanuts and chocolate well.

** Be careful that no condensation falls into the crockpot when removing the lid to stir the mixture. If water gets into the chocolate, it will cause it to seize.
Continue to cook for another hour, mixing well every 20 minutes. During this time, it’s also a good idea to make room in the fridge.
Drop heaping tablespoons of the chocolate mixture onto each parchment-lined baking sheet. You can use a spoon or a small cookie scoop. Top with holiday sprinkles if using.
Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes, or until the chocolate is set. Once set, you can transfer to containers or bag of choice and store.

If you don’t have 4 cookie sheets, you just need a flat surface that can be transferred to the fridge. You can also use cutting boards or cardboard.

How to Store Crockpot Candy

Slow cooker peanut clusters don’t have to be stored in the fridge, but they will last longer when the are. Plus, they will be guaranteed not to melt.

I’d say crockpot candy will last 2 weeks at room temperature and 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Plus if they are chilled and set before storing in the fridge, you don’t have to worry so much about them sticking to each other.

Can You Freeze Crockpot Candy?

Absolutely! The candies can be frozen for up to three months. Wait for the candies to set completely before transferring them to an airtight container or freeze bag to freeze.

Then you can pull them out as needed. They won’t take too long to thaw before enjoying.

FAQ’s

Can I make crockpot candy on the stovetop?

Technically, you can yet it requires a lot of hands on work to ensure it all melts and doesn’t burn. It will take away from the ease of recipe for sure. If you do want to cook this on the stove, a double broiler will help.

Why isn’t my crockpot candy setting?

This is a common question from those that substituted the almond bark for more chocolate chips or another chocolate type that doesn’t melt nor set correctly. It’s important that you use almond bark or candy melts for this recipe, and in the right amounts so it hardens.

More Christmas Treats

Whipped Shortbread Cookies – melt in your mouth with an airy and rich buttery vanilla flavor.
Christmas Trash Snack Mix – with pretzels, cereal, candy all tossed together with chocolate. It’s quick, easy and an addicting treat.
Peanut Butter Confetti Squares – a classic Christmas treat with just 4 ingredients.
Eggnog Cookies – Eggnog cookies with a creamy sweet eggnog frosting, it’s the perfect holiday spice for the season.
Christmas Sugar Cookies – They have soft centers and crisp edges, a traditional cookie that everyone loves.
White Toffee Bark – with just 2 ingredients, you can get more easy than this.
Christmas Oreo Balls – an easy no-bake dessert made in just 30 minutes. With crushed Oreo cookies, cream cheese, melted chocolate, and sprinkles.

If you’ve tried this Easy Christmas Crockpot Candy or any other recipe on my blog please let me know how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Finally, consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you’re here. Thanks!

Crockpot Candy

This Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe is sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy – and so perfect for the holiday season. Crockpot peanut clusters are an easy recipe using just 4 simple ingredients and your slow cooker. They are perfect for your holiday cookie trays, cookie exchanges, potlucks and for homemade gifts.

4.80 from 5 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 2

Additional Time: 20

Total Time: 2 25

Servings: pieces

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Author: Tammi

Ingredients

6 cups dry roasted (salted peanuts)
32 ounces white almond bark (broken into pieces)
2 ¼ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Line four large cookie sheets with parchment (or wax paper), and set aside.
Add the peanuts in an even layer into a 5 quart (or larger) crockpot.
Add the almond bark and chocolate chips, yet do not mix.
Cover the pot with the lid, and cook on low for one hour without stirring.
After an hour has passed, mix the peanuts and chocolate well. Be careful that no condensation falls into the crockpot when removing the lid to stir the mixture. If water gets into the chocolate, it will cause it to seize. Continue to cook for another hour, mixing well every 20 minutes.
Drop heaping tablespoons of the chocolate mixture onto the parchment-lined baking sheets. Top with sprinkles if using.
Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes, or until the chocolate is set.

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks or in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. I recommend placing a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between layers if you have to stack the candies; this will prevent them from sticking to each other.
Can be frozen for up to three months. Wait for the candies to set completely before transferring them to an airtight container or freeze bag to freeze.
You can use white melting wafers in place of the almond bark.

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