The Best Chocolate Peanut Clusters Recipe - Cooking With Karli (2024)

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The Best Peanut Clusters are a fast, easy classic Holiday Treat! The combination of semi-sweet chocolate, white chocolate and peanut butter makes these Peanut Clusters the Best Ever!

The Best Chocolate Peanut Clusters Recipe - Cooking With Karli (1)

Chocolate Peanut Clusters – Classic Holiday Treat!

I have had my fair share of peanut clusters over the years. If we are being honest though, who hasn’t? These little guys are seriously the most classic of the Holiday Treat Classics!

I have always loved all of the treat gifting that goes on around Christmas and New Years. I loved both the giving and the receiving. I am a sugar lover at heart and would always pounce on those treat plates growing up!

My eyes were always looking for two things, Fudge and Peanut Clusters. Obviously I love my chocolate. ? The salty and sweet of the peanut clusters are just absolutely magical though, don’t ya think?

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Let’s not forget about the fudge, though. Fudge continues to be a favorite of mine to this day. In fact, I may have gone a little fudge crazy a few weeks ago and created all sorts of delicious fudge flavors. Cookie Dough Fudge and Sugar Cookie Fudge. #AllTheHeartEyes Pssst. Brownie Batter Fudge is next on my list.

Making this Recipe for Peanut Clusters in the Instant Pot or Microwave

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If you’ve been around these parts at all lately, you’ll know that I am obsessed with my Instant Pot. There are just so many reasons I love it!! Add Peanut Clusters to the list!

Peanut Clusters are really easy to make in the Instant Pot using my Chocolate Melting Hack! Essentially, you’ll use your Instant Pot and a glass bowl to create a double boiler! I use thisall the time!

Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in the microwave, The chocolate doesn’t turn out as smooth that way, though.

Peanut Cluster Ingredients

  • 1 12oz bag white chocolate chips (I use Guittard)
  • 1 12oz bag extra semisweet chocolate chips (I use Guittard)
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 3 tbsp shortening
  • 4 cups lightly salted peanuts

What chocolate should I use for my Peanut Clusters?

I’ve done the testing for you, I have the perfect combination!!

Extra Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, White Chocolate Chips and a tid bit of peanut butter.

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I really like these Extra Semisweet Chocolate Chips by Guittard. They are 55% Cacao. If you can’t find these in your local grocery store, either a regular semisweet or a dark chocolate chip will work fine.

You’ll need the whole bag of both semisweet and white chocolate chips. Add 1/4 cup of peanut butter and 3 tbsp of shortening to the mix as well. The shortening helps the chocolate set up.

What kind of peanuts should I use in my Peanut Clusters?

I use lightly salted peanuts. I like the saltiness of the peanuts but if you use extremely salted peanuts it will cause the chocolate to do funny things. It won’t stick to the peanuts as well.

You could also use unsalted if you prefer.

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How to make Chocolate Peanut Clusters

  1. Either melt that in the microwave or place in the bowl on top of your Instant Pot.
  2. If choosing the microwave method: Microwaving for 30 second intervals, stirring in between each one until smooth.
  3. For the Instant Pot, place the chocolate chips, peanut butter and shortening into the bowl on top of the Instant Pot. The Instant Pot should have water in the liner and it should be set on sauté HIGH.
  4. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is smooth.
  5. Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, add in 4 cups of peanuts.
  6. Stir to coat the peanuts generously in the chocolate.
  7. Scoop the chocolate covered peanuts out and place on parchment paper. I like to use my cookie scoop to evenly portion out the peanut clusters.
  8. Let the peanut clusters dry completely before removing from the parchment paper. You can even toss them in the fridge to speed up the process, I generally do that. ?
  9. Store either in the fridge or at room temperature in an air tight container for up to 5 days.
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YIELD: APPROX. 4 DOZEN PEANUT CLUSTERS

Storing this recipe for Peanut Clusters

Storing peanut clusters is really an easy thing to do. You’ll just want to make sure they set up completely prior to storing them. Store the peanut clusters in an air tight container or zip top bag.

Peanut Clusters FAQs

How long will peanut Clusters last?

They will keep fresh at room temperature for about 5 days. You can freeze them for up to 3 months, though!

Do you have to refrigerate peanut clusters?

No, they don’t have to be stored in the fridge but that will extend their shelf life.

How long do peanut clusters take to set?

This greatly depends on how hot your house is- the colder temperature in your house the faster they will set up. You can toss them in the fridge or freezer to help them set quickly, though.

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4.83 from 17 votes

Chocolate Peanut Clusters

By: Karli Bitner

The Best Peanut Clusters are a fast, easy classic Holiday Treat! The combination of semi-sweet chocolate, white chocolate and peanut butter makes these Peanut Clusters the Best Ever!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 12 oz (300g) bag white chocolate chips, I use Guittard
  • 1 12 oz (300g) bag extra semisweet chocolate chips, I use Guittard
  • 1/4 cup (61g) creamy peanut butter
  • 3 tbsp shortening
  • 4 cups (500g) lightly salted peanuts

Instructions

  • Instant Pot Method: Pour 2 cups of water into the liner of the Instant Pot. Set the Instant Pot to saute HIGH. Place a large glass bowl on top of the Instant Pot to create a double boiler.

  • Add both types of chocolate, the peanut butter and shortening to the bowl.

  • Stir occasionally until melted. SKIP TO STEP 5.

  • Microwave Method:

    Microwave both types of chocolate, peanut butter and shortening until smooth. Do this by microwaving for 30 second intervals at 50% power, stirring in-between until almost smooth. Stir the remaining chocolate chips until smooth.

  • Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, stir the peanuts into the chocolate making sure to coat all peanuts evenly.

  • Using a spoon or cookie scoop, portion the chocolate peanuts out into small clusters. Place the peanut clusters onto parchment paper to set.

  • Allow the peanut clusters to set completely before trying to remove. You can pop them in the fridge to speed up this process.

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

The Best Chocolate Peanut Clusters Recipe - Cooking With Karli (2024)

FAQs

Why didn't my peanut clusters harden? ›

This is caused by the ratio of almond bark to chocolate being too low. You need enough almond bark to ensure ensure your Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Clusters harden.

How many calories in a homemade peanut cluster? ›

Peanuts, Chocolate Covered, Peanut Clusters (1 peanut cluster) contains 7g total carbs, 6.3g net carbs, 4.7g fat, 1.8g protein, and 73 calories.

Why is my homemade chocolate not hardening? ›

It could be that your room temperature is too high. If the temperature is over 68 F, this can cause problems. The ideal setting temperature is between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. It could also be that the chocolate wasn't tempered, because untempered chocolate takes quite a bit longer to set.

How many peanuts does it take to make a 12 oz jar of peanut butter? ›

It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter. By law, any product labeled “peanut butter” in the United States must be at least 90 percent peanuts.

What is the little nub in a peanut called? ›

There's a little nub on the end of the peanut below? That's an embryo. The peanut is really just a seed, which, when planted in soil, grows into a peanut plant. And though all parts of the seed are vital, the embryo is basically the origin of the plant.

How many peanut butter spoons a day? ›

For most people, this means sticking to 1–2 tablespoons (16–32 grams) per day. Visually, 1 tablespoon (16 grams) is about the size of your thumb, while 2 (32 grams) is about the size of a golf ball. Opt for peanut butter that contains no added sugar and has a simple ingredient list, such as peanuts and salt.

How many whole peanuts is a serving? ›

A 1 oz serving of peanuts contains about 28 shelled peanuts (i.e., not in the shell), which is about 160 calories for raw peanuts, and 180 calories for our irresistibly crunchy, oil-blistered Salted Virginia Peanuts. Let's take a closer look at the nutrition components of peanuts.

How many peanuts in a spoon of peanut butter? ›

1 tsp of peanut butter = 5 peanuts.

How to fix peanut brittle that did not harden? ›

This is because you did not cook it long enough in the microwave. If the texture of the peanut brittle is sticky, and not crunchy, this means that you need to cook the mixture longer, until it reaches 300°F.

Why is my peanut brittle still soft? ›

Didn't get it hot enough. You have to hit hard crack stage heat or it's not going to harden. From internet: Hard-Crack Stage is a cooking term meaning that a sugar syrup being heated has reached 149 – 154 C (300 – 310 F.) It is a test of how hot a sugar syrup is, and of how much water is left in it.

Why are my peanut butter balls runny? ›

Use your fridge or freezer: If your peanut butter dough seems too soft to dip, it could be because your butter was too soft – or you live in a very warm climate. Don't worry – a little extra time in the fridge or freezer will help them firm up. Try again after 10 minutes.

Why are my peanuts not getting soft? ›

Dried peanuts may require boiling up to 24 hours until they soften. If your water is hard, full of minerals, or you are boiling at high altitude, then your boiling times for dried peanuts may be greater than 24 hours.

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