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This Crockpot Christmas crack is the easiest holiday candy you will ever make. Two kinds of peanuts, semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips, and creamy white almond bark melt together in the slow cooker, then get scooped into crunchy, sweet-and-salty chocolate peanut clusters. With just five ingredients and almost no hands-on work, it makes a big batch that is perfect for cookie trays, holiday parties, and homemade gifts.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 1 1/2 to 2 hours on LOW | Setting Time: 1 hour | Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Candy
- Only 5 ingredients. Peanuts, two kinds of chocolate chips, and almond bark.
- Hands-off. The slow cooker melts everything gently, with no double boiler and no scorching.
- Big batch. Plenty for gift tins, cookie exchanges, and holiday parties.
- Sweet and salty. Mixing salted and unsalted peanuts gives the perfect balance.
Ingredients
- 16 oz unsalted peanuts
- 16 oz salted peanuts
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 12 oz milk chocolate chips
- 24 oz white almond bark
How to Make Crockpot Christmas Crack
- Prepare the pans. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
- Add the peanuts. Place the unsalted and salted peanuts in the bottom of your slow cooker, spreading them evenly.
- Add the chocolate chips. Sprinkle the semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips over the peanuts.
- Add the almond bark. Break the white almond bark into smaller pieces and arrange them evenly over the chocolate chips.
- Slow cook. Cover and cook on LOW for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the chocolate and almond bark are completely melted.
- Stir. Stir the mixture gently until all the peanuts are evenly coated in smooth melted chocolate.
- Scoop. Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, drop generous spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared parchment paper.
- Space them out. Leave a little space between each cluster so they can set without sticking together.
- Let them set. Let the clusters cool at room temperature for about 1 hour, until the chocolate is firm.
- Remove from the paper. Once completely set, carefully lift the candy clusters off the parchment paper.
- Store. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until ready to serve.
- Enjoy. Share these crunchy homemade chocolate peanut clusters with family and friends.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Candy
- Do not stir too early. Let the slow cooker melt everything before stirring, then stir until smooth.
- Keep the lid on. Condensation from opening the lid can make chocolate seize.
- Work quickly when scooping. Switch the slow cooker to WARM so the mixture stays scoopable.
- Add sprinkles right away. For a festive look, add holiday sprinkles before the clusters set.
Easy Variations
- Different nuts: Swap some of the peanuts for cashews, pecans, or almonds.
- Add pretzels: Stir in broken pretzel pieces after melting for extra crunch.
- Peanut butter twist: Add 1/2 cup peanut butter chips with the chocolate.
How to Store Christmas Crack
Store the clusters in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks. In a warm kitchen, keep them in the refrigerator so the chocolate stays firm. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months and thaw in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is almond bark?
Almond bark is a vanilla-flavored candy coating sold in blocks in the baking aisle. Despite the name, it does not contain almonds. White candy melts or white chocolate can be used instead.
Can I cook it on HIGH?
LOW is best. Chocolate can scorch on HIGH, especially around the edges of the slow cooker.
Why is it called Christmas crack?
It is a popular nickname for addictive holiday candies that are hard to stop eating once you start.
More Easy Homemade Candy
- Easy Crockpot Candy
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Clusters
- Georgia Browns
- Oklahoma Nut Candy
- Maple Vanilla Candied Pecans
- Christmas Crack Toffee (Saltine Cracker Toffee)
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