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Crockpot candy is the no-fuss treat that’s perfect for holiday platters, gifting or anytime you want something sweet and satisfying without much effort. Made with a mix of creamy chocolate, nuts, and peanut butter or butterscotch chips, this recipe is as easy as it gets. Everything melts together in the slow cooker, and the result is a batch of rich, nutty chocolate clusters that taste like you spent way more time than you did. It’s an ideal treat for beginners and busy bakers alike.
Crockpot candy is a rich, nutty, sweet treat made with peanuts, chocolate and peanut butter or butterscotch baking chips. They’re quick to prepare and great for sharing.
Got a sweet tooth? You might also like old-fashioned divinity candy, chocolate covered cherries, Take 5 bites, and candy apples.
Why You’ll Love It
Hands-off prep: Let the slow cooker do all the melting while you relax.
Feeds a crowd: One batch makes about 50 generous clusters.
Perfect for gifting: Easy to portion, pack and share with friends or family.
Versatile flavors: Choose from peanut butter or butterscotch baking chips, or use both. It’s your call.
Freezer-friendly: Hide away some extras to enjoy later without any loss of texture.
Slow Cooker Candy Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Chocolate chips: Semisweet chocolate chips form the rich base of the candy.
Chocolate almond bark: Helps the mixture set up properly and gives a smooth finish.
Roasted salted peanuts: Add crunch and a salty bite to balance the sweetness.
Unsalted peanuts: Balance the saltiness while adding more texture.
Baking chips: Peanut butter or butterscotch chips add extra sweetness and flavor depth.
How to Make Crockpot Candy
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Layer the peanuts: Spread both types of peanuts evenly in a large Crockpot.
Add the chocolate: Break almond bark into pieces and layer with chocolate chips and baking chips.
Melt and stir: Cook on low until fully melted, then stir to combine into a smooth mixture.
Scoop the candy: Use a cookie scoop (I used this one!) to portion onto a wax paper or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Set and store: Let the candy cool completely at room temperature or chill in the fridge until firm.
Substitutions and Variations
Swap the chips: Use white chocolate, caramel or dark chocolate chips to change up the flavor.
Add toppings: Sprinkle in some sea salt, crushed pretzels, chopped dried fruit, toffee bits, colorful sprinkles, crumbled graham crackers, or mini marshmallows before the candy sets.
Peanuts: Cashews, almonds or pecans work well in place of, or with, the peanuts. You can also use just salted or just unsalted peanuts instead of both.
Chocolate chips: Choose from semi sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or even white chocolate chips.
Chocolate almond bark: Substitute Ghirardelli dark chocolate melting wafers or a Swiss, Belgian or German chocolate bar. You could also try white almond bark (or banana bark!)
Make it festive: Add colored holiday sprinkles, colorful candy melts, a crushed candy cane, or seasonal colored chocolate peanut M&Ms for holiday treats, holiday parties or themed events.
Serving Suggestions
With a drink: Enjoy homemade sparkling strawberry lemonade or a pineapple mango smoothie with your candy.
For dessert: It’s a great dessert after any kind of main dish from cobb salad to a hearty beef au jus.
As a sweet treat: Savor it as it is or pair with another sweet snack, perhaps Texas sheet cake cookies.
How to Store Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy
Store: Store Crockpot candy in an airtight container at room temperature, away from light and heat. It should be fine for up to 5 days. You can also store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Freeze: Store them in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months and thaw or enjoy them as frozen treats.
Thaw: Defrost them at room temperature or in the fridge overnight.
Top Tips
Use a liner in the Crockpot: Makes cleanup even easier after everything is melted.
Stir thoroughly: Ensures even coating and smooth texture across all clusters.
Check after an hour: Because every Crockpot is different, don’t forget to check the mixture to make sure it’s not burning on the bottom. I find the nuts can burn if you don’t stir the mixture after the first hour is up.
Scoop quickly: Candy sets fast once stirred, so have your prepared baking sheets ready before turning off the heat.
Crockpot Candy FAQs
Yes, you can melt the ingredients in a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water or in short bursts in the microwave.
It depends how large you make the clusters. I used a 2-tablespoon size cookie scoop and got about 50.
Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe
Crockpot Candy
Equipment
- Slow Cooker 7-Quart
- Cookie Scoop 2-Tablespoon
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces peanuts, unsalted
- 16 Ounces roasted peanuts, salted
- 24 Ounces chocolate chips, semisweet
- 24 Ounces almond bark, chocolate
- 1 Cup baking chips, peanut butter or butterscotch
Instructions
- Spread the peanuts in a Crockpot in an even layer.
- Break the chocolate almond bark into squares and add to the slow cooker, along with the chocolate chips and peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips.
- Cover and cook for an hour on low or until the chocolate and peanut butter chips melt.
- Stir to combine. If it’s not quite melted then cover with lid again and cook on low for another 15 to 30 minutes at a time, until everything is melted and smooth.
- Turn the slow cooker off and line a pair of large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Using a 2-tablespoon sized cookie scoop, make clusters immediately and arrange them on the baking sheet.
- Allow the candy to set on the counter at room temperature for an hour or until set. For quicker setting, put it in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes.
Notes
Stir thoroughly: Ensures even coating and smooth texture across all clusters.
Check after an hour: Because every Crockpot is different, don’t forget to check the mixture to make sure it’s not burning on the bottom. I find the nuts can burn if you don’t stir the mixture after the first hour is up.
Scoop quickly: Candy sets fast once stirred, so have your prepared baking sheets ready before turning off the heat.
Nutrition
Crockpot candy is the go-to sweet snack when you need something fast, festive and incredibly easy. With just a handful of ingredients and almost no active prep time, you’ll have a huge batch of chocolatey, nutty clusters perfect for holiday trays, gift boxes or whenever you want to satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether you use peanut butter chips or go the butterscotch route, you’ll want to make this recipe again and again.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
