Description
Rich chocolate peanut clusters deliver a classic confection that combines smooth chocolate with crunchy roasted peanuts. Delightful homemade treats melt in your mouth, offering sweet comfort in each bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 ml) roasted peanuts (salted or unsalted)
- 1.5 cups (255 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk/dark chocolate)
- 0.5 cup (85 g) white chocolate chips (optional, for a swirl effect)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) coconut oil or vegetable shortening (for smooth melting)
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) vanilla extract
- 0.25 tsp (1.25 ml) sea salt (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Chocolate Preparation: Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring at 30-second intervals until smooth and glossy. Infuse with vanilla extract for depth of flavor.
- Peanut Integration: Gently fold roasted peanuts into the molten chocolate, ensuring complete and even coating of each nut within the rich, silky mixture.
- Cluster Formation: Artfully drop spoonfuls of the chocolate-peanut blend onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing each cluster to develop a rustic, organic shape.
- Decorative Finishing: Elegantly drizzle white chocolate over the clusters, creating intricate patterns. Sprinkle flaky sea salt across the surface to balance sweetness and add a subtle crunch.
- Setting and Storage: Refrigerate the baking sheet for 30 minutes until clusters firm completely. Once solidified, transfer to an airtight container, where they can be stored at room temperature for one week or refrigerated for up to three weeks, maintaining their exquisite texture and flavor.
Notes
- Select High-Quality Chocolate: Choose premium semi-sweet chocolate chips with at least 60% cocoa content for deeper, richer flavor and smoother melting.
- Control Melting Temperature: Melt chocolate slowly and gently to prevent seizing or burning, using 30-second microwave intervals and stirring thoroughly between each interval.
- Manage Peanut Texture: Use roasted, unsalted peanuts for optimal crunch and ensure they are completely dry to prevent chocolate from becoming grainy or separating.
- Optimize Cooling Process: Allow clusters to set in a consistent, cool environment like the refrigerator, ensuring even hardening and preventing chocolate bloom or uneven texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 168
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg