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!

Peanut Clusters- Classic Holiday Neighbor 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?

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 Peanut Clusters in the Instant Pot or Microwave

Making Peanut Clusters in the Instant Pot

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 this all the time!

Put about 2 cups of water into the liner of the Instant Pot. Turn the Instant Pot onto Sauté HIGH. Place a large glass bowl on top of the Instant Pot (as shown in the pictures). Add chocolate to the bowl and stir while the chocolate melts.

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

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.

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.

How to Make Peanut Clusters- Melting Chocolate

Either melt that in the microwave or place in the bowl on top of your Instant Pot.

If choosing the microwave method: Microwaving for 30 second intervals, stirring in between each one until smooth.

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.

Stir occasionally until the chocolate is smooth.

Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, add in 4 cups of peanuts.

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.

Once you’ve chosen your peanuts, add them to the melted chocolate.

Stir to coat the peanuts generously in the chocolate.

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.

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. ?

Store either in the fridge or at room temperature in an air tight container for up to 5 days.

YIELD: APPROX. 4 DOZEN PEANUT CLUSTERS