Spanish Peanut Clusters are the easiest homemade chocolate candy ever, and everyone goes ‘nuts’ for them! Use dark or milk chocolate to make this delicious treat.
Delicious peanut clusters can be made in minutes, and anybody can do it!
Happy Halloween everyone! it’s going to be a slow one here, my husband has to be somewhere for work and my daughter is going out so I’ll be home alone. Don’t tell anyone but I’m going to put a bowl of candy out on the porch and pretend I’m not here. I know, I’m a killjoy, but I’ve been there and done that when it comes to all the Halloween stuff and I’m kind of over it, at least for this year. I’m going to watch a movie and eat my homemade Spanish Peanut Clusters…
I still get a thrill out of making my own candy, no matter how simple it is, and this one is about as simple as it gets.
I LOVE peanut clusters, they’re the first thing I attack pick out of every candy box. I love them best with roasted Spanish peanuts — the flavor and crunch is amazing. (Spanish peanuts are the little guys, the ones with the skins still on.) I used bittersweet chocolate to bind them all together, and the result is a classic candy just as good as anything you’ll get at a fancy chocolate shop. It only takes a few minutes to make them, too, which is always a bonus.
This is a 2 ingredient recipe…so both of those ingredients count!
You can look for Spanish peanuts at your grocery store, it’s hit or miss whether you’ll find raw, like I used. But Planters sells them roasted and lightly salted, and you can definitely use those, just skip the roasting step. That little bit of salt will give these another dimension.
My chocolate comes from Equal Exchange, a wonderful company I recently discovered.
They’re headquartered in Massachusetts and they were pioneers of the Fair Trade movement back in the 80s. They partner with small farmers all over the globe to maintain better working conditions, higher incomes, sustainable growing environments, and a better product. Everybody wins. I used their Extra Dark Pananma Chocolate, it’s 80% cacao, which means it’s got tons of rich chocolate flavor, perfect for these clusters. When you purchase fair trade products you’re basically making the world a little bit better at the same time, it’s a pretty sweet deal 🙂
This particular combination of Spanish peanuts and bittersweet chocolate has a decidedly sophisticated flavor.
The skin-on peanuts and the chocolate both have a slight bitterness to them. I really like that. You can use regular peanuts and milk chocolate if you aren’t into it.
Looking for more homemade candy?
- Chocolate Hazelnut Torrone
- How to Make Homemade Ferrreo Rocher Truffles
- Easy Butter Brickle Bark
- Jewel Box Truffles
Roasted Spanish Peanut Clusters
Spanish Peanut Clusters are the easiest homemade chocolate candy ever, and everyone goes 'nuts' for them!
Prep Time:15 minutes minutes
Cook Time:12 minutes minutes
Total Time:27 minutes minutes
Ingredients
- 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut in small pieces
- 1 cup Spanish peanuts, skins on
Instructions
Set oven to 350°F.
Put the peanuts on a dry baking sheet and toast in oven for 10-15 minutes, or until you begin to smell their aroma. Let them cool. Skip this step if you are using roasted peanuts.
Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper.
Put the chopped chocolate in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave for one minute. Stir to melt. Microwave for an additional 30 seconds if necessary.
Let the heat of the bowl and chocolate help to completely melt it as you stir; don't over cook or the chocolate will seize up.
When the chocolate is completely smooth, add in the peanuts and give a quick stir to coat them.
Use a tablespoon to make little piles of the chocolate on the lined baking sheet. Let them sit until set at room temperature, or you can put them in the fridge for quicker setting.
I like to store these in the fridge.
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Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: candy, chocolate, peanut clusters
Nutrition
Serving: 1 cluster · Calories: 238 kcal · Carbohydrates: 18 g · Protein: 5 g · Fat: 17 g · Saturated Fat: 7 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 7 g · Trans Fat: 0.02 g · Cholesterol: 2 mg · Sodium: 54 mg · Potassium: 240 mg · Fiber: 3 g · Sugar: 11 g · Vitamin A: 14 IU · Calcium: 25 mg · Iron: 2 mg
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although The View from Great Island attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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Make this chocolate candy your own ~
- Use any chocolate you like, including white, blonde, or milk.
- Use any nut you like, too. I think walnuts would be wonderful. Hazelnuts, too!
Don’t forget to pin these easy Spanish Peanut Clusters!
FAQs
Spanish-type peanuts have smaller kernels covered with a reddish-brown skin. They are used predominantly in peanut candies, with significant quantities used for snack nuts and peanut butter. They have a higher oil content than the other types of peanuts which is advantageous when crushing for oil.
Why didn't my peanut clusters harden? ›
Use enough white almond bark.
I've read many recipe reviews of other Chocolate Peanut Cluster recipes complaining that their chocolate did not solidify. 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.
What are raw Spanish peanuts used for? ›
Peanuts are harvested from the soil and left to dry for four to six weeks before being inspected and graded for quality. After inspection, the nuts are shelled and processed. Spanish Peanuts are used mostly in peanut candies, nut snacks, peanut butter, and oil extraction.
Why are Spanish peanuts hard to find? ›
Maybe they aren't popular? Grocery stores track the sales of merchandise and stock items that move off of the shelves. They may have stocked Spanish peanuts at one time, found that they didn't sell well and quit carrying them. The consumer makes those decisions, the store reacts to them.
Why are Spanish peanuts so good? ›
A smaller type of peanut compared to others, Spanish peanuts are known for their red skins and nutty flavor profile. They have a slightly higher oil content, which adds to their flavor when roasted. These peanuts are almost exclusively grown out West, in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
Are Spanish peanuts a healthy snack? ›
Studies have shown that, like other nuts such as pecans, almonds and cashews – peanuts, including Spanish peanuts, can lower blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol – all of which can help prevent coronary artery disease and strokes.
How to stop chocolate from turning white after melting overnight? ›
To prevent your chocolate from blooming, keep the candy in an airtight container at about 70°F. The refrigerator is actually too humid for chocolate, so keep it in a cool part of your kitchen, like a dim pantry or on a low shelf.
Will chocolate harden with vegetable oil? ›
Adding a tablespoon of coconut oil or vegetable oil while microwaving helps the chocolate melt more smoothly and makes it the perfect consistency for dipping! The caveat here is that once cool, the chocolate won't set up quite as hard as it did to begin with due to the added fat content.
What is white candy coating? ›
It is primarily made up of sugar, vegetable oil, and milk powder, providing a consistent melt and glossy finish when heated and applied to various confectionery treats. Commonly used by home cooks and professional confectioners alike, white candy coating is ideal for dipping, drizzling, and molding into various shapes.
Is it okay to eat raw Spanish peanuts? ›
The concentration of aflatoxin must be less than 20 parts per billion to be considered safe. Any crops with higher concentrations are destroyed. In conclusion, raw peanuts are safe to eat, and in fact the many health benefits of peanuts and other tree nuts outweigh the potential health risks.
When peanuts go bad, they will develop a sour smell and may taste rancid. The texture may also change and become rubbery or mushy. If you notice any of these signs, it's best to discard the batch of nuts as they are no longer safe to eat. These are good tips when buying from bulk bins with no exp date.
Can squirrels eat raw Spanish peanuts? ›
Raw Peanuts and Squirrels:
The general consensus is that giving squirrels a steady diet of raw peanuts may not be particularly good for them; but that in moderation raw peanuts probably cause no problem whatsoever.
Are Spanish peanuts inflammatory? ›
The short answer is no, and in fact, peanuts and some peanut products like peanut butter have been shown to be anti-inflammatory.
Are Spanish peanuts good for peanut butter? ›
You can also use any kind of peanuts that you want — party peanuts, honey-roasted, unsalted, Spanish peanuts, mixed nuts, etc. Just about anything works, and the variations can be so fun!
How long does it take to grow Spanish peanuts? ›
Crunchy and sweet, Spanish peanuts are popular for confections and snacking. These Drought-tolerant plants are compact and upright, maturing in 120–130 days. Valencia.
Why are Valencia peanuts the best? ›
The dry climate and growth habit of the plants, make valencia peanuts less susceptible to aflatoxins (the toxin produced by the Aspergillus mold). Mold can still grow on any peanut if these are not stored properly.
Are Valencia peanuts healthier than regular peanuts? ›
Most peanuts are grown on the ground in moist conditions, making them susceptible to a type of mold (aspergillus flavus) that produces aflatoxin, a known carcinogen. Valencia peanuts, on the other hand, are grown in dry climates (such as New Mexico) above the ground, and do not contain this mold.
Why are Valencia peanuts better? ›
Valencia peanuts are mostly grown in New Mexico and because the climate is dry and they are grown in bushes above ground, they are less susceptible to aflatoxin.
What are the ingredients in Spanish peanuts? ›
Mix peanuts, sugar, and water together using a wooden spoon in a large pot over medium-low heat; cook, stirring constantly, until liquid is evaporated and peanuts are coated, 20 to 30 minutes.
