Jolly Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters Recipe

Sweet holiday magic happens when chocolate peanut butter clusters meet festive m&m candies.

Every bite promises a delightful crunch that sparks childhood memories.

Colorful red and green m&ms dance across rich, creamy peanut butter surfaces.

Crafting these clusters requires minimal effort but delivers maximum deliciousness.

Simple ingredients come together quickly, creating a treat you can whip up in minutes.

Melted chocolate blends smoothly with peanut butter, forming irresistible bite-sized morsels.

Sprinkled m&ms add playful bursts of color and sweetness that make these clusters impossible to resist.

Dive into this simple recipe and watch smiles light up the room.

Why Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters Are Fun to Share

• Whip up these delightful clusters in just 15 minutes with simple microwave melting and minimal mixing steps.
• Engage children in pressing colorful M&Ms and creating chocolate clusters, making it a perfect family holiday activity.
• Bright red and green Christmas M&Ms transform ordinary chocolate clusters into a cheerful, seasonal dessert that looks stunning on any party platter.
• Skip complicated baking processes with this simple recipe that requires no oven, making it stress-free for busy holiday cooks.

What You’ll Need to Make These Holiday Bites

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Provides rich chocolate flavor and base for the clusters.
• White Chocolate Chips: Adds creamy sweetness and creates a smooth texture.
• Coconut Oil: Helps chocolate melt smoothly and creates a glossy finish.

• Peanut Butter: Brings creamy richness and nutty flavor to the clusters.
• Roasted Peanuts: Adds crunch and extra nutty taste, enhancing overall texture.

• M&M Candies: Provides festive color, sweetness, and Christmas-themed decoration. Choose holiday color mix for extra festive look.

How to Form and Chill Peanut Butter Clusters

Step 1: Prepare Baking Surface

Grab a baking sheet and cover it with parchment or wax paper, creating a smooth landing zone for your delicious treats.

Step 2: Melt Chocolate Magic

• Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• White chocolate chips
• Coconut oil

Zap in short 20-30 second bursts, stirring between each interval until chocolate transforms into a silky smooth mixture.

Step 3: Blend Creamy Goodness

Stir peanut butter into the melted chocolate, creating a rich, glossy base that will make taste buds dance with joy.

Step 4: Add Crunchy Companions

• Roasted peanuts
• Half of the M&M candies

Ensure everything gets a delicious chocolate coating.

Step 5: Create Delightful Clusters

Scoop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, forming small cluster mountains of deliciousness.

Step 6: Decorate with Colorful Gems

Gently press remaining M&M candies on top of each cluster, adding a festive pop of color.

Step 7: Chill and Set

Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes until clusters become firm and solid.

Step 8: Store and Enjoy

Transfer clusters to an airtight container. Keep in refrigerator up to 2 weeks or at room temperature for 1 week.

Smart Tips for Chocolate Melting and M&M Sticking

• Customize Chocolate Coating: Use dark, milk, or white chocolate chips for different flavor profiles and textures.
• Prevent Chocolate Seizing: Add coconut oil to keep melted chocolate smooth and prevent clumping during mixing.
• Enhance Crunch Factor: Toast peanuts before adding to boost their nutty flavor and create extra crispiness in clusters.
• Adjust for Dietary Needs: Swap regular chocolate with dairy-free alternatives and use gluten-free M&Ms for allergy-friendly version.
• Control Portion Size: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform, perfectly sized chocolate clusters.

How to Store These Clusters for Freshness and Crunch

• Store clusters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness up to 2 weeks. Keep layers separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Let clusters sit at room temperature for easy enjoyment, maintaining quality for about 1 week. Ensure container is sealed tightly to protect against moisture.
• Wrap clusters individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months for longer storage. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before serving.
• Bring refrigerated clusters to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before eating to restore optimal crunchiness and allow flavors to develop fully.

Festive Pairings That Work with These Sweet Treats

• The rich, spiced holiday drink perfectly complements the chocolate and peanut butter clusters, creating a festive flavor explosion.
• Its deep, fruity notes and gentle spices balance the sweet and nutty chocolate clusters, offering a sophisticated adult treat.
• The cool mint and warm chocolate enhance the peanut butter's creamy texture, delivering a delightful holiday dessert experience.
• The smooth coffee and caramel undertones provide a luxurious contrast to the crunchy clusters, elevating the overall taste sensation.

Flavor Variations for Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters

• Healthier Nutty Clusters: Replace semi-sweet chocolate with dark chocolate for antioxidants, use natural peanut butter without added sugar, and swap regular M&Ms with organic chocolate-covered nuts.
• Vegan Chocolate Clusters: Substitute chocolate chips with dairy-free dark chocolate, use almond butter instead of peanut butter, and replace M&Ms with vegan chocolate candies or cacao nibs.
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Clusters: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, use gluten-free chocolate chips, and verify M&Ms are gluten-free or replace with alternative safe candies.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use sugar-free chocolate chips, replace peanut butter with powdered peanut butter, and choose sugar-free M&M alternatives or chopped nuts for added crunch.

Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 servings. 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters combine sweet holiday cheer with creamy peanut butter’s irresistible charm. Rich chocolate and colorful candies create a delightful treat that melts in your mouth, promising pure seasonal happiness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chocolate and Candy Base:

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup Christmas-colored M&M candies

Nut Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup roasted salted peanuts

Optional Melting Agent:

• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) coconut oil or vegetable shortening

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Instructions

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper, creating a smooth surface for the clusters.
2. Gather semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl for melting.
3. Microwave the chocolate mixture in short bursts, stirring between each 20-30 second interval to ensure smooth, even melting without scorching.
4. Incorporate peanut butter into the molten chocolate, whisking until the mixture becomes uniform and glossy.
5. Fold roasted peanuts and half of the colorful M&M candies into the chocolate-peanut butter blend, ensuring each ingredient is thoroughly coated.
6. Using a spoon, carefully drop small mounds of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, creating rustic cluster shapes.
7. Embellish each cluster by strategically placing additional M&M candies on top, creating a festive and visually appealing finish.
8. Chill the baking sheet in the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes, allowing the clusters to solidify and develop a firm texture.
9. Once set, transfer the clusters to an airtight storage container, preserving their freshness in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or at room temperature for 1 week.

Notes

• Swap regular peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for nut-free alternatives that maintain the creamy texture and rich flavor.
• Use dairy-free chocolate chips to transform this recipe into a vegan-friendly treat that everyone can enjoy.
• Experiment with different chocolate types like dark chocolate or milk chocolate to create unique flavor variations that suit individual preferences.
• Prevent chocolate from seizing by ensuring utensils are completely dry and melting slowly at reduced power to maintain smooth, glossy consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: Approximately 24 servings.
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 75mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 0mg