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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper, creating a smooth surface for the clusters.
- Gather semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl for melting.
- Microwave the chocolate mixture in short bursts, stirring between each 20-30 second interval to ensure smooth, even melting without scorching.
- Incorporate peanut butter into the molten chocolate, whisking until the mixture becomes uniform and glossy.
- Fold roasted peanuts and half of the colorful M&M candies into the chocolate-peanut butter blend, ensuring each ingredient is thoroughly coated.
- Using a spoon, carefully drop small mounds of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, creating rustic cluster shapes.
- Embellish each cluster by strategically placing additional M&M candies on top, creating a festive and visually appealing finish.
- Chill the baking sheet in the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes, allowing the clusters to solidify and develop a firm texture.
- 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