Crock Pot Salty Sweet Candy is the easiest dessert around! Add festive sprinkles for a tasty Christmas treat packed with peanuts and pretzels!
Crockpot Salty Sweet Candy is one of my go-to holiday treats. It’s crazy easy to make and everyone loves it. It’s a great DIY gift for neighbors, a yummy addition to any Christmas cookie tray, and a perfect poppable treat for your holiday party! I usually find myself munching on sweet and salty candy with a Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha all winter long.
CROCK POT SALTY SWEET CANDY
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My family loves cookie platters. We have about 20 families we like to deliver treats to each holiday season. One recipe I can always count on to mix it up is Crockpot Candy.
This year, I went with white candy instead of my regular semi sweet chocolate and. I love the red, green, and white colors together so much! This is one of my family’s favorite crockpot Christmas candy recipes and it makes a HUGE batch!
Some people like to use unsalted peanuts in this dessert. I really like to use dry roasted peanuts they have a slightly salty coating to them for this candy. The pretzels aren’t too salty either and work perfectly. I am a huge fan of all things salty and sweet!
Crockpot Candy Ingredients
CHOCOLATE: I like to use milk chocolate for this recipe, but you can definitely swap for dark or milk chocolate. For this crockpot candy recipe, I use a combination of white chocolate. White chocolate candy coating (AKA candy melts or white almond bark), white chocolate baking bars, and white chocolate chips are the perfect mix for a smooth, creamy coating.
ADD-INS: Dry-roasted peanuts and pretzel pieces are my go-to ingredients for crockpot chocolate candy. That being said you could also use roasted walnuts, almonds, or even pistachios!
I would love to say this is a “dump it and forget it” kind of recipe. Alas, because we’re working with chocolate and candy, it requires a bit more attention. You can put the ingredients in your slow cooker and leave them for an hour to do other things! I usually set a timer because I don’t want to forget the crockpot Christmas candy and ruin the whole batch.
If you loved this recipe, be sure to try some of my other best crockpot recipes. They’re sure to be a hit with your family!
How to Make Crockpot Candy
- First, add all the white chocolate to your slow cooker on low and cover. Leave the mixture alone until it’s fully melted.
- Next, stir the white chocolate mixture and add your peanuts and pretzels. Mix everything together with a wooden spoon until it’s fully covered in white chocolate.
- Then, I used a small cookie scoop to portion the candy onto parchment paper (a silicone mat works fine too). And because I can’t leave things alone around Christmas, I put sprinkles on to make them extra festive! This really is the easiest crock pot candy recipe!
I would not use waxed paper when these candies. The chocolate is still quite warm when it comes out of the slow cooker. You don’t any wax transferring to the bottom of your clusters.
Can Crockpot Candy Be Frozen?
This slow cooker candy will last up to 3 weeks in an airtight container in your pantry or refrigerator. It’s a great treat to make early in December and nibble on until Christmas.
If you want to freeze Crockpot Candy, you can do that too! Make sure it’s completely set before freezing on baking sheets covered in parchment paper or a silicone mat.
After a few hours, transfer the candy to a freezer-safe container for up to 18 months! I’ve never made it a full year and a half with frozen Crockpot chocolate candy, but you can!
When you’re ready to eat it, just thaw and enjoy!
Can You Make Crockpot Candy in the Microwave?
The slow cooker is definitely the best way to make this crock pot candy clusters recipe. If you don’t have a crockpot, you can totally use the microwave in a pinch, too!
Put all the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and melt for 10 to 15 seconds at a time. After 2 to 3 rounds, everything should be melted. Stir the chocolate to make it super smooth and add the peanuts and broken pretzels to the mix.
Combine everything and drop spoonfuls of candy on parchment paper. Garnish with sprinkles or leave plain!
Want more easy bite-sized dessert recipes?
- Pretzel Turtles
- Coconut Cream Truffles
- Irish Cream Mousse Cups
- Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
- Slow Cooker Chocolate Turtles
- More dessert recipes…
Tools used to make Crock Pot Salty Sweet Candy
Slow Cooker: I love this crock pot! The lid is very secure and I can pack it up and take it on the go without worry. This slow cooker is a workhorse in my kitchen and has worked great for years!
Baking Sheet: A nice big baking sheet is a must have for any kitchen. This half pan sheet is large than a regular cookie and works great for anything you’re baking.
Silicone Mat: I use a silicone mat on my baking sheet practically every time I bake. The mat makes for easy cleanup and my foods don’t stick to the pan.
Cookie Scoop: Cookie scoops are my favorite way to portion dough and batter when I’m baking. This set has 3 different sizes so I get the right amount in each scoop.
*This post originally posted on 12/02/2016.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds white chocolate candy coating
- 6- ounce white chocolate baking bar
- 12 ounces white chocolate chips
- 3 cups dry roasted peanuts
- 2 ½ cups pretzel twists broken in small pieces
- Festive sprinkles if desired
Instructions
- Place white chocolate candy coating, white chocolate baking bar, white chocolate chips in a slow cooker. Put lid in place.
- Heat candy for 1 to 1.5 hours on LOW until melted. Uncover and stir the chocolate mixture.
- Stir in peanuts and broken pretzels until completely coated in the candy.
- Drop by spoonfuls (I like to use a small cookie scoop) onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. If desired, top candy with sprinkles while chocolate is still soft. Allow candy to set for at least one hour to set up.
Nutrition
Erin says
Amazing!!! I only made a third of the recipe as I didn’t want that large of a batch and now I wish I had made the full recipe. I have a feeling these are going to go really quick!
I did let the chocolate go a bit long because I was baking something else but I was able to really scoop out the discolored (burned?) areas.
Super easy and super delicious, I will definitely be making these again.
Pamela DeLuca says
How long will they stay fresh in the bag? will it last a week f I make them today?
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Pamela! They should, I’d keep them in the fridge so they don’t get soft and attach to each other.
Ruth says
What is white chicolate baking bar? All I have is white chicolate bark.
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Ruth! The baking bar is this: https://amzn.to/2DQq88k
tee says
Is this candy good to make ahead of time for Christmas?
Julie Kotzbach says
Absolutely!!
Melissa says
If you are making this with regular chocolate what would you use instead of the white chocolate candy coating? I would like to make this with regular milk chocolate.
Thank you.
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Melissa! This is the combo we use if you’re not wanting to work with white chocolate: https://realhousemoms.com/slow-cooker-chocolate-turtles/
Hope this helps!
Larae says
If I make this in advance how long is it good for?
Aubrey Cota says
You can get approx. 5 days in the refrigerator, if you choose to freeze you will just want to go through the process of laying them out on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for a couple hours then transfer into a bag.
Adele Aiken says
Could this be made just using white chocolate or do you need the 3 types of chocolate
Aubrey Cota says
It works best with all three types. They each have a different level of fat in them which helps to coat and keep it in “candy” form, as well as melt in your mouth. It really does make a difference!
Anita k says
How far in advance can these be made?
Aubrey Cota says
You can make these up to 4 days in advance, they will usually keep in the fridge that long…. well that’s if your family doesn’t get to them first!
Arin says
What Is the reason for all the different kinds of white chocolate? Can you just use all chocolate chips?
Aubrey Cota says
It works best with all three types. They each have a different level of fat in them which helps to coat and keep it in “candy” form, as well as melt in your mouth. It really does make a difference!
Kat says
Does this candy freeze well?
Aubrey Cota says
Yes if you follow the traditional freezing process.
Maria dube says
is it necessary to use 3 different kinds of chocolate?
Aubrey Cota says
It works best with all three types. They each have a different level of fat in them which helps to coat and keep it in “candy” form, as well as melt in your mouth. It really does make a difference!
Karen says
This was delicious and it did make a huge batch!! How long will this stay fresh if kept in the fridge?
TIA
Aubrey Cota says
If you think they will last long enough, you can get about a week in the fridge.
Charlene says
If making these ahead of time to traywith what is best way to store them ?
Aubrey Cota says
In the fridge, helps so they don’t melt. You can line a cookie sheet with parchment paper if you’d like.
Ann Marie says
Can you do this with milk chocolate?
Aubrey Cota says
Yes! Use a almond bark and milk chocolate chips. The different level of fats that each type of chocolate offers helps to keep them in candy form as well as melt in your mouth! This is the combo we use if you’re not wanting to work with white chocolate: https://realhousemoms.com/slow-cooker-chocolate-turtles/
Hope this helps!
Diane Spangler says
LOOKS GOOD
Kelly says
I cant wait to try
Tammy Tereck says
how about using candy melts
Aubrey Cota says
Yes candy melts can be used!
Rhonda says
Can you use milk chocolate instead?
Aubrey Cota says
Yes! Use a almond bark and milk chocolate chips. The different level of fats that each type of chocolate offers helps to keep them in candy form as well as melt in your mouth! This is the combo we use if you’re not wanting to work with white chocolate: https://realhousemoms.com/slow-cooker-chocolate-turtles/
Hope this helps!
Angela says
What is the difference between almond bark and a baking bar? Thanks!
Aubrey Cota says
Almond bark (also known as vanilla flavored candy coating) is a chocolate-like confection made with vegetable fats instead of cocoa butter and with coloring and flavors added. … The confection is commonly used to cover or dip fruits, nuts, cookies, or crackers, in place of real chocolate.
Stephanie says
What is white chocolate candy coating?
Julie @Real Housemoms says
Hi Stephanie! White chocolate candy coating is a vanilla candy, like CandyQuik or Almond Bark. Wilton makes this product too.
Ann says
Does condensation build up in the crock pot? Thank You
Aubrey Cota says
You may get a little bit of condensation on the lid, just remove it straight off and don’t tilt it over the crockpot it shouldn’t be a problem.
Denise Jackson says
I make many deserts in my crockpot. I put a paper towel first, then the lid. This will cut down on the condensation.
Aubrey Cota says
Thank you.
Susan Bryan says
How long will this keep?
Aubrey Cota says
If you choose to freeze you will just want to go through the process of laying them out on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for a couple hours then transfer into a bag. They should keep for about 4 months frozen or up to 5 days in the fridge.
Katherine Hendley says
Could you use walnuts or almonds instead of peanuts.
Aubrey Cota says
Certainly, if that’s the flavors you prefer. Try toasting them for a few minutes in a pan first, it really brings out the flavor!