Rich Peanut Clusters Recipes

PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt candy coatings, stirring often until blended. Stir in the peanuts until coated. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until serving.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan over low heat, cook and stir candy coating and chips until melted and smooth. Cool for 10 minutes; stir in peanuts., Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm, about 45 minutes.

RICH PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Stir in vanilla and butter. Add peanuts; mix well., Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined pans. Refrigerate until set. Store in an airtight container.

EASY PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Microwave chocolate and butterscotch chips in a 2 quart glass dish for 5-6 minutes on 60% power, or until melted.
• Watch carefully!
• (They don't actually melt, but look very shiny).
• Add peanuts and mix well.
• Drop by tablespoons on waxed paper.
• Cool in refrigerator.
• Store in covered container in refrigerator.
• I have used different chocolate chips other than Toll House, and they do not work well.

PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Combine chocolate chips and peanut butter chips in top of double boiler. Stir frequently over low to medium heat until melted; add peanuts and stir.
• Drop by teaspoon full on wax paper. Allow to cool.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over hot, not simmering, water, stirring frequently with a rubber spatula to ensure even melting. Remove the double boiler from the heat, remove the top pan containing the chocolate, wipe it dry, and set aside briefly. Replace the water in the bottom pan with lukewarm tap water, set the pan of chocolate on top of this, and stir gently to reduce the temperature of the chocolate (10 to 15 minutes). It will begin to get a bit thicker as it cools. If using a thermometer, it should register 95°F.
• Again remove the top pan of chocolate from the water and replace the water in the bottom pan with tap water that is a few degrees warmer than the chocolate. If using the same thermometer to check the temperature of the chocolate and the water, be sure to dry it completely so no water mixes with the chocolate. Set the pan of chocolate over the pan of warm water. The warm water will hold the chocolate at the correct temperature so that it does not cool too fast.
• Stir the peanuts into the chocolate, making sure to thoroughly coat them with chocolate.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Spoon out clusters 1 inch in diameter onto the sheet, leaving 1 inch of space between them. Let the clusters set up at room temperature, or chill them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, then place them in paper candy cups. In a tightly covered container wrapped in several layers of aluminum foil, the clusters will keep for 1 month in the refrigerator or 2 months in the freezer. The clusters are best served at room temperature.
• VARIATION
• Substitute milk chocolate for the bittersweet chocolate.