Description
Festive Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters combine holiday cheer with creamy peanut butter and colorful candies. Quick and simple desserts delight guests with minimal preparation and maximum flavor for seasonal celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup roasted salted peanuts
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup Christmas-colored M&M candies
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) coconut oil or vegetable shortening
Instructions
- Preparation: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a smooth foundation for the clusters.
- Melting Chocolate: Combine semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in short 20-30 second intervals and stirring between each burst until smoothly melted.
- Incorporating Peanut Butter: Whisk peanut butter into the molten chocolate, creating a glossy, uniform mixture that blends seamlessly.
- Mixing Ingredients: Gently fold roasted peanuts and half of the M&M candies into the chocolate-peanut butter blend, ensuring complete and even coating of each ingredient.
- Forming Clusters: Carefully drop small, rustic mounds onto the prepared baking sheet using a spoon, creating artful cluster shapes with varying sizes.
- Decorating: Strategically place remaining M&M candies on top of each cluster, adding a festive and visually appealing finishing touch.
- Chilling: Refrigerate the baking sheet for 30 minutes, allowing the clusters to solidify and develop a perfect firm texture.
- Storage: Transfer the completed clusters to an airtight container, storing in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or at room temperature for 1 week to maintain freshness and quality.
Notes
- Prevent Chocolate Burning: Melt chocolate slowly in short 20-30 second microwave intervals, stirring consistently to maintain smooth texture and prevent scorching.
- Ensure Proper Coating: Gently fold nuts and M&Ms into chocolate mixture, making certain every ingredient gets evenly distributed for balanced flavor in each bite.
- Temperature Control Matters: Refrigerate clusters for exactly 30 minutes to achieve perfect firm consistency without over-hardening the chocolate.
- Storage Strategy: Keep clusters in airtight container, choosing refrigeration for longer preservation or room temperature for softer texture, with maximum 2-week freshness window.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 166
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg