Crockpot Christmas Crack is a delightful holiday treat that combines salty peanuts, rich chocolates, and colorful sprinkles to create a sweet and crunchy candy that melts in your mouth. This recipe is not just a festive delight but also an easy-to-make dessert that can bring joy and festive cheer to your holiday gatherings.
Every holiday season, I look forward to creating treats that fill the air with the sweet scent of chocolate and bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Making Crockpot Christmas Crack has become a cherished tradition in our family. It reminds me of cozy winter evenings spent around the fire, sharing stories and laughs over cups of hot cocoa, with the crackle of the crockpot quietly working its magic in the background.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Christmas Crack Recipe
- Simplicity: Just combine the ingredients in a crockpot and let it do its magic.
- Perfect for Gifting: This treat is ideal for sharing and gifting during the holiday season.
- Customizable: Easily tweak it with different nuts or chocolates to surprise your taste buds every time.
- Kid-Friendly: A fun recipe that kids can help make, spreading the holiday spirit.
Ingredient Notes
Salted Peanuts and Unsalted Peanuts: Using both salted and unsalted peanuts balances the overall flavor of the candy, providing a perfect salty bite that complements the sweet chocolates.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter Chips, and White Chocolate Chips: This trio of chips ensures a rich and multi-layered taste that makes each bite interesting.
Christmas Sprinkles: Adds a festive touch and can be customized in colors to fit different themes or occasions.
How to Make Crockpot Christmas Crack Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crockpot
Layer the peanuts at the bottom of the crockpot, ensuring a mixed spread of salted and unsalted peanuts.
Step 2: Layer the Chips
Carefully add the bags of semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and white chocolate chips one at a time over the peanuts, spreading them out evenly.
Step 3: Slow Cook
Set your crockpot on low and cook the mixture for 2 hours without stirring.
Step 4: Stir the Melting Chips
After the initial cooking time, stir the melted chips and peanuts thoroughly to ensure they are well combined.
Step 5: Final Melting
Cover the crockpot again and continue cooking on low for an additional 30 minutes.
Step 6: Spoon the Mixture
Using a spoon, drop the candy mixture onto parchment-lined baking sheets or into mini cupcake liners.
Step 7: Add Sprinkles and Cool
Sprinkle the festive Christmas-colored sprinkles over the soft candy. Allow the candies to harden before serving by setting them aside to cool at room temperature.
Storage Options
Store this candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, keep it refrigerated for up to a month, or freeze for up to three months. Ensure the candy is wrapped tightly to maintain freshness and texture.
Variations and Substitutions
- Switch out peanut butter chips for butterscotch chips for a caramel twist.
- Add a mix of different nuts like almonds or cashews for added crunch and flavor variety.
- Use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for a more intense chocolate flavor.
- For a non-nut version, substitute the peanuts with pretzel pieces.
What to Serve With Crockpot Christmas Crack
- Hot Cocoa: Perfect for dipping the crack candies.
- Coffee: A hot cup of coffee pairs wonderfully with the rich flavors of the candy.
- Ice Cream: Serve over plain vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.
- Nutty Fruit Salad: Serve a refreshing fruit and nut salad on the side for balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of nut?
Yes, feel free to substitute or mix different types of nuts per your taste.
How long does it take for the candies to harden?
Generally, it takes about 1-2 hours at room temperature, but you can hasten the process by refrigerating them for about 30 minutes.
Is it safe to leave the crockpot unattended?
Yes, crockpots are designed to cook safely for extended periods, even when unattended.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare and store the candy in an airtight container up to a month before your event.
Expect to enjoy a sumptuous treat that offers the right balance of salty and sweet, enhanced by the festive look of Christmas sprinkles. The delightful crunch of peanuts followed by the melt-in-your-mouth chocolate layers makes Crockpot Christmas Crack an irresistible holiday candy that’s both pleasing to the palate and easy on the eyes.
Crockpot Christmas Crack
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
Salted Peanuts and Unsalted Peanuts
- Peanuts mixed varieties
Chocolate Chips Combination
- 1 bag Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 bag Peanut Butter Chips
- 1 bag White Chocolate Chips
Christmas Sprinkles
- Christmas Sprinkles
Instructions
- Layer the peanuts at the bottom of the crockpot, mixing salted and unsalted varieties.
- Add the chocolate chips bags one by one over the peanuts, spreading them evenly.
- Cook on low for 2 hours without stirring.
- Stir the melted chips and peanuts thoroughly after initial cooking.
- Cover and continue cooking on low for 30 more minutes.
- Drop the candy mixture onto parchment-lined sheets or into cupcake liners.
- Sprinkle Christmas sprinkles over the candies and let them cool to harden before serving.