These 4-ingredient Christmas Chocolate Peanut Clusters are the easiest, most delicious homemade holiday candy for gifting to friends, neighbors, and family this season.
There is nothing I love more than a homemade gift that comes straight from the heart (and the kitchen!). However, during the busy holiday season, I am always looking for treats that are simple to make in large batches but still feel special enough to package up for friends, family, and neighbors.
That is exactly why Christmas Chocolate Peanut Clusters have become my absolute go-to for holiday candy gifting. They strike the perfect balance of effortless and impressive. With just four simple ingredients and one pot, you can whip up a massive batch of salty-sweet goodness that everyone raves about. Whether you are a classic chocolate lover or a fan of creamy white chocolate, I’ve got you covered with two delicious versions in this post!
You will love Christmas Chocolate Peanut Clusters because:
- Only 4 Ingredients: Made with simple ingredients
- One-Pot Wonder: Cleanup is a breeze because everything happens in one pot.
- Perfect for Gifting: They look beautiful in a mason jar with a ribbon or a festive tin.
- The Perfect Balance: The combination of roasted salted peanuts and creamy chocolate hits that sweet-and-salty craving perfectly.
- Kid-Friendly: My little one loves helping “decorate” these with festive sprinkles!
Christmas Chocolate Peanut Clusters are made with:
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: This provides that classic, rich chocolate flavor that balances perfectly with the salty nuts.
- White Melting Chocolate: You can use wafers, vanilla almond bark, or bars for a creamy, sweet variation that looks like snow.
- Coconut Oil: Just a touch helps the chocolate melt smoothly and gives the final clusters a beautiful glossy finish.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: This binds the mixture together and adds an extra layer of nutty richness.
- Roasted Salted Peanuts: The salt is key here—it cuts through the sweetness and provides the perfect crunchy texture.
How to make Christmas Chocolate Peanut Clusters:
- Melt: Add your chosen chocolate (semi-sweet or white), peanut butter, and coconut oil to a large pot.
- Heat: Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Pro tip: Keep a close eye on it and stir often to ensure the chocolate doesn’t burn!
- Mix: Once the mixture is completely smooth and melted, remove from heat and fold in the roasted salted peanuts until they are fully coated.
- Scoop: Use a cookie dough scoop to drop mounds of the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Decorate: While they are still wet, add your favorite holiday sprinkles on top!
- Set: Let them harden completely. The semi-sweet chocolate version can take a bit longer to set than the white chocolate. If you’re in a pinch, pop the tray in the fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes to speed things up.
Substitutions:
- Swap the Nut: If you aren’t a fan of peanuts, roasted almonds or cashews make a delicious, elevated alternative.
- Change the Chocolate: You can use milk chocolate chips for a sweeter treat or dark chocolate chunks for a more intense, rich flavor.
- Nut-Free Option: For a nut-free school safe version, try using sunflower seed butter and roasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
Tips for Perfect Peanut Clusters:
- Keep the heat low to avoid scorching the chocolate
- Stir often for a smooth, glossy finish
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized clusters
- Let them fully set before packaging
Taste and Texture::
These clusters are the ultimate salty-sweet bite. The chocolate coating is smooth and creamy, giving way to the satisfying, hearty crunch of the roasted peanuts. The addition of peanut butter makes the chocolate softer and richer than a standard chocolate bar, so it melts in your mouth instantly.
Serve and Store:
Serve: These look wonderful arranged on a holiday platter mixed with other cookies, or piled high in a festive bowl.
Gifting: I love packaging these in mason jars tied with red twine, or in cellophane bags with a handwritten tag. Because they are firm, they travel well and are great for gifting to neighbors.
Store: Keep these in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If your house is very warm, you can store them in the fridge to keep them snappy, but they are best enjoyed at room temp.
Freeze: Yes, you can freeze them! Place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter before eating.
A Sweet Holiday Tradition:
This is the kind of recipe that becomes part of the season — made year after year, shared generously, and remembered long after the holidays pass.
If you’re looking for an easy homemade Christmas candy to gift or enjoy with your family, these peanut clusters are always a win. Let me know if you make them — I’d love to hear who you gift them to 🤍
Other Recipes You May Enjoy:
- Easy Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
Christmas Chocolate Peanut Clusters (Easy Holiday Candy for Gifting)
Ingredients
White Chocolate Peanut Clusters
- 24 oz white melting chocolate wafers, vanilla almond bark, or bars for melting
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- 3 cups roasted salted peanuts
- sprinkles (optional)
Classic Chocolate Peanut Clusters
- 24 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- 3 cups roasted salted peanuts
- sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Add the chocolate, peanut butter, and coconut oil to a large pot.
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning, until fully melted and smooth.
- Stir in the peanuts until evenly coated.
- Use a cookie dough scoop to portion the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Optional: add festive sprinkles on top while the clusters are still warm.
- Let harden completely, then enjoy.
- Tip: The chocolate clusters take a bit longer to harden than the white chocolate ones. If you’re short on time, place the tray in the fridge or freezer to speed things up.
