The Easy 4-Ingredient Crock-Pot Candy I’m Making Every Christmas From Now On

As far back as I can remember, my grandmother has made homemade candies to give as gifts. Everything from English toffee to candied nuts stuffed in cookie tins lined the counters of her kitchen anytime we came to visit, especially during the holidays.

All of us grandkids would sneak pieces of homemade treats when our parents’ backs were turned, consuming way too much sugar and having an absolute blast running around her expansive property in rural Mississippi. I like to keep these memories alive by making homemade candy during the holidays to stuff into tins and gift to loved ones, and Crock-Pot candy is my favorite.

Why I Love Crock-Pot Candy

When I first came across folks making crock pot candy on TikTok, I thought it might be too good to be true. Could I really toss a few ingredients into the slow cooker and end up with delicious candy? But after I created my own version and bit into that first piece of crunchy, sweet, and salty goodness, I knew the answer was yes.

Many homemade candy recipes require you to stand over a hot stove constantly watching, stirring, and using a candy thermometer, but this candy lets the slow cooker do all the work. It’s a big hit with kids and adults alike: you really can’t miss with the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate.

The Ingredients

Crock-Pot candy is like snowflakes: no batch is exactly the same. I’ve seen folks use a variety of ingredients like pretzels, toffee bits, and even potato chips, but the base of the candy is almost always chocolate, peanut butter, and peanuts.

In my recipe, I use a mixture of semi-sweet chocolate chips and chocolate bark. The chocolate chips add a creamy, authentic chocolate flavor, while the chocolate bark helps the candy set firm without any refrigeration. My favorite chocolate chips are Ghirardelli semi-sweet, and my favorite chocolate bark is Great Value brand from Walmart.

Jif will always be my preferred peanut butter brand for candy-making because it has a well-balanced flavor and the perfect creamy texture that melts nicely. I use Great Value-brand lightly salted dry-roasted peanuts, but if you want a bigger hit of salt, the regular salted dry-roasted version works fine, too.

Variations

Crock-Pot candy has so many fun mix-in options. Some of my favorites are mini pretzels, mini marshmallows, pecans, mini Reese’s cups, caramel bits, and toffee bits. Add these in the last 30 minutes of cook time. If peanuts aren’t your favorite, substitute pecan halves, crushed pecans, or slivered almonds. You can also use mini pretzels in place of the nuts.

You can also have a lot of fun with toppings. Sprinkles, M&Ms, and crushed candy canes can be sprinkled on top of the candies before they set.

How to Make My Crock-Pot Candy

To keep the candy soft while scooping, keep the slow cooker on the warm setting until you’ve scooped all the candy. To make about 25 servings (or 70 to 75 clusters), you’ll need:

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 1/2 hours
Setting Time: 1 hour

• 2 (16-ounce) jars dry-roasted, lightly salted peanuts
• 1 (12-ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 package chocolate bark (12 ounces from a 24-ounce bag) 
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• Festive sprinkles, optional

Add the peanuts to the slow cooker first, then add the chocolate chips. Break apart the chocolate bark into its perforated squares and place on top. Cover and cook on low heat for one hour.

Add the peanut butter to the mixture and give it a thorough stir. Cover and cook for 30 minutes more. Stir until the peanuts are fully coated.

Line four 11 x 17-inch baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a 1 1/2-tablespoon cookie scoop to dole out rounded candy clusters onto the parchment paper about 1/2 inch apart. While the candy is still melty, add the sprinkles on top, if using. Allow the candy to set for about 1 hour. 

Transfer the set candy to an airtight container. Separate the layers of candy with parchment or wax paper to keep them from sticking together. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

More Holiday Treats to Make

• Peppermint Caramels
• Sugared Pecans
• Linzer Cookies