Bright, festive, and incredibly easy to make, Crockpot Easter Candy Clusters are the ultimate treat to whip up for your spring celebrations! Each bite is a gorgeous blend of creamy chocolate, crunchy peanuts, and adorable pastel candies that practically shout “Easter.” The real magic here is how the crockpot brings all these simple ingredients together with minimal effort. You’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe year after year—not just for its irresistible flavors but for the smiles it puts on everyone’s face. Whether you’re filling Easter baskets, hosting brunch, or sharing with neighbors, these charming clusters will become an instant favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s lovely about this recipe is just how approachable the ingredient list is! Every component is essential, lending its own unique taste, texture, or festive pop of color. Gather these simple items, and you’ll be on your way to making crockpot magic—a treat that tastes like a million bucks.
- White almond bark (16 oz, chopped): This is the sweet, creamy base that holds your clusters together and adds that classic smoothness.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (12 oz): These bring rich, balanced chocolate flavor and meld beautifully with the other candies.
- Peanut butter chips (12 oz): Creamy and nutty, these chips really amp up the classic peanut butter-chocolate combo we all crave.
- Dry roasted peanuts, lightly salted (16 oz): Crunchy, salty, and satisfying, these give the clusters their signature texture and a hit of nutty flavor.
- Pastel M&M’s or mini candy-coated eggs (1/2 cup): A must for that pop of Easter color—you can swap these for any seasonal candy to suit the occasion.
- Pastel sprinkles: Totally optional, but they make your Crockpot Easter Candy Clusters look so whimsical and fun!
How to Make Crockpot Easter Candy Clusters
Step 1: Layer the Ingredients in Your Crockpot
Start by chopping up the white almond bark so it will melt evenly. Then, in your slow cooker, add the almond bark first, followed by the semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and finally the dry roasted peanuts. This order helps everything melt smoothly and prevents any scorching.
Step 2: Slow Cook to Melty Perfection
Cover your crockpot and turn it to low. Let everything cook for about 1 to 1.5 hours. Check in to give it a gentle stir every 30 minutes or so, just to make sure it’s all melting evenly. When everything is glossy, smooth, and delightfully blended together, you know it’s ready.
Step 3: Let the Mixture Thicken
Once the candy base is melted, turn off the crockpot and remove the lid. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes. This gives it time to thicken slightly, which is perfect for those lovely domed clusters that hold their shape (instead of puddling).
Step 4: Scoop and Decorate the Clusters
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a spoon or small cookie scoop, drop dollops of the candy mixture onto the sheet, leaving a bit of space between each. Immediately press a few pastel M&M’s or mini eggs on top and give each cluster a sprinkle of pastel sprinkles while they’re still warm and tacky.
Step 5: Cool and Set
Let your Crockpot Easter Candy Clusters cool at room temperature until set—if you’re a bit impatient (and who isn’t?), you can pop the tray in the fridge for quicker setting. Once they’re firm to the touch, they’re ready to devour or share!
How to Serve Crockpot Easter Candy Clusters
Garnishes
Easter is all about colorful fun, so go wild with your garnishes! A scatter of pastel sprinkles or a drizzle of melted white chocolate takes your Crockpot Easter Candy Clusters to the next level. For an extra-special touch, you can add a few more mini eggs or festive confetti sprinkles just before serving.
Side Dishes
Since these clusters are sweet and rich, pair them with lighter treats like fresh fruit kabobs, tea sandwiches, or a citrusy fruit salad for an Easter spread that feels perfectly balanced. They also go beautifully alongside a platter of cookies and classic bunny-shaped marshmallow treats!
Creative Ways to Present
Nestle your clusters in pretty paper cupcake liners and arrange them in a basket lined with shredded paper for a fun, giftable display. Or, make up mini treat bags with a tag and ribbon to hand out as party favors. For an Easter brunch, stack them high on a tiered cake stand to create an edible centerpiece everyone will gush over!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Crockpot Easter Candy Clusters have cooled and set completely, transfer them to an airtight container. Layer them with sheets of parchment to prevent sticking. Keep them at room temperature for up to one week; they’ll stay delightfully chewy and crunchy the whole time.
Freezing
If you want to keep these treats on-hand beyond the holiday, you’re in luck! Place clusters in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separated by parchment paper. They’ll last beautifully in the freezer for up to 3 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
These clusters don’t need reheating, but if you want to slightly soften them (especially after freezing), leave them at room temperature for about 30 minutes. If you prefer them a little melty, just pop one in the microwave for 5–10 seconds—not a second more, or you’ll lose that perfect texture!
FAQs
Can I use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
Absolutely! Milk chocolate chips will yield a sweeter, creamier cluster. You can get creative with any chocolate chips you love, but semi-sweet keeps the flavor from becoming overpoweringly sweet.
What if I don’t have almond bark?
If almond bark isn’t available, white candy coating or even white chocolate chips can be used as a substitute. Just keep in mind that white chocolate will melt a touch thinner, so let it cool a bit longer before scooping.
Is it possible to make these clusters nut-free?
Yes! Swap out the peanuts for pretzel pieces, sunflower seeds, or even crispy rice cereal. Choose nut-free chips and candies to keep everything allergy safe and just as festive.
Can I make Crockpot Easter Candy Clusters ahead for a party?
Definitely. Since they keep so well at room temperature, you can make them a few days ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container, and they’ll still be delicious and picture-perfect on party day.
How do I prevent the chocolate from seizing or burning in the crockpot?
Layering the ingredients in the order listed and cooking on low is key! Stir occasionally, and don’t leave the crockpot unattended for more than 30 minutes at a time. If your crockpot runs hot, you can even use the “keep warm” setting instead.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like seeing friends and family light up when you bring out a batch of Crockpot Easter Candy Clusters. They’re beautiful, delicious, and so easy to make that they might just become a new holiday tradition at your house. Give them a try this Easter—you’ll be amazed how quickly they disappear!
Print
Crockpot Easter Candy Clusters Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 30 clusters 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the sweet and crunchy delight of these Crockpot Easter Candy Clusters. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a special treat, these clusters are easy to make and even easier to enjoy.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 16 oz white almond bark (chopped)
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 12 oz peanut butter chips
- 16 oz dry roasted peanuts (lightly salted)
- 1/2 cup pastel M&M’s or mini candy-coated eggs
- pastel sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to Crockpot: Add the almond bark, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and peanuts to the crockpot in the order listed.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally until melted and smooth.
- Thicken Mixture: Turn off the crockpot and let the mixture sit uncovered for 10 minutes to slightly thicken.
- Form Clusters: Drop candy mixture onto a lined baking sheet, top with M&M’s or eggs and sprinkles.
- Cool: Let the clusters cool at room temperature or chill in the refrigerator to set.
Notes
- You can use milk chocolate chips for a sweeter taste.
- Experiment with different holiday candies for variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cluster
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
