Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Candy is an easy and salty-sweet recipe, which is made with roasted peanuts and crushed pretzels. It’s the perfect holiday treat, ready in about an hour and 45 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Candy Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, diced
- 16 oz. almond bark
- 12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 10 oz. dark chocolate chips
- 10 oz. peanut butter chips
- 3 cups salted, roasted peanuts
- 1 1/2 cups lightly crushed, ridged potato chips
- 1 1/2 cups crushed pretzel twists or skinny sticks
- 1 cup red and green coated candies, such as M&Ms (optional)
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (optional)
How To Make Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Candy
- Melt the Chocolate: Place the butter in the base of a slow cooker. Chop the almond bark into small pieces and add it to the slow cooker along with the semi-sweet, dark, and peanut butter chips. Cover and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes.
- Stir and Finish Melting: Remove the lid, stir the mixture, then reduce the heat to LOW. Continue to cook for another 10 to 20 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until all the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Add the Salty Mix-ins: Turn the slow cooker to the “WARM” setting. Gently stir in the peanuts, crushed potato chips, and pretzels until everything is evenly coated in the chocolate.
- Scoop and Garnish: Line three sheet trays with parchment paper. Using a spoon, drop mounded scoops (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared trays. If using, gently press a few M&Ms into the top of each candy cluster and add a dash of sprinkles.
- Set and Store: Let the candy rest at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the chocolate is completely firm.
Recipe Tips
- How do you keep the chocolate from burning? The low, gentle heat of the slow cooker is the secret to this recipe. Don’t be tempted to rush the process on high heat. Stirring every 10 minutes during the final melting stage is also crucial to ensure it melts evenly without scorching.
- Can I use different nuts or chips? Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can swap the peanuts for cashews or almonds. You can also use different kinds of chocolate chips, like milk chocolate or butterscotch.
- What is almond bark? Almond bark is a vanilla-flavored confectionery coating, not true white chocolate. It’s designed to melt very smoothly and set up firm at room temperature, which makes it perfect for this type of candy.
- How do I get a good texture with the mix-ins? For the best texture, don’t crush the potato chips and pretzels into a fine dust. You want a mix of small and slightly larger pieces to provide a satisfying crunch in every bite.
What To Serve With Crock Pot Candy
This is the ultimate standalone holiday treat. It’s perfect for:
- Packaging in decorative tins or bags as a homemade Christmas gift.
- Adding to a holiday cookie platter.
- Serving in a big bowl at a holiday party or open house.
- A simple, sweet and salty snack for a movie night.
How To Store Crock Pot Candy
- Refrigerate: For the best results, store the finished candy in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Place sheets of parchment paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together. It will keep for up to 1 week.
Crock Pot Candy Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 piece of candy
- Calories: 245 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Sugar: 20g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Do I have to use a slow cooker?
Yes, it’s highly recommended. The slow, gentle, and indirect heat of a slow cooker is the key to melting the different types of chocolate and almond bark together perfectly without scorching them, which can easily happen in a microwave or on the stove.
Why did my chocolate seize or get chalky?
This almost always happens when a small amount of water gets into the melting chocolate. Make sure the inside of your slow cooker and all your utensils are completely dry before you begin.
Can I freeze Crock Pot Candy?
Yes, this candy freezes very well. Once it’s firm, place it in a freezer-safe container or bag with parchment paper between the layers. It will keep for up to 3 months. Let it thaw at room temperature before serving.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Turkey Pot Pie Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Instant Pot Short Ribs Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Green Beans Recipe
Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Candy Recipe
Description
The ultimate easy holiday treat, this slow cooker candy features a rich blend of melted chocolates loaded with salty peanuts, potato chips, and pretzels.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place butter, almond bark, and all the chocolate chips in a slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes.
- Stir, then reduce heat to LOW and cook for another 10-20 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until fully melted and smooth.
- Turn the slow cooker to u0022WARM.u0022 Gently stir in the peanuts, potato chips, and pretzels.
- Drop mounded spoonfuls of the mixture onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Top with optional Mu0026Ms and sprinkles.
- Let the candy sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes until completely firm.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThe most important tip for this recipe is to use the low, gentle heat of the slow cooker to melt the chocolate perfectly without scorching it.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis recipe is incredibly versatile; feel free to swap the peanuts for other nuts or add different types of chocolate chips.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the best texture, don’t crush the pretzels and potato chips into a fine powder; you want larger, crunchy pieces.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eStoring the finished candy in single layers separated by parchment paper in the fridge is the best way to keep them fresh and prevent sticking.u003c/liu003e
