Peanut Caramel Clusters Recipe

If ever there was a treat that could instantly elevate your snack game, it’s this Peanut Caramel Clusters Recipe. Picture a chewy, golden-salty caramel hugging crisp, roasted peanuts, all enrobed in silky chocolate and topped with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Every bite is a crunchy, gooey, and impossibly satisfying mouthful. Whether you need a homemade gift, a grown-up movie snack, or a little pick-me-up with your coffee, these clusters deliver happiness in a bite-sized package. Once you taste these, you’ll find yourself inventing reasons to make them again and again!

Peanut Caramel Clusters Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love most about the Peanut Caramel Clusters Recipe is how unfussy the ingredient list is—yet each item plays a starring role in taste and texture. Every component, from the sugar’s caramelized crunch to the salty pop of peanuts, builds serious flavor with zero filler. Here’s what you’ll need (and why each one matters):

  • Granulated sugar: The essential foundation for our homemade caramel, providing sweetness and that deep, toasty flavor.
  • Unsalted butter: Gives the caramel its rich, creamy body; using unsalted lets you control the overall saltiness.
  • Heavy cream: Adds luxurious silkiness and helps create a soft, chewy caramel texture.
  • Coarse kosher sea salt: Balances the sweetness and makes those caramel and peanut flavors pop.
  • Unsalted dry roasted peanuts: Brings crunch, a savory edge, and that classic nutty flavor that’s perfection with caramel and chocolate.
  • Milk chocolate melting wafers (or dark chocolate): A smooth, luscious coat that ties all the flavors together—choose your favorite intensity.
  • Sea salt flakes (optional): For a gourmet finish that delivers an extra hit of salt and visual sparkle.

How to Make Peanut Caramel Clusters Recipe

Step 1: Make the Caramel

Start by pouring your granulated sugar into a small saucepan and heat it over medium, stirring constantly. Don’t walk away! The sugar will first clump, then melt and turn a luscious amber brown. When it’s liquefied, drop in the butter (watch for bubbling, it’s normal and expected), and keep stirring until it’s totally incorporated. Add the heavy cream while stirring, give the caramel a quick boil for a minute, and then pull it off the heat to stir in your coarse kosher salt. Let this caramel cool to room temperature—first on the counter, then in the refrigerator for at least an hour to thicken beautifully.

Step 2: Mix with Peanuts and Scoop

Once the caramel has cooled and is thick but scoopable, transfer it to a mixing bowl and add in the dry roasted peanuts. Give everything a good stir so every peanut gets its share of gooey caramel glory. Grab a standard cookie scoop and drop clusters onto a lined baking sheet—wax paper, parchment, or a silicone mat all work well. Pop the baking sheet in your freezer for 15 minutes to help the clusters firm up—the colder they are, the easier they are to dip in chocolate!

Step 3: Dip in Chocolate

Melt your milk (or dark) chocolate wafers in either a double boiler or the microwave—just be careful not to overheat. Once the chocolate is glossy and smooth, use a fork to dip each cluster, allowing excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl before placing them back on your lined tray. Sprinkle immediately with sea salt flakes if you’re feeling fancy. Repeat with all the clusters, then set the whole tray in the fridge to chill for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate shell is set and irresistible.

How to Serve Peanut Caramel Clusters Recipe

Peanut Caramel Clusters Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

A pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each cluster is classic—and for good reason! It contrasts with the caramel’s sweetness and makes the nuts taste extra toasty. You could also drizzle with a little extra melted chocolate (try white for contrast) or even a dusting of cocoa powder for an upscale touch.

Side Dishes

These clusters are the main event, but they shine on a dessert board beside fresh strawberries, dried apricots, or a handful of crisp pretzels. For a cozy dessert moment, pair a couple with a scoop of vanilla or coffee ice cream. If you love to play with textures, try serving the clusters alongside crunchy biscotti or salty potato chips for a sweet-and-salty mix.

Creative Ways to Present

The Peanut Caramel Clusters Recipe looks extra charming when wrapped in little cellophane bags tied with ribbon—perfect for gifting. Arrange clusters in mini cupcake liners on a platter for a party-ready look, or box them up for an easy homemade present that feels almost too beautiful to eat. For holidays, try adding colored candy sprinkles or dusting with edible gold for that wow factor!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These clusters keep really well! Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. If it’s particularly warm in your house, pop them in the fridge to keep the chocolate crisp and caramel firm, but always let them come to room temperature before enjoying for the best flavor and texture.

Freezing

You’ll be happy to know that the Peanut Caramel Clusters Recipe freezes beautifully. Simply place the finished clusters in a single layer on a lined tray to freeze them solid, then stack in an airtight container with parchment between each layer. They’ll keep for up to three months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving so the caramel is just right—chewy, not icy!

Reheating

If you love a slightly gooey center, try letting the clusters sit out for a bit before eating. While it’s not necessary to “reheat” these, you can pop a cluster in the microwave for 5–8 seconds if you want the caramel warm and just barely melty. Be careful—any longer and the chocolate shell could start to lose its shine!

FAQs

Can I use other nuts instead of peanuts?

Absolutely! While the classic Peanut Caramel Clusters Recipe is all about that salty peanut texture, you can swap in pecans, cashews, or almonds for a fun twist. Just make sure to use dry roasted nuts so the caramel adheres well and the flavors stay balanced.

Is it necessary to use a candy thermometer for the caramel?

Nope! This recipe is wonderfully user-friendly—you just need to watch for the sugar to melt and the caramel to turn that nice golden brown. As long as you stir constantly and don’t let anything burn, you’ll get perfect results every time.

Can I double the Peanut Caramel Clusters Recipe?

Yes, and honestly, you might want to! If you’re making these for a crowd or gifting, simply double all ingredients. Just remember to use a larger saucepan for the caramel, and you might need to work in batches when dipping since the chocolate sets quickly.

Can I make these clusters dairy free?

With a few tweaks, yes! Substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative, use full-fat coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and look for dairy-free chocolate melting wafers. The flavor will shift a bit but you’ll still get that delightful caramel-nut-chocolate combo.

Why did my caramel turn grainy?

This can happen if the sugar crystals didn’t melt fully or if the mixture was stirred too vigorously after adding the cream. Next time, just keep the heat gentle, stir patiently, and let everything combine smoothly. Even if it’s not textbook perfect, it’ll still taste amazing!

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for that one homemade sweet that makes everyone light up, the Peanut Caramel Clusters Recipe is it. There’s something magical about the way salty, sweet, crunchy, and creamy come together in these little bites. So gather your ingredients, invite your favorite taste testers, and enjoy making a treat you’ll want to share again and again!

Print

Peanut Caramel Clusters Recipe

Indulge in the sweet and salty goodness of these Peanut Caramel Clusters. A perfect blend of crunchy peanuts, creamy caramel, and rich chocolate, these clusters make a delightful treat for any occasion.

  • Author: reem
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: Makes about 24 clusters 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Mixing, Freezing, Dipping
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Caramel:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 tsp coarse kosher sea salt

Clusters:

  • 2 1/4 cups unsalted dry roasted peanuts
  • 2 cups milk chocolate melting wafers (or dark chocolate*)
  • 1 tsp sea salt flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Caramel: Heat sugar in a saucepan, add butter, then cream and salt. Cool completely.
  2. Clusters: Mix caramel with peanuts, scoop onto a baking sheet. Freeze. Dip in melted chocolate, sprinkle with sea salt. Refrigerate to set.

Notes

  • You can customize these clusters by using dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
  • Ensure the caramel is completely cooled before mixing with the peanuts.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cluster
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 90mg
  • Fat: 11g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 5mg

Keywords: Peanut Caramel Clusters, Dessert Recipe, Chocolate Treat, Sweet and Salty Snack

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