Crockpot Christmas Candy

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Crockpot Christmas Candy

This incredibly easy “dump-and-go” slow cooker candy makes a delightful holiday gift or party treat. It creates a colorful, sweet-and-salty mix of chocolate-covered peanuts, pecans, and festive M&M’s.

Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 1.5 – 2 hours (on LOW) | Cool Time: 1 hour | Makes: About 10 cups

Ingredients

· 1 (16 oz) jar salted dry-roasted peanuts
· 1 (16 oz) jar salted dry-roasted pecans (or more peanuts)
· 1 (12 oz) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
· 1 (12 oz) bag milk chocolate chips
· 1 (10 oz) bag white chocolate chips
· 2 (10 oz) packages peanut butter chips (or use more chocolate chips)
· 2 (10 oz) packages festive M&M’s (Christmas colors)
· 1 (10 oz) package mini pretzel twists (optional, for salty crunch)
· 1 block (4 oz) Gulf Wax or paraffin wax (optional, for glossy coating & easy handling)

Instructions

  1. Layer in the Slow Cooker

· Turn a 4-6 quart slow cooker to LOW.
· Add ingredients in exactly this order to prevent burning:

  1. Peanuts & Pecans
  2. All chocolate chips & peanut butter chips
  3. Chopped Gulf Wax (if using – this makes the candy shiny and easy to break apart)
    · Do NOT add the M&M’s or pretzels yet.
  4. Cook & Stir

· Cover and cook on LOW for 1 hour.
· After 1 hour, stir gently to combine. The chocolate will still look mostly solid—that’s okay.
· Cover and cook for another 30-45 minutes on LOW, until everything is melted and smooth when stirred.
· Do not overcook or cook on HIGH—this can cause the chocolate to seize or burn.

  1. Add Mix-Ins & Cool

· Once melted and smooth, turn off the slow cooker.
· Stir in the M&M’s and pretzels (if using) until evenly distributed.
· Quickly drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto wax paper, parchment paper, or foil lined baking sheets. You can also spread it into a single layer on a large, lined sheet pan to break into chunks later.
· Let cool completely at room temperature until hardened (about 1-2 hours). For faster cooling, refrigerate for 30 minutes.

  1. Break & Store

· Once completely set, break into clusters or leave as individual candies.
· Store in an airtight container at cool room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Key Success Tips

· LOW Heat Only: High heat will scorch the chocolate.
· Layering Order: Nuts first protect the chocolate from direct heat.
· Wax is Optional: Paraffin wax makes the candy shiny, firm, and easy to handle, but you can omit it for a softer, pure-chocolate texture.
· Add M&M’s Last: Adding them during cooking will cause the colors to bleed.
· Stir Gently: Over-stirring can cause the chocolate to become grainy.

Storage & Gifting

· Room Temperature: Store in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.
· Refrigerator: Store in airtight containers for up to 3 weeks.
· Freezer: Freeze in layers separated by parchment paper for up to 3 months.
· Gift Idea: Package in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon, or in festive tins or mason jars.

Popular Variations

· Almond Joy Style: Use almonds, coconut flakes, and dark chocolate chips.
· Turtle Cluster: Use pecans only, and add caramel bits with the chocolate.
· Rocky Road: Add mini marshmallows with the M&M’s.
· Peppermint Crunch: Use crushed candy canes instead of M&M’s.
· Triple Nut: Use a mix of peanuts, pecans, and almonds.
· Pretzel Heavy: Double the pretzels for extra salty crunch.

Enjoy this effortless, crowd-pleasing holiday candy that your slow cooker does all the work for!

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