This is chocolate bark with a different shape. The idea of making your own chocolate bar is so appealing in my opinion, and if you, like me, thought for years that certain flavors or candy could only be achieved by mega companies with complicated, expensive machinery, the excitement and surprise after the first bite is multiplied by a gazillion.
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Oh, they don’t look as flawless or with tiny ridges in the surface, or have a nice wavy pattern or shiny coating since I didn’t template my chocolate or whatever, but they taste superb and you know exactly what the ingredient list is. Which is always a big plus.
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I love peanuts with chocolate. Yeah, who doesn’t right? Peanut butter and chocolate, a flavor combination that can make me eat a lot and not get sick by all the sweetness, one flavor I actually crave, though I tend to pair with dark chocolate mostly, like these chocolate peanut fudge squares, snickerdoodle bites or the killer brownies. I am a huge fan of dark, semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate.
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But today we’re having a Chocolate Party, the group started by Roxana, and the extra ingredient is chocolate.
That means chocolate with chocolate, and I opted for all three of them, white, milk and bittersweet. Last month we paired it with coconut, and I made the coconut white chocolate truffles.
That means chocolate with chocolate, and I opted for all three of them, white, milk and bittersweet. Last month we paired it with coconut, and I made the coconut white chocolate truffles.
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There is no shortage of recipes waiting to be made, but this one was waiting since 1987. I’m not kidding, the magazine, along with a pile of others, was given to me at that time by a college friend’s father who was about to throw them away, and I have it bookmarked since then. So don’t ask my age. Do your own math.
The mix of chocolates is up to you. I increased the dark chocolate and decreased the white, to make it less sweet, and it turned out so great tasting. Very similar to a chocolate peanut bar we have here, but better since I used good chocolate.
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Chocolate peanut clusters
The better the chocolates you use, the better the final result. If you want to temper your chocolate here's a link
Servings: 20 clusters
Ingredients
- 7.5 oz 220g white chocolate
- 7.5 oz 220g bittersweet chocolate
- 3 oz 85g milk chocolate
- 1 ¾ cup 200g roasted peanuts
Instructions
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Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Melt all three chocolate together in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, or in a bowl over water, being careful the chocolate doesn't touch the water.
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Add peanuts and mix very well, until it´s all coated. Drop by tablespoons onto prepared sheets. Let harden at room tº, which will take a few hours at least, or in the refrigerator.
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Keep refrigerated, well covered.
adapted from Bon Appetit
Oh I am really curious how does the mixture of all 3 chocolates taste.. 🙂 I wouldn't even let these cute things to set :))))
Oh, this is so my type of treat. It's so easy with four ingredients. I can't wait to try these. 🙂
Yet another treat that would relentlessly call my name at all hours of the day and night. I think I need to make it so I can work on strengthening my resistance skills. Yea right. I'll make them just to enjoy such a marvelous treat.
Oh I adore the rustic shapes over machine made any day! What a marvelous idea for Valentine's Day!
All that I need with this recipe is a giant cup of coffee. chocolate peanut clusters in the morning sound like a good way to start the day!
These are so pretty, Paula! I agree – homemade/handmade chocolates beat manufactured chocolate any day, hands down. I used to LOVE LOVE LOVE Ferrero Rocher (even as recent as last year, I'd devour them happily). I just ate one a few days ago and didn't like it at all. I thought it tasted like sugar as opposed to good quality chocolate. I like to think it's because my palate is so refined and discerning 😉 (aka – I'm annoyingly picky). You don't need fancy squiggles on top of these – they look fantastic and since I love dark chocolate, the darker the better, I bet they tasted amazing too.
I have the same thoughts about my palate, especially since I started this blog. Next time I´ll make these all dark chocolate and with some interesting zest or extract…
When I was little bitty my mom used to take me shopping, which I hated, and to keep me happy, she'd buy me a quarter pound of chocolate covered peanuts at JCPenneys. The girl behind the candy counter would weigh them out in a little brown paper bag. It makes me sad that Penneys no longer has the candy counter but these would be even better than the originals, I'm sure. Clusters instead of individually covered peanuts=better every time. Also, no shopping necessary. 🙂
Chocolate covered peanuts were the junk food to eat at the movies when I was a kid. They came in boxes, and I bet they´re still sold, I just never looked for them anymore!
Oh, man, these look amazing, Paula! Bill will actually eat peanuts…wonder if he'd eat these????
OMG! Its like you read my mind!
These are wonderful, Paula! They look incredible! What an awesome chocolate party treat!!!
What a cute and delicious chocolatey treat 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Mixture of three choclats ? how amazing !
Triple chocolate, nice! I love the combo of choco and peanuts!
paula darling, i won't ask your age if you don't ask mine 😉
i too have recipes i've kept forever, thinkign, "one day…". these look like they were worth the wait.
Oh Paula….how did you manage to have any left to photograph! I don't think these would have made it to a plate! My favorite candy bars are those with nuts! A perfect way to combine chocolate! : )
So cool and interesting that you melted all three chocolates together. I don't see that in recipes very often.
Love chocolate with peanuts – and all that chocolate…yum!
Oh man. These look amazing! I love peanuts and chocolate.
Does mixing the chocolates somehow help to temper them?
I guess you could try melting some of it and then tempering it with the rest of the chocolate. It´s a good idea Laura.
This sounds so good and is such a simple and great way to get rid of those chocolate cravings!
Paula, what a truly decadent "triple chocolate treat" – these Clusters look delightful. I particularly like the way you arranged them on the cake stand! Very nice presentation indeed!
P.S.: I am looking forward to your Focaccia with the roasted Grapes.
Who doesn't love peanut clusters and with triple chocolate oh…yes! Wonderful pictures and great recipe.
I think this would be good with any nuts! Yours are so pretty, too! ~ David
Paula,
oh my! I honestly love this! I too love chocolate and peanuts together. . perfect pairing. . love that you used 3 kinds of chocolate here. . I love everything about chocolate. . and will take it in any shape or form but especially LOVE peanut clusters! I have all of the ingredients at home now. i'm making these!!
What delicious nut clusters!
meravigliosi!! grazie per la ricetta
Triple chocolate!!! You're killing me! Can I place an order for box? 🙂
You pull up more old recipes to resurrect, always posting something from an old Gourmet magazine or Bon Appetit. I love that about your Post. Sometimes I think we all (meaning chefs who write cookbooks and we food bloggers) are trying too hard to re-invent the wheel. Some of the recipe concoctions are pretty far out. There is nothing not to like about these heavenly clusters except what they will do to my hips.
These clusters look so good, Paula! Love the triple chocolate!
These look great- So glad to be posting with your through the chocolate party 🙂
i could munch on clusters every day. Love your triple version! Beautiful and delicious Paula!
I would assume that the mixture of dark chocolate and white chocolate will produce milk chocolate… Have to try this recipe to see if this is true 😀
Hi Paula,
I made these the other night and they turned out great! Really easy and tasty.
I hope things are going better since the flood.
Christine
Would love to make these for Christmas gifts and put into cute treat bags or boxes but what about the "keep refrigerated" instruction?
Tina
Since it's chocolate, it depends on the temp where you store it. If you put it in a cool place they will keep fine. Go to this link, http://hipfoodiemom.com/2013/02/14/diy-chocolate-two-ways-happy-valentines-day/ ,where my friend Alice used paper liners which made them easier to transport!
Perfect ~ love the liners tip! Thanks so much and thanks for such a prompt reply. Can't wait to make these clusters ~ I know my husband will go nuts (no pun intended) over them! 🙂
so glad you're making them!