CROCK POT CHOCOLATE ALMOND CLUSTERS

One of my favorite treats to make in my slow cooker. Such an easy and delicious recipe to make.

HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT CHOCOLATE ALMOND CLUSTERS

The only hard part is waiting for them without peeking under the lid.

STEP 1: LAYER INGREDIENTS INTO THE SLOW COOKER

Place raw almonds in the bottom of the slow cooker. Then add the chocolate: first, add the chunks of German chocolate, followed by semisweet chips and white almond bark.

STEP 2: COVER WITH A PAPER TOWEL, THEN THE LID

Add 2-3 select-a-size paper towels (see photo) over the slow cooker, followed by the lid. The paper towels prevent moisture from forming and dripping into the chocolate.

If water comes into contact with the melted chocolate, it will seize up and become very lumpy/grainy, so keep those pesky droplets out.

STEP 3: COOK ON LOW FOR 1 HOUR — NO PEEKING

Next, turn your slow cooker to LOW. Resist the urge to peek under the lid, and walk away from your slow cooker for one hour.

I know, I know, it’s very difficult to resist. Trust me, everything is going to melt beautifully, and the last thing you want to do is introduce moisture to the pot.

The white almond bark on top acts as a buffer that helps regulate the heat, ensuring that your chocolate will be perfectly melty when you’re ready to scoop them up onto parchment paper.

STEP 4: STIR TO COMBINE

Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the lid, then give the clusters a stir. You may see some solid pieces of chocolate, which is normal.

Stir them around until they melt and coat the almonds.

STEP 5: REPLACE PAPER TOWEL AND COOK 15 MORE MINUTES

Add another (dry) paper towel, put the lid back on the pot and allow clusters to cook an additional 15 minutes on LOW to ensure all of the chocolate has melted and clusters are the perfect consistency for scooping.

STEP 6: SCOOP ONTO PARCHMENT PAPER AND LET SET

Use a spoon or ice cream scoop to remove clusters, placing them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow clusters to set before serving.

They also store well if you’d like to make a few extras, perfect for gifts.

Use a tablespoon cookie scoop to drop chocolate almond candy clusters onto parchment-lined baking sheets, making sure not to crowd them too close together so they set without touching. Move quickly so that the chocolate doesn’t start to set before you’ve made all of the clusters.

If necessary, turn the slow cooker back on warm, not on high, or you could burn the chocolate, to loosen it up. Repeat until all of the chocolate and almonds are scooped.

You should get approximately 60-70 candy clusters from this recipe.

HELPFUL TIPS

• Line the slow cooker with a slow cooker liner to make the mess factor a LOT easier. Instead of trying to scrape all of the chocolate out of the cooker, simply take out the liner and toss.
• Line your baking sheets BEFORE opening up the slow cooker. Everything needs to be ready to go because you’re going to be working quickly.
• This will keep any moisture from getting into your chocolate.
• These clusters will set at room temperature in 2-3 hours, or speed up the process and chill for 30-45 minutes.

STORAGE AND MAKE-AHEAD

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks at room temperature. Line the container with wax/parchment paper, adding more sheets of wax/parchment paper for each layer of clusters.

Clusters will keep for about 3 weeks stored in the refrigerator. There may be some blooming or condensation when stored in the fridge.

This is completely normal and won’t effect the taste. If you want to store clusters in the freezer, allow them to set/firm up at room temp, still on the lined baking sheets, and then transfer to zip-top freezer bags.

Clusters will keep well in the freezer for 2-3 months, maintaining their original taste and texture. They’re delicious pulled straight out of the freezer, too.

Make ahead tip: Double this recipe and scoop clusters 1-2 weeks before holiday get-togethers and store them in the freezer. Reach into the freezer as needed during the party.

FAQ

CAN I USE ROASTED ALMONDS INSTEAD OF RAW?

You can but they may end up being a little over toasted, possibly bitter. They will be in your hot crock for an hour which may cook the nuts.

I think that roasted almonds with a little salt would be better than unsalted because the salt goes well with chocolate.

MY CHOCOLATE IS LUMPY AFTER STIRRING.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Any moisture will cause the chocolate to seize. It can be difficult to revive seized chocolate.

Sometimes adding a TINY amount of veg. shortening and stirring will help but I have found it’s usually better to start over. Be sure to use a DRY spoon when stirring.

Be careful when you remove the lid of the crock that no moisture drips from the lid into the crock. You might want to lay a paper towel over the chocolate and then cover with lid to avoid any condensation falling into the melted chocolate.

Your clusters won’t be as pretty but will still taste great.

CAN I DOUBLE THE RECIPE?

Yes I think you could fit a double batch into a 6 quart crock. It will take about the same amount of time to make them, maybe 10 minutes longer in the first step if you have the crock really full.

CAN I SKIP THE ALMOND BARK?

The almond bark helps the clusters to set up firm. If you don’t add it I think the clusters will be pretty soft and sticky.

You can substitute white chocolate melting wafers (like the Ghirardelli brand) instead of almond bark. White chocolate chips probably won’t work because they don’t melt down the same as almond bark or the melting wafers.

HOW MANY CLUSTERS DOES THIS RECIPE MAKE?

When I scoop them with a spoon I get about 60-70.

These crock pot chocolate almond clusters have a wonderfully rich taste, better than milk chocolate, I think. Using the combination of German chocolate, semisweet chips and almond bark ups the flavor.

The entire process takes about 75 minutes, which is great if you’re planning to make them as a gift. Enjoy!

MORE CROCK POT CANDY RECIPES

• Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters, which is one of my most viewed recipes of all time
• Crock Pot Chocolate Turtles – a crock pot twist on these classic candies that combine pecans, caramel and chocolate.
• White Chocolate Crock Pot Clusters – a lighter, cuter cluster that holds up well in a gift box.
• Crock Pot Grinch Clusters – the ultimate Dr. Seuss-inspired, green-infested cluster that’ll have your little ones begging for more.

You can use your slow cooker for drinks, too. Try this deliciously easy Crock Pot Hot Chocolate recipe next time you have a get-together.