If you have a sweet tooth and love a little crunch in every bite, the Peanut Marshmallow Clusters Recipe is going to be your new best friend. Imagine silky smooth chocolate and butterscotch melting together, hugging salty roasted peanuts and fluffy mini marshmallows that add just the right amount of chewiness. These bite-sized treats are effortless to prepare but pack a punch of delightful flavors and textures that everyone will adore. Whether it’s for a casual snack or a crowd-pleasing dessert, this recipe never fails to impress!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Peanut Marshmallow Clusters Recipe plays a starring role, creating a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. The blend of chocolate and butterscotch adds richness and sweetness, while the salted peanuts bring a wonderful crunch and a savory balance. Mini marshmallows introduce a soft, pillowy contrast that makes these clusters absolutely irresistible.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Use good quality chips for a deep chocolate flavor and smooth melting.
- Butterscotch chips: Add a warm, buttery sweetness that complements the chocolate perfectly.
- Butter: Helps melt the chips into a creamy consistency and binds all the ingredients.
- Mini marshmallows: Bring softness and a fun texture that contrasts the crunch from peanuts.
- Salted roasted peanuts: Salt balances the sweetness and provides a satisfying crunch to every bite.
How to Make Peanut Marshmallow Clusters Recipe
Step 1: Melt the Chips and Butter
Start by placing the semi-sweet chocolate chips and butterscotch chips together in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add the butter on top. Melting these together creates your luscious base. Microwaving in short 30-second bursts with stirring in between ensures everything melts evenly without burning. You want a smooth, glossy mixture that’s perfectly blended.
Step 2: Mix in the Salted Peanuts
Once the chocolate and butterscotch mixture is silky and combined, stir in the salted roasted peanuts. Make sure they’re completely coated with the chocolatey goodness. This step guarantees every nugget will have that sweet-salty flavor that’s so addictive in these clusters.
Step 3: Fold in the Mini Marshmallows
Now, gently fold in the mini marshmallows. The key here is to be delicate so you don’t melt them too much; you want the fluffy texture to remain intact, adding a delightful chewiness to your clusters.
Step 4: Form Your Clusters
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking. Then, drop spoonfuls of the peanut-marshmallow mixture onto the sheet, shaping them into clusters. Don’t worry about perfect shapes — the rustic look adds to their charm!
Step 5: Chill Until Set
Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step helps your Peanut Marshmallow Clusters Recipe firm up nicely so they hold together beautifully when served. Once set, they’re ready to be enjoyed.
Step 6: Serve and Store
Serve your clusters chilled or allow them to come to room temperature for a softer bite. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent them from becoming sticky.
How to Serve Peanut Marshmallow Clusters Recipe
Garnishes
These clusters are perfect as they are but feel free to elevate them with garnishes like a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt for an extra pop of flavor or a drizzle of white chocolate for some visual contrast and sweeter notes.
Side Dishes
Pair your Peanut Marshmallow Clusters with a cup of hot coffee or creamy hot chocolate for a cozy treat. They’re also fantastic alongside fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, turning a simple dessert into a delightful experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange the clusters in mini paper cups or on a decorative platter lined with colorful parchment paper. You can also stack them in a clear jar as a gift idea, tied with a festive ribbon to share this delicious Peanut Marshmallow Clusters Recipe with friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover clusters store beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature away from heat or humidity. They will stay fresh and tasty for up to a week, making it easy to grab a sweet bite whenever the craving hits.
Freezing
If you want to keep these clusters longer, freeze them in a single layer on parchment paper, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag or container. They can last up to 3 months and will thaw quickly at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
Since these clusters are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, reheating isn’t necessary. If the chocolate firms up too much in the freezer, just let the clusters sit for 10-15 minutes to soften naturally before serving.
FAQs
Can I use different types of nuts instead of peanuts?
Absolutely! Cashews, almonds, or pecans would all work well, offering their unique flavors and textures while still providing that delightful crunch.
What can I do if I don’t have butterscotch chips?
If you can’t find butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips are a great substitute. They’ll give a similar sweetness and creamy texture to your clusters.
Can I make these clusters vegan?
Yes! Use dairy-free chocolate and butterscotch chips, vegan butter, and check that your marshmallows are gelatin-free. That way, everyone can enjoy this Peanut Marshmallow Clusters Recipe.
How long do these clusters keep fresh?
Stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container, they stay fresh for about a week. For longer storage, freezing is recommended.
Is there a way to reduce the sweetness in this recipe?
To tone down the sweetness, consider using dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet and reducing the amount of butterscotch chips slightly. Adding more salted peanuts can also help balance the flavors.
Final Thoughts
This Peanut Marshmallow Clusters Recipe is one of those easy, joyful treats that always gets everyone smiling. Its blend of textures and flavors is comforting yet exciting, perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself. Trust me, once you whip up these clusters, they’ll quickly become a favorite in your treat rotation. Go ahead and give them a try—you’re going to love every bite!
Print
Peanut Marshmallow Clusters Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (melting and chilling time included separately)
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: About 20 clusters
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these easy-to-make Peanut Marshmallow Clusters, combining the rich flavors of semi-sweet chocolate, butterscotch, and salted roasted peanuts with soft, mini marshmallows. These sweet and crunchy clusters are perfect as a snack or dessert and require no baking, making them simple and quick to prepare.
Ingredients
Chocolate Mixture
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 2 tablespoons butter
Add-ins
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 ½ cups salted roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Combine chocolate and butterscotch chips with butter: In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and butterscotch chips, then place the butter on top to prepare for melting.
- Microwave and melt the mixture: Heat in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring well between each session until the mixture is smooth and fully melted without any lumps.
- Mix in peanuts: Stir the salted roasted peanuts into the melted mixture until they are thoroughly coated with the chocolate and butterscotch blend.
- Fold in mini marshmallows: Gently fold the mini marshmallows into the peanut mixture, taking care not to overmix or melt the marshmallows for the perfect texture.
- Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and prevent sticking of the clusters.
- Form clusters: Drop spoonfuls of the combined mixture onto the prepared baking sheet to create individual clusters.
- Chill to set: Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until the clusters are fully set and firm.
- Serve and store: Enjoy the clusters chilled or at room temperature. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Ensure not to overmix the marshmallows to keep their shape and texture.
- Use salted roasted peanuts for balanced sweetness and saltiness; unsalted can be used but may require a pinch of added salt if desired.
- Clusters can be stored at room temperature if kept in an airtight container, but refrigeration extends shelf life.
- Substitute semi-sweet chocolate with dark or milk chocolate to adjust sweetness level to your preference.
- For a nut-free version, consider substituting peanuts with toasted sunflower seeds or pretzel pieces.
