Chewy Peanut Clusters

Submitted by Chef #1550854

"I was about 9 years old riding with my mom in our old blue 70's Chevy station wagon when this recipie came on the radio. My mom, trying to keep her eyes on the road, reached for her purse and asked me to look for a pen and piece of paper and wright it down. Since then it's been my Christmas staple that everyone looks forward to. They're perfect for any holiday or any event and especially bake sales. They are sooo easy and you'll be jelously asked for the recipie. Be warned - they are addicting!!!!"

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 5
• Yields: 24-36 clusters or squares
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup margarine
• 1 (10 ounce) bag marshmallows
• 1 (12 ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups salted peanuts

directions

1. The trick to these is to keep the heat low - that will make them soft and chewy. If the heat gets high they seem to come out more hardend but still mostly chewy. I've forgotton the vanilla at times and they still turn out tasting great. I have also used milk chocolate chips.
2. Melt butter over low heat in a large pan or skillet.
3. Add marshmellows, melting, stirring constantly, keeping heat on low.
4. When melted add choc chips stirring until melted.
5. Add vanilla, stirring, and then the peanuts, folding in and stirring until peanuts are covered (when chocolate mixture is sticking to most of the peanuts).
6. Remove from heat and quickly drop by spoonfuls onto greased parchment paper or parchment lined and greased 9 x 13 pan (to cut into squares). NOTE: wax paper will not work, they will stick to it even when greased.
7. Let cool on counter.
8. Store in tightly covered containers (with parchment in between layers) or Ziploc baggies.
9. Then repeat all above. (I usually have to make 3 batches!).

Reviews

[bugsmom122402]

I took these to a Boy Scout Leaders Meeting and they were a big hit with everyone. I love peanut clusters as it is and with the marshmallow in there its an added bonus cause they are soft and chewy. Yum Yum!! Took me about 15 minutes to make. I want to use cashews next time. I dropped them on parchment paper with a tablespoon and maybe could have used my smallest scooper from pampered chef to dish them out. They are sticky till set and i used non stick spray on parchment paper. Worked great.