If you’re on the hunt for a festive, fun, and utterly irresistible treat to brighten up your spring celebrations, you absolutely have to try this Easter Crockpot Candy Recipe. It’s a luscious blend of melted almond bark, crunchy peanuts, colorful Easter M&Ms, and cheerful mini marshmallows that come together effortlessly in your slow cooker. This candy is the perfect combination of creamy, crunchy, and downright delightful, and it’s guaranteed to become a crowd favorite at your holiday gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for a handful of simple but essential ingredients that each play a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and those unmistakable pastel colors that scream Easter joy. Here’s what you’ll want to have ready:
- Almond bark (2 24 oz. blocks): This white chocolate substitute melts smoothly to coat the nuts and candy, providing a creamy base.
- Roasted peanuts (24 oz): These add a wonderful crunch and boost of salty contrast to balance the sweetness.
- Easter M&Ms (1 ½ cups, pastel): Bringing vibrant pops of color and a satisfying candy shell that stays crisp even when mixed in.
- Mini marshmallows, fruit-flavored (1 ½ cups): These add little bursts of chewy sweetness and a fun texture contrast.
- Easter sprinkles: For that finishing touch of festive flair and extra crunch on top of the candy clusters.
How to Make Easter Crockpot Candy Recipe
Step 1: Melt the Almond Bark and Peanuts
Pop your almond bark blocks and roasted peanuts right into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, stirring frequently. This slow and steady melt ensures the almond bark becomes silky smooth and evenly coats every single peanut, setting the stage for a perfectly indulgent candy cluster.
Step 2: Cool the Mixture
Once your chocolate-coated peanuts reach a smooth consistency, turn off the slow cooker and let the mixture cool to room temperature. This step is absolutely crucial: too hot and your M&Ms and marshmallows will melt and lose their shape, too cool and the mixture won’t incorporate evenly. Finding that sweet spot keeps the candy looking bright and tasting just right.
Step 3: Fold in M&Ms and Marshmallows
Gently stir the pastel Easter M&Ms and fruity mini marshmallows into the cooled mixture until they’re just combined. You want to preserve the candy shells on the M&Ms and keep the marshmallows fluffy, so take your time folding them in carefully. This is where the Easter Crockpot Candy Recipe really starts to sing with fun color and delightful textures.
Step 4: Create Individual Candy Clusters
Using a spoon, scoop 1 to 1 ½ tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture onto parchment paper. These clusters make for convenient, bite-sized pieces that are easy for guests to grab and munch on. Bonus points for looking adorable on your Easter dessert spread!
Step 5: Add Extra Festive Toppings
Top each candy cluster with a few extra pastel M&Ms and a sprinkle of Easter sprinkles. These finishing touches not only amp up the candy’s festive look but also add delightful pops of texture and sweetness with each bite. Presentation matters, and this step keeps things playful and inviting.
Step 6: Let the Candy Set
Finally, let your candy clusters sit at room temperature until completely set. It takes a little patience but the payoff is worth it — perfectly formed candies with a satisfying snap and a chewy, crunchy, and sweet bite all in one.
How to Serve Easter Crockpot Candy Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra sparkle, garnish your Easter Crockpot Candy Recipe with a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzles of melted colored chocolate. These small touches can elevate the presentation and make your candy feel extra special for the occasion.
Side Dishes
This candy pairs beautifully with simple spring refreshments like lemonade, iced tea, or a fruity punch to balance out the rich sweetness. It also makes a fantastic sweet treat alongside light, fresh salads or delicate finger sandwiches if you’re aiming for a full Easter tea spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging your candy clusters in pastel-colored mini cupcake liners or festive clear bags tied with ribbon for cute take-home gifts. You can even build a vibrant candy board featuring these clusters alongside other Easter-themed sweets to wow your guests visually and satisfy any sweet tooth craving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Easter Crockpot Candy Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep beautifully for up to a week, perfect for snacking long after the holiday has passed.
Freezing
If you want to save your candy for longer, freezing is a great option. Place the clusters in a freezer-safe container separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to two months and thawed at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
Since this candy is best enjoyed at room temperature, there’s no need to reheat. Just let any frozen clusters thaw naturally, and they’ll regain their delicious texture and flavor with no fuss.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of nut?
Absolutely! While roasted peanuts are traditional and provide a wonderful crunch, almonds, cashews, or pecans can be great substitutions if you want to mix things up. Just be mindful of different nut sizes when scooping your clusters.
What if I can’t find pastel Easter M&Ms?
No worries—any chocolate candy with a hard shell will work. You can even use regular M&Ms and add food coloring drizzle or sprinkles to give them a festive look. The key is keeping that candy shell intact so it adds texture.
Can I prepare this recipe without a crockpot?
While using a crockpot makes melting and mixing super easy and mess-free, you can mimic the process by melting the almond bark gently in a double boiler on the stove. Just be sure to stir frequently and melt slowly to avoid burning.
Is this candy safe for kids?
Yes! The Easter Crockpot Candy Recipe is made with completely kid-friendly ingredients, and the colorful M&Ms and marshmallows make it extra appealing for little ones. Just watch out for nut allergies.
How long does it take for the candy to set?
Setting time depends on your room temperature but plan for about 1 to 2 hours for the clusters to firm up completely. Avoid refrigerating them as sudden temperature changes can cause the almond bark to develop a white haze known as bloom.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited as I am to dive into this delightful Easter Crockpot Candy Recipe. It’s incredibly easy, bursting with festive colors, and offers a perfect mix of textures that will have everyone coming back for more. Whether you’re making it for an Easter party or just a sweet seasonal treat, this recipe is sure to fill your kitchen with warmth and smiles. Give it a try—I promise it will quickly become an Easter tradition you cherish!
Print
Easter Crockpot Candy Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 50 candies
- Category: Candy
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This delightful Easter Crockpot Candy recipe combines creamy white almond bark, crunchy roasted peanuts, pastel Easter M&Ms, and fruity mini marshmallows. Slow-cooked to melt the almond bark evenly and then mixed with colorful candies and sprinkles, these sweet clusters are perfect for festive gatherings and make for an easy, crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
Chocolate Base
- 2 blocks (24 oz each) white almond bark
- 24 oz roasted peanuts
Add-ins
- 1 ½ cups Easter M&Ms (pastel colors)
- 1 ½ cups mini fruit-flavored marshmallows
- Easter sprinkles (for topping)
Instructions
- Slow Cook Almond Bark and Peanuts. Place the white almond bark and roasted peanuts into your slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 to 3 hours, stirring often to help the almond bark melt evenly and coat the peanuts thoroughly.
- Cool the Mixture. After the almond bark is fully melted and the mixture is smooth, turn off the slow cooker. Allow the chocolate-coated peanut mixture to cool until it reaches room temperature. This prevents the candies from melting the M&Ms and marshmallows added later.
- Incorporate M&Ms and Marshmallows. Gently fold the Easter M&Ms and mini marshmallows into the cooled chocolate and peanut mixture. Mix until just combined, preserving the texture and colors of the add-ins.
- Form Candy Clusters. Scoop out 1 to 1 ½ tablespoon portions of the mixture onto parchment paper-lined trays. This will create individual candies that are easy to handle and serve.
- Add Decorative Toppings. Press additional M&Ms and Easter sprinkles on top of each candy cluster to add festive colors and crunchy texture.
- Set the Candies. Allow the candy clusters to set completely at room temperature. This ensures they firm up properly and hold their shape before serving.
Notes
- Stir the mixture often during slow cooking to prevent the almond bark from burning and ensure even melting.
- Do not add M&Ms and marshmallows while the chocolate is hot to avoid melting and losing their shape.
- For faster setting, you can chill the candy clusters in the refrigerator, but room temperature setting yields the best texture.
- Store candies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
