What was your favorite treat from last year's Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas? If your memory fails you, there is a good chance that you haven’t tasted a unique, singular treat lately. Maple peanut clusters, on the other hand, are here to save you from the bland peppermint candies you likely had last year. Although they don’t provide an abundant amount of nutritional value, maple peanut clusters are still one of the tastiest snacks out there, especially for the holiday season. You will still have plenty of time to get back into shape for the beach season, so no worries.
You can buy these delights as packaged or frozen; however, it won’t match the satisfaction and taste that cooking from scratch will bring. If you are into anything with maple flavoring, these delicious snacks are ideal for you. We have kept our maple peanut clusters recipe as simple as possible, so that you won’t have a hard time following it. Make sure to follow our tips, and they will end up just like your mother used to make them.
How to make maple peanut clusters
Although making maple peanut clusters is fairly easy, and our recipe is beginner friendly, there are still some key parts for achieving the best taste possible. Since the maple flavor is what distinguishes this snack from others, it is important not to pick the first one you see. We should also mention that picking the right nut matters, as it could make or break your maple nut clusters.
1. Choosing the right maple syrup
Although we are stating the obvious here, you need to make sure that what you are buying is a true maple syrup, not high-fructose glucose syrups or flavor enhancers. Check labels and do your research before heading to the grocery store. There are many different versions of maple syrup available out there, but for a more unique experience, we recommend you to use a Canadian maple syrup. It will probably be more authentic and taste better compared to its US counterparts. There are also different kinds of maple syrups, each offering a different spectrum of taste. While some will result in a more delicate taste, some have a more robust flavor. Pick one that suits your taste buds.
2. Choosing the right nut
When it comes to making maple nut clusters, various recipes differ on the type of nut they use, including cashews, almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts. In our exclusive recipe, we have decided to go with peanuts. It is no coincidence that we recommend roasting the nuts, as roasted peanuts are much nuttier, with a crispier texture and an enhanced flavor.
Ingredients for maple peanut clusters recipe
- 1 cup roasted peanuts
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon shortening
Instructions for the maple peanut clusters recipe
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine roasted peanuts, maple syrup, butter, vanilla extract, and salt, until they are evenly mixed.
- Drop mixture by tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and shortening.
- Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Dip each one in the melted chocolate, then place back on the baking sheet to let the chocolate harden.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature to prevent the snack from going stale.
Maple Peanut Clusters Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted peanuts
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon shortening
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine roasted peanuts, maple syrup, butter, vanilla extract, and salt, until they are evenly mixed.
- Drop mixture by tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and shortening.
- Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Dip each one in the melted chocolate, then place back on the baking sheet to let the chocolate harden.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature to prevent the snack from going stale.
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Notes
Nutrition
To sum up
Maple peanut clusters make great snacks for the holiday season. They are great Christmas gifts, and also perfectly suitable for yearly family gatherings. Our maple peanut clusters recipe is pretty easy to follow, and it is ideal for beginners. Crunchy, salty, and sweet, these little maple-flavored treats will be one of the irreplaceable holiday season snacks for you and your family.
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