Festive Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters Recipe

Must-Try Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters Recipe for Holiday

Sweet moments often sparkle with unexpected delights, and these christmas m&m peanut butter clusters dance with festive charm.

Chocolate lovers rejoice in this simple yet magical treat that combines rich peanut butter with colorful holiday candies.

Melted chocolate swirls together with creamy peanut butter, creating a smooth base for crisp m&m pieces.

Clusters emerge as little rounds of pure happiness, perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings.

Each bite delivers a delightful crunch and burst of seasonal joy.

Quick to prepare and irresistibly delicious, these clusters will become your new favorite Christmas confection.

Treat yourself and spread some sweetness this holiday season.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 11

What You Need For Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters

For Base and Binding:
  • Creamy Peanut Butter: Smooth foundation that helps bind ingredients and creates rich, nutty flavor.
  • White Chocolate Chips: Melts beautifully to create silky coating and adds sweet creaminess.
For Festive Crunch and Color:
  • Christmas M&M Candies: Brings vibrant holiday colors and delightful chocolate-covered crunch.
  • Salted Peanuts: Adds delicious texture and complementary salty note to sweet mixture.
For Optional Enhancements:
  • Sea Salt: Elevates overall flavor profile with subtle sophisticated touch.
  • Vanilla Extract: Deepens underlying sweetness and rounds out flavor complexity.

Simple Tools For Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters

  • Baking sheet: Large, flat pan for spreading and cooling clusters.
  • Parchment paper or wax paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
  • Microwave-safe bowl: For melting chocolate and peanut butter smoothly.
  • Spatula or spoon: Helps mix ingredients and scoop clusters onto the sheet.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.

How To Melt And Mix Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters

  • Preparation Surface

Cover a flat baking tray with parchment paper, creating a smooth workspace for your sweet creation.

  • Chocolate Melting

Gently warm chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring carefully to create a smooth, glossy mixture that blends perfectly together.

  • Candy Combination

Pour colorful M&M candies into the melted chocolate mixture, stirring softly to ensure each candy gets a delicious chocolate coating.

  • Cluster Formation

Spoon small dollops of the chocolate-covered candy onto the prepared parchment paper, allowing each cluster to take its own unique shape.

  • Cooling Period

Place the tray in the refrigerator, letting the clusters set and harden for about 15 minutes until they become firm and glossy.

  • Serving Delight

Remove the clusters from the refrigerator and transfer to a serving plate, ready to enjoy these festive, crunchy treats that burst with chocolate and candy flavor.

Ideas To Make Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters Even Better

  • Quick Chocolate Melting Magic: Use a double boiler or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each burst to prevent chocolate from burning and ensure smooth, glossy melting.
  • Room Temperature Perfection: Let ingredients like peanut butter and chocolate sit at room temperature for easier mixing and a more consistent texture in your clusters.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Swap regular M&M's for sugar-free chocolate and use natural peanut butter to create a diabetes-friendly version that's still deliciously festive.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Confirm your M&M's are gluten-free and use certified gluten-free chocolate to make this treat safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.

Ways To Display Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters

  • Party-Perfect Plating: Arrange these festive clusters on a decorative holiday tray with sprigs of fresh mint or rosemary for an elegant Christmas presentation.
  • Christmas Color Pop: Layer the clusters in clear glass mason jars with red and green ribbons for a stunning homemade gift that showcases their beautiful red and green M&M colors.
  • Dessert Sidekick: Serve alongside hot cocoa or coffee for a delightful after-dinner treat that brings warmth and cheer to your holiday gathering.
  • Sweet Pairing Magic: Complement these clusters with vanilla ice cream or as a topping for brownies to create an extra indulgent dessert experience.

Store Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters Without Melting

  • Quick Refrigeration: Store clusters in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 7 days, keeping them firm and maintaining their delightful texture.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual clusters in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for 2-3 months, perfect for make-ahead holiday treats.
  • Room Temperature Tips: Keep clusters in a sealed container away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Enjoy within 3-4 days for optimal taste and quality.
  • Gift-Ready Packaging: Stack clusters between parchment paper sheets in festive tins or holiday-themed boxes. Add a ribbon for a charming homemade gift that looks as good as it tastes.
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Festive Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters Recipe

Festive Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters


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4.9 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Scrumptious Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters deliver festive cheer with minimal effort. Rich chocolate and colorful candies combine in an easy no-bake treat perfect for holiday gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 cups (340 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (170 g) white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup roasted salted peanuts
  • 1 cup Christmas-colored M&M candies
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) coconut oil or vegetable shortening (optional, for smoother melting)

Instructions

  1. Prep Surface: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to create a non-stick foundation for your clusters.
  2. Chocolate Fusion: Microwave chocolate chips and peanut butter in a bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until achieving a silky, homogeneous consistency.
  3. Cooling Interlude: Let the molten chocolate-peanut butter mixture rest for 2-3 minutes to prevent potential ingredient scorching.
  4. Nutty Integration: Fold roasted peanuts into the chocolate blend, ensuring comprehensive coating and even distribution.
  5. Festive Embellishment: Gently incorporate Christmas M&M candies throughout the mixture, maintaining their structural integrity.
  6. Cluster Formation: Utilize a spoon or cookie scoop to deposit uniform chocolate mounds onto the prepared baking sheet, creating artistic clusters.
  7. Decorative Finishing: Strategically place additional M&M candies atop each cluster for visual appeal and extra crunch.
  8. Solidification Phase: Refrigerate clusters for 15-20 minutes, allowing complete setting and texture stabilization.
  9. Storage Protocol: Transfer hardened clusters to an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent adhesion, and store in a cool environment for optimal preservation.

Notes

  • Prevent Chocolate Burning: Stir melted chocolate at 30-second intervals to ensure smooth, even melting without scorching.
  • Cooling Technique: Let melted chocolate mixture rest 2-3 minutes before adding ingredients to avoid potential candy discoloration or texture issues.
  • Gentle Mixing Method: Fold peanuts and M&Ms carefully to maintain candy integrity and prevent breaking delicate chocolate coating.
  • Storage Optimization: Use parchment paper between layers when storing to prevent clusters from sticking together and preserve their individual shape and texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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