Sweet & Festive Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters Recipe

Sweet memories often start with childhood chocolate memories, and these christmas m&m peanut butter clusters bring nostalgia right to your kitchen counter.

Colorful candies nestled in creamy peanut butter create a delightful treat that sparks joy.

Minimal ingredients mean maximum flavor in these simple no-bake delights.

Kids adore helping mix the batch, creating cheerful moments of connection.

Festive colors peek through smooth chocolate surfaces, promising irresistible bites.

Quick preparation ensures you can whip up a batch faster than Santa slides down the chimney.

Crunchy, sweet, and utterly delectable – you’ll want to make multiple trays of these addictive clusters.

Why You’ll Love Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters

• Craft Festive Treats: Create delightful Christmas-themed clusters that bring holiday cheer to your dessert table with minimal effort.
• Quick No-Bake Magic: Prepare these sweet and salty clusters without turning on the oven, making them perfect for busy holiday seasons or last-minute gatherings.
• Kid-Friendly Cooking: Involve children in pressing colorful M&Ms onto each cluster, turning recipe preparation into a fun family activity that sparks joy and creativity.
• Versatile Party Snack: Serve these clusters at holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or package them as homemade gifts that look impressive but require simple ingredients and basic kitchen skills.

Ingredients For Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters

• Peanut Butter: A creamy spread that provides rich flavor and helps bind the cluster together.
• Chocolate Chips: Melts smoothly to create a delicious coating for the clusters.
• Pretzel Pieces: Adds a satisfying crunch and salty contrast to the sweet chocolate.

• M&M Candies: Colorful chocolate candies that add festive flair and extra sweetness to the clusters.

• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal and prevents the clusters from sticking to the baking sheet.

How To Make Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters

Step 1: Prepare Baking Surface

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to create a non-stick surface for your delicious clusters.

Step 2: Create Creamy Chocolate Base

• Peanut butter
• Chocolate chips

Melt the ingredients in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 3: Add Crunchy Texture

Fold in pretzel pieces, ensuring they are completely coated with the chocolate-peanut butter mixture.

Step 4: Form Delightful Clusters

Scoop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, creating individual clusters with a rustic, homemade appearance.

Step 5: Decorate With Festive Candies

Gently press colorful M&M candies on top of each cluster, creating a festive and visually appealing treat.

Step 6: Chill and Set

Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and allow the clusters to set for approximately one hour until firm.

Step 7: Indulge and Share

Remove the clusters from the refrigerator and enjoy these sweet, crunchy treats. Share with friends and family during holiday gatherings.

Helpful Tips For Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters

• Create clusters on parchment paper for easy cleanup and non-stick surface.
• Melt chocolate and peanut butter slowly to prevent burning and achieve smooth consistency.
• Use room temperature ingredients for better blending and more even coating of pretzels.
• Add M&M candies strategically to create festive visual appeal and extra crunch.
• Chill clusters completely in refrigerator to ensure perfect texture and easy handling.

Ways To Switch Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters

• Holiday Bark Variation: Replace spoonfuls with spreading mixture evenly across parchment paper, creating a smooth layer topped with M&M candies for festive chocolate bark.
• Nutty Crunch Cluster: Add chopped roasted peanuts or almonds into the melted chocolate mixture for extra texture and nutty flavor profile.
• Salted Caramel Clusters: Drizzle caramel sauce over the clusters before chilling and sprinkle sea salt on top for a sweet-salty combination.
• Coconut Chocolate Clusters: Mix shredded coconut into the chocolate-peanut butter base for tropical undertones and additional crunch.

What To Pair With Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters

• Pair with Warm Milk: Creamy milk complements the rich chocolate and peanut butter, creating a nostalgic comfort drink that softens the candy's crunch.
• Match with Cinnamon Coffee: Bold coffee with a hint of cinnamon balances the sweetness, offering a warm contrast to the cool, chocolatey clusters.
• Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream: Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream provides a delightful temperature and flavor contrast, enhancing the cluster's texture and taste.
• Combine with Caramel Latte: The buttery caramel notes in the latte highlight the peanut butter's richness while cutting through the chocolate's intensity.

How To Store Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters

• Store clusters in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 1 week in the refrigerator, keeping them fresh and preventing sticking.
• Wrap individual clusters in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and store for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
• Keep clusters in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat for 3-4 days, ensuring they remain firm and delicious.
• Place clusters in a cool, dry spot with low humidity to maintain their texture, avoiding soft or melting candies.

Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters FAQs

• Can I use a different type of chocolate for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate chips for a different flavor profile.

• Are there alternatives to pretzels?

Crushed graham crackers or rice cereal work great as a crunchy substitute for pretzels in this recipe.

• How long will these clusters stay fresh?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these clusters will stay fresh for up to 1 week.

• Can I make these clusters ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare these clusters up to 3 days before serving, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or gift-giving.

Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet holiday magic comes alive with Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Clusters, a festive treat blending rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter. Delightful clusters sparkle with colorful candies, promising joyful moments you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) creamy peanut butter
• 2 cups (340 g) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup (170 g) Christmas M&M candies

Crunchy Add-ins:

• 2 cups (60 g) mini pretzels, broken into pieces

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Instructions

1. Prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet to create a non-stick surface for the clusters.
2. Combine peanut butter and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second increments and stirring until completely melted and smooth.
3. Gently fold pretzel pieces into the chocolate-peanut butter mixture, ensuring thorough coating of each fragment.
4. Using a spoon, carefully dollop the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, creating rustic cluster shapes.
5. Artfully place M&M candies on top of each cluster, pressing them slightly into the warm chocolate base.
6. Chill the clusters in the refrigerator for approximately 60 minutes, allowing them to firm up and develop a satisfying crunch.
7. Once set, remove from the refrigerator and indulge in these festive, sweet-and-salty treats.

Notes

• Swap out regular chocolate chips for dark or white chocolate to create unique flavor variations.
• Use gluten-free pretzels and check chocolate chip ingredients to make this recipe celiac-friendly.
• Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for an extra flavor dimension that enhances the sweet and salty combination.
• Prevent chocolate from seizing by melting slowly and stirring consistently, ensuring a smooth and glossy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Melting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 245 kcal
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 130 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg