What is the history of peanut clusters?

The History of Peanut Clusters Peanut clusters have been a beloved treat in the United States since the early 1900s. The exact origin of this delectable candy is somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have been inspired by the popular German chocolate-covered nut candies of the time .

Why do chocolate and peanut butter go together?

" The flavor and composition of roasted nuts are close to those of cocoa beans, but complementary ," says Gregory Ziegler, Ph. D., a Penn State University professor of food science who studies chocolate. The soft nut oils add some punch too.

Why is growing peanuts illegal?

Growing peanuts isn't illegal, but commercial growing and sale of them is heavily regulated . You need a license, but each state can have different regulations that must be followed by law. Although peanuts can be grown across the U.S., six of them produce the majority of these nuts we see on store shelves: Alabama.

What was the original name of the peanut?

In the 1700's, peanuts, then called groundnuts or ground peas , were studied by botanists and regarded as an excellent food for pigs. Records show that peanuts were grown commercially in South Carolina around 1800 and used for oil, food and a substitute for cocoa.

What is a peanut cluster?

Traditionally, “peanut clusters” feature peanuts which have been completely covered in chocolate . (Or more often, they're made by stirring melted chocolate and roasted peanuts together.)

What is the history of baseball peanuts?

It began in 1895 when pioneering ballpark concessioner Harry Stevens decided to sell advertising space on scorecards to a peanut company . Instead of financial payment, the company paid him in peanuts, which Stevens then sells to the ballparks.

What is the history of the peanut gallery?

The “peanut gallery” was once used to refer to people — mostly Black people — who were sitting in the cheap seats in vaudeville theaters and would throw peanuts on stage if they didn't like a performance rather than throwing tomatoes. (Yes, throwing foodstuff on stage was once a thing.

What is the history of peanut pie?

Peanut pie was originally considered slave food, but by the 1940s peanuts were widely consumed, and an advertisem*nt for corn syrup (used to make the sweet, sticky pie filling) claimed that peanut pies could “make even your deepest-dyed Yankee start complimenting you with a southern accent.” The pie was popular in ...

White Chocolate Peanut Clusters Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

April 16, 2020November 18, 2023

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White Chocolate Peanut Clusters are a no bake peanut butter candy recipe that can be completed in less than 15 minutes. The white chocolate peanut butter base coats a crunchy combination of peanuts and Rice Krispies that perfectly complements slightly melted mini marshmallows. These would make a great addition to your holiday homemade treat gift tray!

Table of Contents

White Chocolate Peanut Clusters Recipe

This is a very special recipe to me. My friend Marcia gave these no bake peanut butter clusters to me many years ago, and she called them Cookies From Heaven.Marcia is now a heavenly angel, and they are truly Marcia’s Cookies from Heaven.

The combination of white chocolate and peanut butter make the most spectacular candy base – almost heavenly. Peanuts and Rice Krispies give these a crunchy texture, but there’s also a surprise element. The addition of mini marshmallows to the warm candy base means they soften and plump but do not melt. No Bake Peanut Butter Clusters are perfection. These are my Christmas Crack at the holidays; I just can’t stop eating.

Judging Our White Chocolate Peanut Candy

My daily dinner routine is a version of Chopped or any of the popular cooking challenge shows on the Food Network, and my kids are the judges. My girls always ask, “Mom, what did you prepare for us.” And, they expect me to answer in a cooking show script.

You know what comes next. They then proceed to judge and rank my meal just as the judges on the cooking shows do. These white chocolate peanut clusters were no exception.

Girls: “Mom, what did you bake for us?”

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Candy Ingredient List

White Almond Bark
Peanut Butter, creamy
Rice Krispies
Mini Marshmallows
Peanuts

How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Clusters

Step by Step Instructions

Melt white almond bark in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
Add peanut butter and stir until smooth.
Quickly, stir in peanuts and Rice Krispies, and then the marshmallows last.
Drop by heaping spoonfuls on parchment paper; let harden and store in an airtight container.

For the full recipe for peanut butter marshmallow cookies, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Recipe Variations

Substitute almonds, pecans, walnuts or cashews for peanuts.
Use crunchy peanut butter.
Make them more festive by topping with sprinkles before they set.

Recipe FAQs

Cookies from Heaven are a fast peanut butter candy recipe. Start to finish, these can be completed in less than 15 minutes.
When melting the white almond bark, break up the pieces into a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave at 30 second intervals. Be sure to stir in between so it does not burn.
Instead of using the microwave, you can put the almond bark in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish in a 250 degree F oven until melted.
Stir the marshmallows in last to the warm white chocolate peanut butter mixture so that they do not melt.
Store these white chocolate peanut butter clusters in an airtight container or in the refrigerator.
Salted or dry roasted peanuts can be used.
Double White Chocolate Peanut Clusters recipe if a bigger batch is desired.
If you love peanut butter, try our Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies and our Scotcheroos.

Our Favorite Dessert Recipes

It’s no secret that here at These Old Cook Books we love sweets. Here are a few of our favorite recipes:

Yellow Cake Mix Gooey Bars
Grandma’s Apple Crisp
Peach Batter Cake
Leftover Donut Bread Pudding
Mom’s Perfect Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
Easy Cherry Crisp
Iced Thumbprint Cookies
Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls

Looking for more homemade gift ideas? Check out our Best Homemade Gift Ideas.

Vintage Peanut Butter Desserts

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Balls

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie

Peanut Butter Cornflake Drop Cookies

White Chocolate Peanut Clusters – Peanut Butter Marshmallow Candy

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time0 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cookies from heaven, no bake peanut butter butter clusters, peanut butter marshmallow candy, peanut butter marshmallow cookies, Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies, white chocolate peanut clusters

Servings: 16 cookies

Calories: 281kcal

Author: Barbara

Ingredients

1 pound white almond bark
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup peanuts
1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions

Using a microwave-safe bowl, break up the white almond bark into pieces, and microwave at 30 second intervals stirring in between until the bark is melted and smooth.
Add peanut butter and stir until completely incorporated.
Stir in peanuts and Rice Krispies, and then stir in marshmallows last.
Drop by spoonfuls onto parchment paper; let harden.
Store in an airtight container on the counter or in the refrigerator.

Notes

Cookies from Heaven are a fast peanut butter candy recipe. Start to finish, these can be completed in less than 15 minutes.
When melting the white almond bark, break up the pieces into a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave at 30 second intervals. Be sure to stir in between so it does not burn.
Instead of using the microwave, you can put the almond bark in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish in a 250 degree F oven until melted.
Stir the marshmallows in last to the warm white chocolate peanut butter mixture so that they do not melt.
Store these white chocolate peanut butter clusters in an airtight container or in the refrigerator.
Salted or dry roasted peanuts can be used.
Double White Chocolate Peanut Clusters recipe if a bigger batch is desired.
If you love peanut butter, try our Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies and our Scotcheroos.
The nutritional information is auto-calculated and can vary depending on the products used.

Nutrition

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This post is sponsored by the Glass Barn, Indiana Soybean and Corn Farmers but all thoughts and opinions are our own.