Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe - How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy! (2024)

Shelly 36 Comments

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This is an easy Crock Pot Candy recipe made from a medley of milk chocolate, white chocolate, toffee, and Nutella! Sweet and crunchy homemade candy serves as a tasty snack or shareable dessert.

Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe - How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy! (1)

Table of Contents

  • Easy Homemade Crockpot Candy
  • Why Make Candy in the Crockpot?
  • What You’ll Need
  • How to Make Candy In Your Slow Cooker
  • Tips for Success
  • Add-Ins and Variations
  • How to Store Chocolate Candy
  • Can I Freeze Crockpot Candy?
  • Get the Recipe

Easy Homemade Crockpot Candy

I stumbled across this recipe for crockpot candy in my mom’s recipe collection a while ago. At the time, I’d used my crockpot to make Pulled Pork or Crockpot Chili. But candy in the crock? Needless to say, I was intrigued.

It turns out, crock pot candy is the real deal, and it’s SO easy to make. If you’ve never tried it, you’re in for a treat (literally). This recipe combines a medley of chocolate and crunchy hazelnuts that melts down in the slow cooker over a couple of hours, which you then plop into lined mini muffin trays to set.

Sure, you can leave it as hazelnut clusters and call it a day. But since this is the type of easy dessert recipe that you can really make your own, I swirled in some Nutella and sprinkled on some toffee bits. For good health.

Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe - How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy! (2)

Why Make Candy in the Crockpot?

There’s a lot to love about what might be the easiest homemade candy recipe ever. Here’s why you’ll love making this crockpot candy all year round:

  • The slow cooker does the work. Forget constant stirring and painstakingly checking a candy thermometer. Who doesn’t love a lazy candy recipe?
  • 3 ingredients. Give or take, depending on your choice of add-ins. But the base of this homemade chocolate candy recipe is just 3 simple ingredients!
  • Totally customizable. You can change up this recipe to make just about any flavor combination you’d like, from the type of chocolate to your favorite add-ins.
  • Great for gifting. Homemade candy that’s made with love (and lots of chocolate) is the perfect gift for any holiday. Change the ingredients whether it’s Christmas, Easter, or otherwise and wrap up your candies to share with friends and family.
Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe - How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy! (3)

What You’ll Need

You need a grand total of 3 ingredients, plus your preferred add-ins to make your crockpot candy. Below is a short overview, with the full details available in the recipe card:

  • Nuts: You’ll need about one cup of chopped nuts. This recipe calls for hazelnuts, but you can use any kind of nut you’d like. Use peanuts to make traditional peanut clusters.
  • Chocolate Chips: I recommend using semi-sweet chocolate chips, as they tend to melt down smoother and aren’t overly sweet.
  • Almond Bark: I use white almond bark, but you can substitute white candy melts or even white chocolate chips if needed.
  • Optional Add-Ins: I took matters into my own hands and stirred in Nutella and toffee bits. There is so much that you can add to this homemade candy recipe (see below for more ideas). You do you!
Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe - How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy! (4)
Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe - How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy! (5)

How to Make Candy In Your Slow Cooker

I made this recipe in my old-school 4-quart Crock Pot. But you can use any slow cooker model you have in your kitchen. Here’s how to melt chocolate in your slow cooker:

  • Combine: First, chop up the hazelnuts and spread these into the bottom of the crockpot (I like to layer the nuts first to help keep the chocolate from burning). After, add the chocolate chips followed by the almond bark.
  • Cook: Set the crock to cook on low for 3 hours.
  • Stir: When the time is up, give the chocolate and hazelnuts a stir. At this point, you can also swirl in the Nutella.
  • Set: Drop heaping spoonfuls of melted candy into a lined mini muffin pan. Give the tops a sprinkle with toffee bits. Leave the chocolate to set completely before serving.
Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe - How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy! (6)
Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe - How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy! (7)

Tips for Success

Crockpot candy is basically fancy candies that you can make using your least-fancy appliance! These candies have always turned out great, but here are some final candy-making tips for the best results, every time:

  • Check on the chocolate. This recipe is mostly hands-free, but I would recommend checking in on your crockpot candy every so often while it’s cooking. Not all crockpot models are the same, and some may melt the chocolate faster than others. You don’t want to wind up with burnt chocolate.
  • Make candy on a cookie sheet. If you don’t have a muffin tin, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and drop the chocolate hazelnut mixture onto the sheet in evenly-spaced clusters.
  • Chill to set. You can place the candies in the fridge for 15-30 minutes to help speed up the hardening process.
Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe - How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy! (8)

Add-Ins and Variations

Dress up your crockpot candy with any add-ins you’d like. Try swirling peanut butter into the mix instead of Nutella, or add Rice Krispies cereal into the melted chocolate for an even crispier crunch.

You can make this recipe in different-sized muffin tins or molds, too. I tested this in large cupcake liners and placed an entire Reese’s Cup inside each one (for science), then topped them with a mini pretzel and some sea salt. Success!

There’s really no limit to what’s possible with homemade chocolate candy. Here are some more easy variation ideas:

  • Different Chocolate: Try this recipe with dark chocolate or all-white chocolate. If you’re going to use primarily white chocolate, I highly recommend using Ghirardelli Melting Wafers or white almond bark over white chocolate chips. They melt down way smoother and won’t burn as easily.
  • Different Nuts: Use chopped pecans, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, macadamias, or any combination thereof.
  • Peanut Butter: As mentioned, you can stir in peanut butter at the end. Crunchy peanut butter would also work for extra texture.
  • Nut-Free: Melt the chocolate, then stir in crushed pretzels, crisped rice cereal, craisins, or raisins for nut-free chocolate candy.
  • Dipped: Once the candies have set, you can dip them in another layer of different melted chocolate for a fun contrast.
  • Caramel: Drizzle the tops of the hardened chocolate with Homemade Caramel. Or, melt caramel candies in a double boiler on the stovetop.
  • Espresso: Stir in espresso powder for a mocha-flavored treat.
  • Christmas Candy: Top with crushed candy canes, red and green M&Ms, or Peppermint Kisses.
  • Easter Candy: Deck these out with Mini Eggs, rainbow sprinkles, or mini marshmallows.
Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe - How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy! (9)

How to Store Chocolate Candy

Store the candies in an airtight container. This homemade crockpot candy will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to one week. There’s also the option to freeze your chocolate for longer storage, see below.

Can I Freeze Crockpot Candy?

Yes! You can freeze this chocolate candy airtight for up to one month. Defrost it either at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.

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    Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe - How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy! (10)

    Easy Crockpot Candy

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review

    • Author: Shelly
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 3 hours
    • Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
    • Yield: 48 candies 1x
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Crock Pot
    • Cuisine: American

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    Description

    This easy Crockpot Candy recipe combines rich milk chocolate, hazelnuts, toffee, and Nutella! Homemade candy is the perfect sweet treat for snacking, sharing, and gifting.

    Ingredients

    Scale

    • 1 cup chopped hazelnuts (you could use any nuts you prefer)
    • 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 2 1/2 pounds white almond bark, white candy melting disks or white chocolate chips
    • *optional 3/4 cup Nutella
    • *optional 1 cup toffee bits

    Instructions

    1. In a 4 quart crock pot layer nuts, semi-sweet chocolate and almond bark or candy melts. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.
    2. When 3 hours is up, stir all the ingredients together and swirl in Nutella, if desired.
    3. Line 2 mini muffin pans with liners and drop by heaping tablespoon into liners.
    4. Sprinkle with toffee bits, if desired.

    Notes

    • Store crockpot candy airtight on the counter for up to 3 days, or refrigerated for up to 1 week. Freeze airtight for up to 1 month.
    • Add any add-ins you’d like. Try swirling peanut butter instead of Nutella, or adding Rice Krispies cereal into the melted chocolate for extra crunch!

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 candy
    • Calories: 212
    • Sugar: 22 g
    • Sodium: 21.2 mg
    • Fat: 13 g
    • Carbohydrates: 23.4 g
    • Protein: 2.7 g
    • Cholesterol: 5 mg

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    Easy Crockpot Candy Recipe - How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy! (2024)

    FAQs

    How long does it take to melt chocolate in a slow cooker? ›

    3. Turn the slow cooker on high. Don't cover it--you don't want moisture to form inside the lid and drop down into the chocolate. After 30 minutes, stir the chips; if not completely melted, continue heating until all of the chips melt in as they are stirred.

    Why did my crockpot candy burn? ›

    You will notice any scorching/burning by the candy coating turning a light brown color. To prevent scorching, try to prevent candy coating from resting on the sides of the slow cooker.

    How far in advance can you make homemade candy? ›

    Most candies will keep 2 to 3 weeks (if not longer) if stored tightly covered in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator. It's best to avoid storing different types of candy together in the same container because hard candies will become soft and sticky, and soft candies will dry out.

    Can you temper chocolate in a slow cooker? ›

    Crockpot: Avoid water altogether and use your crockpot for a gentle way to melt and temper chocolate. Make sure to keep the heat as low as possible!

    How do you make melted chocolate runnier? ›

    To thin melted chocolate, add a small amount of neutral oil, like vegetable oil or cocoa butter, stirring gently until it reaches the desired consistency. Melt slowly to avoid overheating, and keep water out to prevent the chocolate from seizing.

    Can you overcook chocolate when melting? ›

    Overheating chocolate (anything over 46°C will do it), adding cold substances or getting any liquid (even a teaspoon) into melted chocolate can make chocolate seize up in this way because the sugars in the chocolate lump together and separate from the fat, rather than harmoniously melding together as happens in ...

    What happens if you leave a crockpot on too long? ›

    That being said, however, it's not a good idea to leave food in a slow cooker for days at a time. The food will not only stain the cooker's interior, but it will also be soggy and overcooked and be left open to bacteria.

    Is it bad to leave a crockpot on warm overnight? ›

    Don't leave it on 'warm' all day

    Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

    Why won't my homemade candy harden? ›

    If the sugar mixture is not cooked to the proper temperature (the hard-crack stage 300-310° F {149-154° C.} or if you are working in a kitchen with high humidity, chances are your candy is retaining too much moisture.

    Can I eat candy from 2 years ago? ›

    Store your candy in a cool – room temp or slightly less – and dry place. If it contains nuts or chocolate, it'll expire faster. If not, the less moisture and fat that type of candy has, the longer it will last. Upper end on lifespan for the most persevering candies is two years, but most are about 6 months.

    What makes candy go bad? ›

    "Light and heat will oxidize and causes rancid flavors, and those are the things that can affect, especially chocolates and candies, the most [in storage]," she said. "The cooler the temperature, the longer those ingredients are going to stay good tasting. ...

    When should you not temper chocolate? ›

    For Baking

    If you are using your chocolate to chop up and melt into a brownie recipe, use it as chocolate chips/chunks in a cookie, fold melted chocolate it into a cake recipe, then you do not need it to be tempered. The chocolate will heat up anyway and cook, or be melted down.

    What is the best chocolate for melting? ›

    The 10 Best Chocolates for Melting
    RankName
    1Callebaut Belgian Dark Couverture Chocolate
    2Nestle Toll House Milk Chocolate Morsels
    3Lily's Dark Chocolate Chips
    4Wilton Chocolate Pro Melting Chocolate Wafers for Chocolate Fondue
    6 more rows

    Can you melt chocolate without tempering? ›

    If you just melt chocolate and let it cool without tempering it, the crystals of cocoa butter will be uneven sizes and your chocolate will be dull with patches of gray spots called bloom. Your chocolate will be crumbly and soft to the touch.

    What takes the less time to melt chocolate? ›

    1: The Microwave Method (Aka the Quick-and-Easy Way)

    Best for melting chocolate fast without dirtying many candy tools. Step 1: Chop chocolate into small pieces and place in microwave-safe bowl. Step 2: Microwave at 70% power for 1 minute. Remove from microwave and give it a stir.

    What makes chocolate melt the fastest? ›

    Simply put, chocolate is mostly made of fat, which comes in the form of cocoa butter. This is the fat that naturally comes from the cacao beans. Cocoa butter is the one that gives you that rich texture as the chocolate melts in your mouth. The higher the cocoa butter content in chocolate, the easier you can melt it.

    How long does it take melting chocolate to harden? ›

    Chocolate typically takes about 20-30 minutes to fully harden and set at room temperature. By placing your melted chocolate in the fridge, you can cut these times in half, speeding up the hardening process.

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