Crockpot Candy – A Weight Watchers-Friendly Recipe
If you’re looking for a quick and easy treat that satisfies your sweet tooth but still fits into a healthier lifestyle, Crockpot Candy is the perfect solution. This Weight Watchers-friendly Crockpot Candy recipe provides a deliciously sweet combination of chocolate, nuts, and peanut butter while keeping things lighter in terms of points. Made with simple ingredients and minimal effort, this recipe is a great option for anyone on the Weight Watchers plan or anyone looking to enjoy a tasty dessert without guilt.
Ingredients
1 bag (16 oz) of milk chocolate chips
1 bag (16 oz) of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups of salted peanuts
1 1/2 cups of dry roasted peanuts
1 cup of crunchy peanut butter
1/2 cup of chopped pretzels (optional)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Weight Watchers SmartPoints Breakdown
Total Recipe (16 servings):
Points Per Serving: 6 points
Calories: 180 per serving
Total Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 10mg
Sodium: 85mg
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 16g
Protein: 4g
Instructions: How to Make Crockpot Candy
Prepare the Crockpot: Begin by lining the base of your crockpot (slow cooker) with parchment paper or a non-stick spray to prevent the candy from sticking. This step ensures easy cleanup later.
Layer the Chocolate: Add both the milk chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips into the crockpot. These two types of chocolate will give the candy a rich, balanced flavor, but you can adjust the ratio depending on your taste preferences. For a sweeter candy, use more milk chocolate chips.
Add the Peanut Butter: Scoop in the peanut butter, ensuring it’s creamy and smooth. Crunchy peanut butter can be used if you prefer a bit of texture. The peanut butter adds flavor and a smooth texture that complements the chocolates and peanuts.
Mix in the Peanuts: Add the salted peanuts and dry-roasted peanuts to the mixture. The combination of these two varieties of peanuts will give the candy a nice crunch and a salty, savory contrast to the sweet chocolate. If you prefer fewer peanuts, feel free to adjust this to your liking.
Add the Vanilla Extract: Stir in the teaspoon of vanilla extract for an additional layer of flavor. This ingredient ties all the flavors together, bringing out the richness of the chocolate.
Stir the Ingredients: Once all the ingredients are in the crockpot, gently stir them together. You want to mix until the chocolate and peanut butter are completely melted and everything is well combined.
Cook on Low: Set the crockpot to cook on low for about 1 to 1 ½ hours. During this time, check the mixture every 20 minutes, stirring each time to ensure the chocolate is melting evenly without burning.
Final Stir: Once the chocolate and peanut butter are fully melted and smooth, give the mixture one final stir to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
Shape the Candy: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Drop spoonfuls of the melted candy mixture onto the baking sheet, creating small clusters of candy. These will form the classic “candy clusters” we all love.
Let the Candy Set: Allow the candy to cool at room temperature for about 1 hour or until the chocolate firms up. If you want to speed up this process, you can place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
Store and Serve: Once the candy has set and hardened, it’s ready to serve. Store your Crockpot Candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or in the fridge for longer freshness.
Tips for Making the Best Crockpot Candy
Substitute for Healthier Options: For those looking to reduce calories or points, you can swap out regular chocolate chips for sugar-free options, or use unsweetened chocolate chips for a richer taste. You can also reduce the amount of peanut butter for a lighter version.
Add Other Mix-ins: If you want to customize your Crockpot Candy even further, consider adding chopped pretzels, mini marshmallows, or dried fruit to the mixture for extra texture and flavor. Just remember, adding these ingredients can affect the total points.
Control Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet candy, opt for dark chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate. Dark chocolate has a lower sugar content and provides a deep, slightly bitter contrast to the salty peanuts.