Butterscotch Candy Clusters

One of my favorite holiday pastimes is making candy, but especially candy like this that’s simple enough that it doesn’t even require a thermometer or a stovetop. They’re similar to a haystack in their simplicity, but these no-cook no-bake Butterscotch Candy Clusters have a few extra tricks up their sleeve for added texture and flavor (but that doesn’t mean any more work for you).

These little beauties start with both white chocolate chips and butterscotch chips that are melted together. (But don’t worry, you can definitely just use the microwave. No double boilers here.)

Peanut butter and mini marshmallows and peanuts and crisped rice cereal get tossed in the mixture until everything is coated…

… and then the mixture gets scooped out onto a baking sheet where it hangs out until it sets up.

(The fridge can speed that step up, but it’s not necessary.)

The cereal gives these clusters a more delicate and airy crispness than you get from the chow mein noodles in their haystack candy cousin, but there’s a lot more going on too. While there’s a peanut butter-butterscotch combo, it’s mellowed a bit by the white chocolate and there’s a chewiness from the marshmallows that’s such a nice contrast with the cereal and peanut crunch. They’re a delicious treat, and they’re one that’s also nearly impossible to mess up.

Butterscotch Candy Clusters

30 minutes to prepare serves 10-12

Ingredients

  • 1 (12 oz) bag white chocolate baking chips
  • 1 (12 oz) bag butterscotch baking chips
  • 2 cups peanut butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 2 cups peanuts
  • 2 cups crisped rice cereal

Preparation

  1. Add the baking chips to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and melted.
  2. Stir in the peanut butter and salt until well combined.
  3. Fold in marshmallows, peanuts, and cereal until incorporated. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto wax paper and let rest until set. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Frugal Family Home.