Peanut Candy for Christmas

The holiday season brings out the best in cooking, and Peanut Candy is a goodie that shows up only in December. It’s one of our traditional Christmas Eve favorites. Quick and easy to make, it’s a great gift for neighbors and a pretty finger food for a party.

Peanut Candy

2 lbs. almond bark (can substitute chocolate almond bark) (comes in 24 oz. packages, so you’ll need two)1 1/2 to 2 cups mini marshmallows
2 cups dry roasted peanuts
2 cups crisp rice cereal
1 cup peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Melt almond bark in a large bowl in the microwave or oven (my microwave took 2 minutes on High).

Add peanut butter and stir until completely smooth, reheating a little bit if necessary.

Add peanuts, cereal and marshmallows. Add vanilla last. Stir until everything is coated.

Drop by teaspoonful on waxed paper. Work quickly, since it doesn’t take long for the mixture to harden.  This makes a lot, so you’ll need a LONG strip or two. (Note the fuzzy robe sleeve, which shows I made this batch early on Saturday morning).

I usually make a half batch at a time. For a half-batch, use 8 squares of almond bark.

Be sure to use a teaspoon rather than a tablespoon. This is candy, not cookies, and they are so rich a little dab is enough.

Here’s the chocolate version: