Nutty, Nutty, Peanuttier Chocolate!

Yep! Another food holiday...not just any food but chocolate...not just any chocolate nor chocolate alone but chocolate swirling over, under, around and through salty peanuts! WOW! A crunchy bunch of peanuts held together by chocolate! With all the chocolate and nutty days already celebrated, why not one more! Right? Dieting went to pot during Thanksgiving and Christmas, now the push for chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate is making weight watching almost an impossibility.

March 8 is...

 National Peanut Cluster Day

Um-m-m-m-m! Yum! Yum! Betcha can't eat just one...peanut, that is!

March 8 is Peanut Cluster Day celebrating all that is delicious and unique about the peanut. Did you know the humble peanut is really not a nut? In fact, it is a species in the legume or "bean" family originally cultivated from plants native to Paraguay. Peanuts have been enjoyed as an addition to various recipes, as well as a tasty, protein rich snack right by themselves, for centuries.  

Embrace the Past...

Peanut clusters were once incredibly popular. In 1931, one department of the Emporia Wholesale Coffee Company "employed up to 20 women in the winter months to produce one to two tons of chocolate peanut clusters daily," according to EVCO Foods. The peanut clusters were sold "in bulk to retailers in Kansas and surrounding states." During World War II, the company "shipped approximately 50,000 pounds of chocolate peanut clusters weekly for consumption by those on the fighting front."

Five Fun Facts from Joy of Kosher:

1. It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.
2. Astronaut Allen B. Sheppard brought a peanut with him to the moon.
3. Peanut butter was the secret behind “Mr. Ed,” TV’s talking horse.
4. Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth.
5. Peanut butter is the leading use of peanuts in the USA.

The Peanut Cluster comes in a basic shape but can be made in different sizes. 

Try one of these on for size!

 

This peanut cluster looks more like a peanut log!

 

 These little patties resemble tiny turtles, just add caramel!

What about an extra bunch of the salty goodness?

 

Try this triple PLUS the peanuts!
Chocolate bark coating,

semisweet chocolate morsels,

German chocolate baking squares

Experiment in the kitchen today...BE CREATIVE...have FUN!

 Chocolate Cluster-Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Clusters Recipe

One Perfect Bite: Chocolate Peanut Cluster Recipe

Slow Cooker Peanut Clusters Recipe

Easy Peanut Clusters Recipe

Bake a batch of Chocolate Chip and Mascarpone Cupcakes (Recipe), top with Chocolate Buttercream (Recipe), add a Nutty Caramel Peanut Cluster (Recipe) on top. Talk about delicious!

Milk Chocolate Dulce de Leche Peanut Clusters

Try creating small clusters to use when decorating cupcakes and desserts, especially yummy when sprinkled on vanilla ice cream!

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!