Homemade Chocolate Peanut Caramels are soft, chewy and indulgent! Melt in your mouth caramels that are loaded with roasted salted peanuts and a drizzle of dark chocolate.

I'm going to be frank when I say that these Homemade Chocolate Peanut Caramels are the best thing I have ever made in my life! I'm talking soft chewy caramels with salty peanuts and drizzled dark chocolate. As I type this, I'm wondering why I thought it was a good idea to eat SO many after shooting the photos but let me tell you, they are absolutely delicious and would be incredible served at any holiday party or given as a holiday gift.

**Keep reading for the BEST giveaway for 2 $75 baskets loaded with all kinds of peanut products (peanut butter, peanuts, bars and more!)

I was kind of nervous to try to make these Homemade Chocolate Peanut Caramels. I have never made chewy caramels before but it is quite easy. I recommend doubling the recipe because it is almost zero extra work and, since it does take some time to make, you might as well! Wrap them up in little parchment papers and give as gifts. Arrange them on a cute holiday plate and serve at a party. Or, of course, eat them yourself -- like I did.

I thought the ultimate soft and chewy caramel would be loaded with peanuts and dark chocolate. Kind of like a Snickers but without the nougat. So much better! I’ll admit. These caramels are an indulgent holiday treat which is what everyone needs every now and again. Dietitians are just like everyone else- we love treats too!

You can make these Homemade Chocolate Peanut Caramels a few different ways. You can make them with peanuts only - skip the chocolate drizzle. Or you can make them with just chocolate - skip the peanuts (though I don't recommend it!). You can switch out dark chocolate for milk chocolate if you prefer.

Why Cook with Peanuts?

I cook with peanuts and peanut butter all the time for sweet and savory recipes. Peanuts are loaded with nutrition with 7 grams of protein per serving, 19 vitamins and minerals and they are a source of heart-healthy fats. New research from the University of Barcelona shows that peanuts and peanut butter help with improved memory, cognitive function and concentration.

Eating peanuts regularly can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by about 30 percent. Peanuts are a superfood that make a great addition to your diet. Research also found that eating peanuts can help reduce 4 cancers: breast, colorectal, esophageal and pancreatic cancer.

The holidays can be stressful and peanuts have an antioxidant called P-coumaric acid which helps to regulate mood, stress and anxiety. If I was feeling stressed, a couple of these chocolate peanut caramels would definitely be a go-to treat! I also love peanuts for a snack because they give me a boost of energy while getting all of my holiday tasks done.

Homemade Chocolate Peanut Caramels

Yield: 30 caramels Author: Amanda HernandezPrint Recipe

Homemade Chocolate Peanut Caramels

Homemade Chocolate Peanut Caramels are soft, chewy and indulgent! Melt in your mouth caramels that are loaded with roasted salted peanuts and a drizzle of dark chocolate.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Total time: 30 minutes plus cooling time

INGREDIENTS

• Caramels
• 1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• Toppings
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Take a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan and spray it with nonstick spray. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit inside of the pan and go up 1 inch on each side. Place the parchment in the pan and spray with nonstick spray.
2. Cut butter into small pieces and add in heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until butter has melted.
3. In a medium sized saucepan, mix together the water, corn syrup and sugar carefully so you don't splatter the sugar up the sides.
4. Heat over medium heat until the sugar comes to a boil. Cover with a lid for 1 minute to add moisture to the pan to remove sugar from the sides.
5. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan and cook sugar until it reaches exactly 320 degrees (about 5-10 minutes). The sugar will be light amber colored.
6. Right when the sugar is 320 degrees, pour 1/6 of the butter and cream mixture into the pan and stir it with your candy thermometer. Continue until all of the butter and cream is mixed into the sugar. It will be bubbling a lot.
7. The temperature will drop with the addition of the cream/butter. Continue cooking until the temperature reaches exactly 245 degrees.
8. Right when the caramel is 245 degrees, pour it into your loaf pan. 
9. Let cool for 5 minutes and add in the peanuts lightly pushing them into the caramel a bit so they don't fall out when you cut the caramel.
10. Let the caramel fully cool for 3 1/2 hours.
11. Take the parchment paper out of the pan with the caramel in it. Use your sharpest knife to cut the caramels. I like cutting it into 6 x 5 pieces so I ended up with 30 pieces. You can certainly cut it into smaller pieces as well.
12. If desired, melt chocolate carefully in a microwave safe bowl. With a small spoon, drizzle the caramels with chocolate. Let chocolate dry.
13. Wrap caramels individually in parchment paper to enjoy later if you like or enjoy right away.

Enjoy!

*Feel free to use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate if you prefer.

**If you like a firmer caramel, let your caramel sit for longer in the pan to cool until it turns firmer how you prefer it.

***Follow directions for this recipe very carefully to ensure that it turns out correctly.

Recipe adapted from Inspired Taste.

More desserts using peanuts or peanut butter

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This post is sponsored by The Peanut Institute. I feel proud to partner with them because we are huge fans peanuts and peanut butter.