For as long as I have holiday memories, I can see the wax paper lining the kitchen table, scattered with palm-sized clusters of chocolate and peanuts. As a kid, they were never a dessert I looked forward to eating, but I loved making them. Scoop, plop. “Like that?” Scoop, plop. “Looks good!”
This year is the first Christmas where my daughter might start collecting memories. In this weird year, I’ve felt extra social-media-fueled pressure to introduce something memorable, but more importantly as a family tradition. Peanut Ploppers didn’t even cross my mind until I was asked about my own family’s holiday dessert traditions. Now looking back, these humble, chocolatey treats might actually be the perfect holiday dessert and family tradition.
Peanut Ploppers
Prep Time: 30 min
Makes: 3 dozen ploppers
Ingredients
- 1 POUND OF SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE BAKING BAR
- 4 CUPS OF SPANISH PEANUTS (ACCORDING TO MY MOM, “SOMETHING ABOUT THE LITTLE RED SKINS MADE IT BETTER.”)
- The ratios can be customized to your family’s liking
Directions
Tips
- A Plopper always starts with a chocolate base but can be filled with anything salty and crunchy. Some variations we’ve tried and like include other types of nuts, potato chips, pretzel chunks, and chow mein noodles.
