This past weekend I was introduced to these Peanutty Pie Crust Clusters and now I am totally smitten.
You’re probably wondering what one earth Peanutty Pie Crust Clusters are…
These little gems are filled with tiny bits of flakey pie crust, salted cocktail peanuts and toffee bits then it’s glued together with a peanut butter enhanced white chocolate mixture. It may sound confusing, or even time consuming, but they’re delicious and definitely a quick treat.
This past weekend I was lucky enough to attend the 47th Pillsbury Bake-Off in Nashville, Tennessee. The Bake-Off has been an amateur baking competition since the 1950’s, and is still going strong, with a grand prize of ONE MILLION dollars!!
This year Pillsbury is doing things a little differently… They whittled down thousands of applicants to the top 100 recipes, then let them compete for the top spot in 4 different categories: Simply Sweet Treats, Savory Snacks and Sides, Weekend Breakfast Wows, and Amazing Doable Dinners. The judges then sampled and carefully selected a finalist from each category.
Here’s what the competition floor looked like. It was filled with 100 ovens, loads of countertops and busy ladies and a gentlemen working their tooshies off to fight for their spot as a finalist.
I was lucky enough to be there (along with a slew of other bloggers) to sample as many of the dishes as I could, and of course share it all with you guys!
Here I am with Carrie of Bakeaholic Mama, (me), Jocelyn of Inside BruCrew Life, and Dorothy of Crazy for Crust. Getting our game faces on for the plethora of food we were about to taste. 🙂
The judges had the difficult task of narrowing it down to the top recipe in each category, and now it’s up to YOU guys to help crown the winner!!
How amazing is it that you get to be a part of the competition? You can make each recipe and taste test them for yourself. Your vote can help make one of these lucky ladies become ONE MILLION dollars richer!
I’ve tasted them all, and man… it’s seriously difficult to pick a favorite.
I couldn’t help but want to make these Peanutty Pie Crust Clusters at home for myself to see how they turned out. They’re actually super easy to make, and definitely going on some Christmas cookie platters this year.
All you need to do is cut up one Pillsbury pie crust into tiny pieces. I found this was easiest to do with a pizza cutter.
Throw them on a baking sheet and bake them for just a few minutes until they turn a golden brown.
If you’re a fan of pie crust, you simply MUST try this recipe. The flakey pie crust bits are swirled together with melted white chocolate and just a touch of peanut butter. Toss in a bunch of peanuts and toffee bits for good measure, and drop them by the tablespoon on a parchment lined baking sheet to cool.
It’s such a clever recipe, and a fun one that even the kids can help with.
Don’t let me make up your mind though. You need to check out the other recipes too because they’re just as delicious!
Creamy Corn-Filled Sweet Peppers
Cuban-Style Sandwich Pockets
Chocolate Doughnut Poppers
Peanutty Pie Crust Clusters
And when you’re ready… make sure you VOTE!!
The winner will be announced LIVE on The Chew on December 3rd!
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Peanutty Pie Crust Clusters
Ingredients
- 1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box
- 1 bag, 12oz white vanilla baking chips (2 cups)
- 1 tablespoon Crisco Baking Sticks Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 cup salted cocktail peanuts
- 2/3 cup toffee bits
Instructions
- Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 cookie sheets with wax paper.
- Unroll pie crust on work surface. With pizza cutter or knife, cut into 16 rows by 16 rows to make small squares. Arrange squares in single layer on large ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove squares from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 5 minutes.
- In large microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips, shortening and peanut butter uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring once, until chips can be stirred smooth. Add pie crust squares, peanuts and toffee bits: stir gently until evenly coated. Immediately drop by heaping tablespoons onto lined cookie sheets. (If mixture gets too thick, microwave on High 15 seconds; stir) Refrigerate about 15 minutes or until set. Store covered.
Notes
Nutrition
Of course while I was in Nashville I made sure to get out with some of my sweet blogging friends! We hit up Hot Hattie B’s for some awesome chicken and waffles, then I went and snagged a cupcake from next door at Gigi’s Bakery. Carla Hall from The Chew and Top Chef was the host, and while I didn’t get a chance to meet her personally, I can tell you that she is as funny and sweet in person as she is on TV. I finally got to meet Lori (Recipe Girl) and we went searching for honkey tonks and line dancing. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to give the dough-boy a good squeeze too… hoo-hoo!
I had a blast with Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes), Joan (Chocolate, Chocolate and More) and so many more wonderful bloggers and friends.
There was lots and lots of eating this past weekend… I had some tasty artisan ice cream from Jeni’s and famous popsicles from Las Paletas. I’m going to need a good detox now…
Here are more recaps of the event from my other blogging buddies:
Picky-Palate
Recipe Girl
Grandbaby Cakes
Crazy For Crust
Inside BruCrew Life
disclosure: Thanks to Pillsbury for inviting me to the 47th Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest. This was not a compensated opportunity, but Pillsbury did cover the cost of my travel and hotel.
I’ve made so many batches of these since I found this recipe. They are a Christmas treat for my friends and neighbors. Thanks for adding this recipe, Shawn!
Hi, just puzzled . . . you listed 1 Tbl Orange . . . I think it was supposed to be peanut butter?
Yes, I’m so sorry! It should be 1 tbsp of peanut butter. I’ll update the recipe now.
could you use cookie butter or nutella in place of pb???
Of course! That sounds like a great alternative! 🙂
Can you use butter instead of butter flavored shortening?? These look and sound outstanding!
I would stick with the shortening. It will help to give the chocolate a better consistency.
Such a great re-cap, girl! 🙂 I loved hanging out with you! And these clusters, yummmmm! I’m going to have to make some soon!!
Fun times! Thanks for letting me tag along with you guys 🙂
Looks like it was a blast! And these clusters look so tasty too!
It was so fun! Thanks Stephanie! 🙂
Shawn, I was excited to see you made my clusters! Glad you liked them!
Beth, these were so delicious!! Even my husband (who is not a pie crust fan… who is this guy?!) had two, and said they were amazing! Thanks for being an awesome inspiration!! 🙂 Good luck!!
Hi my sweet Pizza Cake lady, it was so awesome hanging with you and can’t wait to hang again! Also those peanutty pie crust treats were beyond delish!
Haha!! I’ll forever be known as “Pizza Cake” whenever I am around you, huh?! It’s my shameless plug… what can I say? 😉 Great getting to see you again!!
Love your re-cap!! Such a fun time in Nashville!!! xo
Thanks Jenny, it was great getting to see you again!! 🙂
I loved the picture of the chairs in front of the ovens! What a fun trip!! I know it was a blast to taste all those fun creations. Hmm, this sounds delicious and so simple. I will be trying this one out. Pinned!
Thanks Joanna! 🙂
It was so great to hang out with you again!!! Love these clusters.
It was awesome getting to see you again too Dorothy! You’re so fun! 🙂
SO fun to FINALLY meet you!!!!! You are as sweet and wonderful as I knew you would be. Can’t wait for our next trip so we can hang out and dance some more 🙂
It was awesome getting to finally meet you too! We will shake it on the dance floor for sure!! 😉
What a fun competition and OMG I think I would go nuts over these clusters, they sound delicious!!
It was a blast, and yes! These clusters are amazing, you totally need to try them! 🙂