Grab a large microwave-safe bowl and pour in the chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Heat in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until smooth and melted. It usually takes about 1½ to 2 minutes total. You want the texture to be silky, with no lumps.

Chef’s Tip: Don’t walk away from the microwave—chocolate chips can go from smooth to scorched fast. Stir often and use a rubber spatula for even mixing.

Once melted, stir in the maple syrup. You’ll notice the mixture thickens slightly. That’s normal! The syrup gives the clusters that warm, slightly earthy maple flavor that sets these apart from regular chocolate peanut clusters.

Add the peanuts to the bowl and stir until every nut is coated with the chocolate-maple mixture. This part smells amazing—it’s where everything comes together.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. Use a spoon or small cookie scoop to drop clusters onto the surface. Aim for about 1 to 2 tablespoons per cluster.

Pop the tray in the fridge for about 30 minutes until the clusters are firm. If you're in a rush, 15 minutes in the freezer works too.