Easy Dark Chocolate Fruit and Nut Clusters
These chocolate clusters are a perfect, no-bake treat that make a fantastic and healthyish holiday gift or indulgence. With just 3-4 ingredients, you can have them ready in under an hour!
As the holidays approach, it’s the season to enjoy sweet treats—but not all of them have to be unhealthy. It’s perfectly fine to indulge, don’t get me wrong, but these chocolates manage to balance by combining nutritious ingredients. These aren’t your typical clusters full of fatty ingredients. Using staple ingredients from the Mediterranean kitchen, such as walnuts and dried fruits, I combine them with dark chocolate rich in cacao solids (meaning less sugar and more antioxidants). The result is a sweet treat with added health benefits.
Why You’ll Love These Clusters
- Simple Preparation: No special equipment needed—just a pot of boiling water to melt the chocolate.
- Nutritious Twist: Dark chocolate with high cacao content provides antioxidants and is dairy free, while walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and good fats. Additions like figs, dates, and cranberries contribute fiber and natural sweetness.
- Quick and Easy: In about 45 minutes of chilling, they’re ready to enjoy!
A Healthier Chocolate: The Dietitian’s Take
- These clusters combine dark chocolate, a source of antioxidants and less sugar as well as dairy free, with tahini for healthy fats. The dried fruits add fiber add natural sweetness, while walnuts provide omega-3 fatty acids and protein. It’s a treat that satisfies your sweet tooth without being overly indulgent.
- Enjoy these as a healthier alternative to traditional sweets and feel good about sharing them this holiday season! And it’s vegan.
Easy Chocolate Fruit and Nut Clusters Ingredients
- Dark Chocolate: Choose a chocolate with at least 65% cacao for a rich, bittersweet flavor and lower sugar content. It forms the base of the clusters.
- Tahini: Sesame seed paste adds depth of flavor and helps create a smooth, luxurious texture in the chocolate mixture.
- Walnuts: These nuts are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, good fats, and protein. They add crunch and a nutty flavor to the clusters.
- Dried Cranberries: Sweet and tart, cranberries provide a pop of color and natural sweetness along with a dose of antioxidants.
- Dried Figs: Figs add a chewy texture and natural sweetness.
- Dried Dates: Naturally sweet and soft, dates enhance the flavor.
- Kosher Sea Salt: A light sprinkle of salt balances the overall flavor, adding a subtle savory contrast.
Substitutions
You can use other nuts such as pistachios, almonds, pecans as well as other dried fruit. However, the ones I used have the highest nutritional value.
How to Make Chocolate Fruit and Nut Clusters
Prepare Ingredients:
Chop the figs and dates (leave the cranberries whole).
Break the walnuts into halves or coarse pieces; avoid finely chopping. Combine the dried fruits and walnuts in a bowl.
Melt Chocolate:
Break the chocolate into smaller pieces.
Using a bain-marie (double boiler) or a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally.
Once melted, mix in the tahini until smooth.
Combine and Shape:
Remove the bowl from heat and fold in the dried fruit and walnut mixture.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop heaping teaspoons of the chocolate mixture onto the sheet, shaping clusters.
Add Finishing Touches:
Sprinkle each cluster with a pinch of sea salt and decorative sprinkles, if desired.
Chill:
Place the tray in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until the clusters harden.
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Storage and Freezing Chocolate Fruit and Nut Clusters
You can store chocolate fruit and nut clusters in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for about 2 weeks. If it is warm in your house or where you live you place them in the refrigerator.
Can You Freeze Chocolate Fruit and Nut Clusters?
Yes you can, once the clusters are set, you can store them to a freezer bag or container and put them in the freezer. They will keep for up to 3 months.
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Easy Chocolate Fruit and Nut Clusters
Ingredients
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Chop the figs and dates (leave the cranberries whole). Break the walnuts into halves or coarse pieces; avoid finely chopping. Combine the dried fruits and walnuts in a bowl.
- Break the chocolate into smaller pieces and Using a bain-marie (double boiler) or a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally. Once melted, mix in the tahini until smooth.
- Remove the bowl from heat and fold in the dried fruit and walnut mixture.
- Scoop heaping teaspoons of the chocolate mixture onto the sheet, shaping clusters.
- Sprinkle each cluster with a pinch of sea salt and decorative sprinkles, if desired.
- Chill by placing the tray in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until the clusters harden.
