If you need a treat that is both simple and indulgent, Nut Clusters with Chocolate and Mixed Nuts are the answer. Made with rich chocolate and mixed nuts, these clusters come together in minutes and are perfect for gifting or enjoying anytime.
If you need something super simple to bring with you to a party, this is it! These bite-sized chocolate nut clusters are quick to make and are always a tasty treat to munch on. They work with any blend of your favorite nuts and are coated in rich, smooth chocolate. The perfect blend of sweet and crunchy.
If you are looking for another easy chocolatey treat, look no further than these Chocolate Covered Cherries, Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats, or these Chocolate Chunk Brownies With Pecans!
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make these homemade chocolate nut clusters:
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Ingredient Notes:
- Use the highest quality chocolate you can find. I like Valhrona, Ghirardelli, or Callebaut chocolate.
- You can use dark chocolate chips if you prefer; however, I like using a good-quality chocolate bar, chocolate bark, or wafers.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Additions and Substitutions
Though these chocolate clusters are simple, they're also easy to vary if you want to switch them up.
Additions:
- Dried fruit - stick to just one kind depending on what you have on hand. Cherries and chocolate tend to be a very rich and indulgent taste while something like dried apricots or strawberries are more refreshing and uplifting.
- Seeds - you can even make these clusters nut-free and use pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and hemp seeds in place of nuts. Thickly shaved, toasted coconut would be wonderful too.
- Sprinkles - make the chocolate nut clusters more festive by topping the chocolate with red and green sprinkles, shredded or ground coconut, or some edible glitter before they set.
- Extracts - Add a bit of peppermint extract to the chocolate once melted to make it have the coveted chocolate peppermint flavor.
- White chocolate - for an aesthetic twist you can use white chocolate either as a topper or as a decoration.
- Spice - spice up the cluster by adding a touch of ground red pepper to the melted chocolate.
Substitutions:
- Chocolate chips - if you aren't a fan of dark chocolate you can use milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, or even peanut butter chips.
How To Make Nut Clusters: Step-By-Step
Step 1: Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it in 30-second intervals stirring occasionally until melted. If you prefer, melt the chocolate on top of the stove using a double boiler.
Step 2: Set aside 1 tablespoon of the nuts and combine the rest of them into the chocolate until coated.
Step 3: Use a small spoon or cookie scoop to scoop some of the mixture into mini cupcake liners.
Step 4: Tap each cluster down lightly and then sprinkle the remaining nuts on top.
Place the pan into the refrigerator for 1-2 hours for the clusters to set and solidify. Then store either on the counter or in the refrigerator.
Recipe Tips
- Chocolate - make sure to heat the chocolate in increments, stirring every 30 seconds. Stop once the chocolate has just melted. If it burns it will become too sticky to mix.
- Nuts - I use whole, already roasted mixed nuts. You can use any nut of choice or a combination of nuts. Roasting the nuts brings out more of a nutty flavor.
Confidence Tip
These chocolate nut clusters are best served in the mini muffin cup liners as individual, bite-sized servings.
My other favorite dessert with chocolate that only has a couple of ingredients is the Chocolate Chow Mein Noodle Cookies Recipe.
Making The Chocolate Clusters into Gifts
These nutty clusters make thoughtful but easy gifts for friends and neighbors! Since they're already in mini muffin cups you can either add them to a candy tin or stack the muffin cups together for last minute gifts any time of year.
If you're stacking the clusters, wrap the stack in cellophane and tie it with a bow.
Add a homemade label with the ingredients and you're done.
Keep in mind you could also use these nutty clusters as part of a larger food basket with homemade cookies, caramels, and even chocolate cherry clusters.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use any nut you like to make chocolate nut clusters. Roasted nuts, raw nuts, or salted nuts all work in the recipe; however, roasted nuts will give the best flavor.
Hazelnuts, almonds, and peanuts pair well with dark chocolate, resulting in a rich, indulgent flavor.
Appetizers To Pair With This Dessert
Let me know your thoughts on these Nut Clusters by leaving a star rating below or by sharing it on Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, or Pinterest!
Thank you!
Gwen
Nut Clusters With Chocolate And Mixed Nuts
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips or chopped up bars
- 1 cup mixed nuts chopped, roasted, divided
Instructions
- Line a mini cupcake pan with liners. Set aside.
- Add the chopped chocolate to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals. Stir in-between untiil melted.
- Add all but 1 tablespoon of the mixed nuts to the chocolate. Combine.
- Spoon the chocolate nut mixture into the liners filling ¾ of the way to the top.
- Tap down the chocolate to release any bubbles.
- Sprinkle the remainder of the nuts on top.
- Let sit in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or until set. Store in an airtight container either on the countertop or in the refrigerator.
Anonymous says
Yum