Sunday, July 26, 2015

Chocolate Fruit & Nut Clusters

Chocolate Fruit & Nut Clusters Photo

Okay I'll admit it. I'm a candy girl. No matter the weather, no matter the season, I crave candy. Usually in chocolate form. I can't help myself. It's just who I am.

When I go to the movie theatre I always order a trough of popcorn, and a huge bag of chocolate candies. I gobble up all the popcorn first and save my beloved candy for later.

Why do I do this? So I don't have to share. What? Don't judge me. I'm just keeping it real. If I open the candy in the theatre, everyone is going to want a piece. Kim don't share.

Chocolate Fruit & Nut Clusters Picture

Okay, so once in a blue moon I share. But not very often. I tend to hoard candy. If there was a TV show called "candy hoarders" I would totally be on that show. I'd probably host it, for crying out loud.

One thing I've learned over the years is if I make candy myself I'm much more willing to share it. I'm not sure why this is. Probably because I tend to make 3 dozen batches and end up with too much.

What I dig about making my own chocolate candy recipes is I can tweak them for my mood. The day I made these I was feeling all "I'm going to start working out and conquer the world". So I made these. Then took a nap.

Chocolate Fruit & Nut Clusters Image

I figure you gotta start slow, right. Conquering the world requires someone to be well rested and well fed. So after my power nap, I woke up and "taste-tested" a couple dozen of these for you guys. My job is hard. So hard.

I'm giving these two thumbs up. Powerful, world conquering thumbs at that. I gobbled up a bunch. Hubs gobbled up a bunch. I may have kicked him in the shins a little bit when he took too many. Then I gobbled up some more.

So I can tell you with absolute certainty these little cuties are delish. They are super easy to make, you don't even need to heat up your house. Just melt the chocolate in the microwave. Fast, efficient and keeps your house cool.

I used all of my favourite healthy stuff to mix into these. I added dried cherries, pistachios and coconut. You can totally swap any of those out if your taste varies from mine. Use apricots, almonds and raisins, that combination is stellar as well.

Chocolate Fruit & Nut Clusters Pic

These are a semi-healthy chocolate candy treat. As far as chocolate can be healthy. If you want them even healthier swap out the chocolate for dark chocolate. If you want elegant, toss some fleur de sel on top. The possibilities are endless.

You can drop them with a spoon on a cookie sheet, or you can get creative like I did. I spooned mine into mini muffin tins. They make perfect little bite sized treats.

So go make a batch, or ten, of these. Then go conquer the world. Or take a nap. Whatever.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces chocolate, milk or dark, broken into pieces
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup dried cherries
  • 1 cup pistachios
  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl combine the chocolate and butter. Pop the bowl in the microwave for one and a half to two minutes, checking and stirring every 30 seconds for the first minute, and every 15 seconds for the last minute. Mine was done at 1 minute and 15 seconds. Every microwave varies so keep a close eye on it.
  2. Add the dried cherries, pistachios and coconut. Mix well.
  3. Drop the mixture into a mini muffin tin sprayed with non-stick spray.
  4. Put the pan in the fridge until chocolate firms up. Takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
  5. Serve with a big old chocolate candy loving smile!

Notes

  • You can double this recipe easily. You can also increase or decrease any amount of add-ins to your own taste.

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