Walnut & Fig Chocolate Clusters
Growing up I loved getting assortments of chocolates, any kind—I loved them all! And probably my favorite out of the whole bunch were these dollops of creamy milk chocolate in which various selections of nuts were submerged—I got my hands on these chocolate nut clusters whenever I possibly could. The only real problem with these tasty snacks is that as delicious as they are, to that same extent they are not so good for your health. This is a problem which most snacks face, and one I wanted to see if I could find my way around when I was recently craving these chocolate nut clusters of my childhood. This recipe for walnut and fig chocolate clusters is what I came up with as an attempt at a solution. They’re completely indulgent but aren’t unhealthy, and they’re totally gratifying but won’t make you feel guilty.
Creating a more healthy substitute for my beloved chocolate nut clusters begins with focusing on a primary ingredient: the particular nut of choice. Walnuts are especially nutritious in several ways and immediately enhance this snack’s health benefits. And their savory, crunchy contribution is welcomed here as always. Next is chocolate. Dark chocolate is a much better alternative to milk chocolate, containing less sugar and packed with more nutrients. It also features more flavorful complexities unhindered by the otherwise intense sweetness of milk chocolate. It really adds a lot of personality to this recipe. In combination with the dark chocolate, I also add some coconut oil in my recipe which brings along a handful of health benefits. Lastly, dried figs lend a healthy dose of beneficial minerals to the mix while adding the flavor of berries mixed with the sweetness of honey.
The result is a delicious collection of dark chocolate-saturated bundles of walnuts—a snack that’s fully satisfying and actually pretty nutritious. Each ingredient exists in great balance with one another, which not only helps place each flavor in its proper order of priority but also helps each cluster’s overall healthiness. While the chocolate nut clusters I had growing up were basically tons of chocolate with a nut or two somewhere in the mix, these clusters are dominated by the presence of walnuts, which the chocolate just simply coats. The recipe is quick and straightforward, so everything comes together swiftly and easily. A batch of these is equally perfect for keeping around the house or on trips—they’re a consistent delight whenever and wherever you enjoy them.
Walnut & Fig Chocolate Clusters
Yields 10 Chocolate Clusters
9 oz dark chocolate
3/4 walnuts, preferably toasted
9 dried figs, diced
1 1/2 tsp coconut oil
Sea salt
Method
Roughly chop up the chocolate and add it to a heatproof bowl along with the coconut oil.
Set the bowl over a saucepan filled with about 1-2 inches of boiling water, stirring constantly until melted.
Once melted, carefully remove from heat. Add in the walnuts and figs, stirring until fully coated with chocolate.
Using a large spoon, scoop up a portion of the chocolate-nut mixture and drop onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Once each mound is formed, sprinkle the top of each one with a bit of flakey sea salt and place in the refrigerator until firm.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
This is a sponsored post. As always all opinions are my own.
