I like keeping a bag of these gorgeous clusters in my freezer for when that sweet tooth kicks in. They are super easy to make and so yummy. This recipe is no bake and so wonderfully easy and the perfect addition to any dessert table or holiday party!
They are dense yet light, and the almond butter-white chocolate has a melt-in-your mouth quality. They are crispy and crunchy, yet soft and chewy. I give them a 1 on work, 10 on reward. I wish all sweet treat recipes delivered those results.
What I love about these clusters is that they turn those leftover baking ingredients, like half bags of dried cranberries, apricot pieces and almonds into a beautiful dessert or snack that looked planned all along. They are so simple to make and are easily adjusted to what you have on hand.
Unlike a traditional one big slab of chocolate bark, these sweets were made by shaping them into clusters, so they come out looking as great as they taste into delightful one serving portions.
Make these treats all year round, substituting seasonal dried fruits and different nuts for the occasion. Try adding pastel food coloring for birthday party candies or swap out the cranberries for dried cherries. Or swap the almonds for macadamia nuts.
Some more ideas for variation:
Fruit: Sweet and tangy fruit or berries pair well with creamy white chocolate. Try dried mango or pineapple for a more tropical flavor and add some shredded coconut. If you can find them, dried raspberries would also taste delicious.
Toasted Nuts: Toasting nuts in the oven before using in candies and bark is a great way to add an extra layer of flavor. Toss them in a spicy seasoning to add zing that balances out the sweetness.
Chocolate: While white chocolate is delicious and rich, these would taste just as good substituting dark or semi-sweet chocolate. You can also decorate by dipping your clusters halfway into melted chocolate.
Candy Bars: Make these into White Chocolate Fruit and Nut Bars. Make a simple base out of 1 cup nuts and 1 cup dates blended and press into an 8×8-inch pan as one even layer. Assemble your cluster mixture on top and chill for 1 hour. Slice into even bars.
Make your own creation but whatever you put in them, you can bank of it that these nut clusters will be sweet, salty, nutty and crunchy, and incredibly delicious. Everyone who tries them, thinks they are amazing and has no clue they are sugar-free.
Personally, I love using them in place of a protein bar for a low carb snack. But, they also make a great quick breakfast or even dessert! They are also SO good broken up and sprinkled on my oats or smoothie bowl in the morning. They are such a handy tool to satisfy my craving for a sweet-savory treat in the afternoon.
They also make standout gifts – box them up with each cluster in its own foil or paper candy cup or wrap with cellophane and tie off with decorative ribbon.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy this versatile, delish recipe as much as I do.
White Chocolate Fruit and Nut Clusters
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almonds or walnuts
- 1/2 cup dried apricots, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup dried blueberries
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup cup seeds – hemp, chia, sunflower, pumpkin or sesame
- 1/2 cup almond (or any other nut or seed) butter
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper or use a silicon baking mat.Place chocolate chips, coconut oil and almond butter in a medium-sized bowl and microwave with 30 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and almond butter together.Once melted add chopped nuts, fruit and seeds to the bowl and mix all together until well combined and thoroughly coated in the almond butter chocolate sauce.Scoop out about 1½ tablespoon-size clusters at a time onto the baking sheet.Makes around 16-20 clusters, depending on your preferred size and allow to set in fridge. Once cool, store in an airtight container.Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to about 7 days. So you can enjoy a cluster every single day during the week! Then if you want to keep them for longer, you can store them in an airtight container in the freezer for about 3 months. And when you want to eat one, you can either eat it frozen or let it thaw for a little bit in the fridge to soften up.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
