Salted Chocolate Espresso Nut Clusters

If you’re looking for a last-minute holiday recipe to bring to a party, look no further! No need to make a batch of cookies when you can whip up these salted chocolate espresso nut clusters. Chocolate + Coffee + Nuts are the perfect holiday treat!

This chocolate nuts recipe is super easy to make, and I bet you have all of the ingredients already in your pantry. Plus, research shows that chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can be a great addition to your diet and has many health benefits. 

RECIPE DETAILS

Dark chocolate-covered almonds are one of my favorite healthy snacks! This chocolate nut recipe is a slightly more decadent approach. Pistachios give the chocolate nut clusters a beautiful holiday green color, and the hint of the espresso is a wonderful addition.

Super dark chocolate and milk chocolate are melted and blended with espresso powder for a subtle chocolate-covered coffee bean flavor. Almonds, macadamia nuts, and pistachios are then mixed into the melted coffee chocolate and scooped onto parchment paper to form the nut clusters. Flakey sea salt is sprinkled on top of the chocolate-covered nuts before the chocolate has hardened.

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

HOW TO MELT CHOCOLATE IN THE MICROWAVE

Melting chocolate should be a simple task, but that’s not always the case. Chocolate burns easily and can also seize up, turning it into a thick gritty paste. This usually happens if your chocolate gets too hot or if water is introduced.

I find that melting chocolate in the microwave is not only the easiest method but the quickest. You simply break the chocolate bar into small pieces or use dark chocolate chips. Then, heat your chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stir, and repeat until chocolate is smooth and shiny.

HOW TO MELT CHOCOLATE WITHOUT A MICROWAVE

Wondering how to melt chocolate without a microwave? It’s actually pretty simple. First, simmer water in a small saucepan, then place a big glass or metal bowl on top. Add your chocolate and coconut oil to the bowl and stir until the chocolate is shiny and smooth. 

YUMMY INGREDIENTS

Good Dark Chocolate 80% or greater

Instant Espresso Powder

Almonds

Pistachios

Macadamia Nuts

Coconut Oil

Flakey Sea Salt

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE BARK

Chocolate bark is a classic Holiday treat. I find that chocolate nut cluster recipes can easily be changed into chocolate bark. Instead of scooping the chocolate nuts into clusters, I spread the chocolate into a layer on a lined baking sheet. Once the chocolate is set and has hardened I break it into chocolate bark pieces. Here’s another great chocolate bark recipe you should try. 

WHAT ARE THE BEST NUTS WITH CHOCOLATE?

Honestly, it’s purely an individual choice of taste. Traditional chocolate and nut pairings like dark chocolate and almonds, white chocolate and macadamia nuts, or walnuts and milk chocolate are all great choices. If you’re like me, my desserts are based on what ingredients I happen to have on hand at the time. 

This chocolate nut cluster recipe uses dark chocolate, almonds, macadamia nuts, and pistachios. As long as you keep the nut to chocolate ratio the same, feel free to experiment with what kind of nuts are available to you or fit your dietary/allergy needs.

ARE CHOCOLATE-COVERED NUTS HEALTHY?

While dark chocolate, coffee, and nuts all have health benefits, they are also high and calorie-dense, and high in fat. It’s best to enjoy these delicious chocolate nut clusters in moderation. I definitely allow for a few more sweets during the Holiday season and try to clean up my diet again in January.

WHAT IS THE BEST TYPE CHOCOLATE FOR CHOCOLATE COVERED NUTS?

I always go for good quality bittersweet dark chocolate, but semi-sweet or milk chocolate can be used to make these chocolate-covered nuts. Chocolate almond bark is another option I sometimes prefer as it can be easier (and cheaper) to work with when making large batches of chocolate-covered holiday goodies.

It's strictly a preference, and you may need to try a few kinds of chocolates out to discover what your favorite chocolate nuts combinations are. Remember to keep the chocolate to nut ratio the same as in the recipe below and your recipe will be a show stopper!

HOW TO STORE

How do I store these chocolates? Place in an airtight container and store at room temperature for about 2 weeks. 

WHAT ARE CHOCOLATE NUT CLUSTERS?

Well, they are melted chocolate and nuts mixed, then scooped out into clusters. They’re a quick and easy treat that is usually made around the holiday season, taken to Christmas parties, eaten as holiday treats, or shared as a food gift. Looking for more recipes that make the perfect holiday gifts? Thy this easy banana nut bread with pecans recipe.  

📖 Recipe