Spring Inspired Dark Chocolate Fruit & Nut Clusters {DF, GF}
The recipe for these Spring Inspired Dark Chocolate Fruit & Nut Clusters were inspired out of my sheer desire to pimp up my chocolate. I mean eating chocolate on its own is super fun but when you adorn the top of melted chocolate with finely chopped nuts, sweet jewels of dried fruits and a smattering of pretty and edible rose petals it just takes eating dark chocolate to another level. I wanted to make something that celebrated spring and well I couldn't think of a better way than with chocolate. Plus it's been way too long since I posted anything to do with chocolate. It's a traversty that it's been so long between chocolate posts.
So I had to remedy that faux pas on my behalf and give you another reason to eat chocolate ASAP. This recipe I wanted super simple but to have a bit of bang with its buck. I had grand ideas of a super complicate but really delicious slice recipe with heaps of different layers but I stripped back my idea and went with melting the best quality chocolate you can find and raiding your cupboard and smattering beautiful things over the top of rounds of melted chocolate spread onto trays. It really is as simple as that. I went with using currants, dried apricots, finely chopped cashews and hazlenuts all finished with a flourish of dried rose petals I had stashed in my cupboard from my local Source Bulk Foods.
Don't be constrained the recipes if you don't have the ingredients I used here. Find what you have available in your cupboard and use that. Swap out the apricots and currants with cranberries or goji berries, sultanas, dried figs or if your flush dried cherries. Play with different nuts such as macadamia's, roasted almonds, or for a nut-free version use pepitas or sunflower seeds. As for the rose petal that is totally optional but makes a great visual feast when presenting to guests. I chose to use 90% Lindt Dark Chocolate as it is naturally gluten and dairy free. If you are not a fan of really dark chocolate opt for the 70% or 78% varieties or if dark chocolate is just not your thing full stop. Use your favourite chocolate instead.
Dark Chocolate Fruit & Nut Clusters
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: Nil
Ingredients (Makes 12-14 rounds)
- 200g 90% dark chocolate (or your favourite variety)
- 2 tbsp finely diced dried apricot
- 2 tbsp currants
- 2 tbsp finely chopped hazelnuts
- 2 tbsp finely chopped cashews
- 1 tbsp cocoa nibs
- 1 tbsp edible dried rose petals
Instructions
Line a large baking tray with baking paper and set aside.
Roughly chop up the dark chocolate and place into a large microwavable jug or bowl. Pop the bowl into the microwave and heat for 30-second bursts until just melted.
Spoon the melted chocolate onto the lined baking tray about a tablespoon at a time. Working quickly sprinkle on the dried fruit and nut, cocoa nibs and dried rose petals over the top of each round of melted chocolate.
Pop the tray into the fridge to set the chocolate for about 30 minutes. Remove the tray from the fridge and serve the Dark Chocolate Fruit & Nut Clusters immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Cooks NotesHave fun with different additions to the clusters. Don't be afraid to use what you have in the cupboard.
Don't like dark chocolate use your favourite variety instead.
