Cherry-Almond-Chocolate Clusters

Recipe by: Ellie Krieger | from So Easy: Luscious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Week

Cookstr

Course: Dessert

Total Time: Under 1 Hour

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Inexpensive

Photo by Joseph De Leo

The combination of crunchy toasted almonds and chewy sweet-tart cherries covered in rich dark chocolate is about as close to the definition of "pure pleasure" as you can possibly get. Close your eyes as you eat one for the maximum effect.

Yield: Maked 12 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 cup whole roasted almonds, coarsely chopped
½ cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped
6 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate (60% to 70% cocoa solids), finely chopped

Directions

In a medium bowl, toss together the almonds and cherries. Line a baking sheet with wax paper.

Melt half of the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over slightly simmering water, over the lowest possible heat, stirring frequently; make sure the water is not touching the top pan. Remove the double boiler from the heat, and stir in the rest of the chocolate until melted. Remove the top pan with the chocolate in it, gently wipe the bottom of it, and set it aside for a moment. Replace the simmering water in the bottom pan with warm tap water. Put the pan of melted chocolate on top of the warm water. This will keep the chocolate at the right temperature while you make the clusters.

Stir the fruit/nut mixture into the chocolate. Spoon out heaping tablespoon-size clusters of the chocolate mixture onto the baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Put them in the refrigerator to cool and set for about 20 minutes. Store and serve at room temperature.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutritional information is provided by the author.

Serving Size: 1 Cluster

Per Serving:
Calories: 150
Total Fat: 10g
Sat Fat: 3g
Mono Fat: 4g
Poly Fat: 1.5g
Protein: 4g
Carb: 15g
Fiber: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 5mg

Good Source of Manganese