Christmas snacks CAN be healthy! These Chocolate Caramel Nut Clusters are high in protein and low in sugar, the perfect paleo snack for the festive period!
If I had to name two ingredients that I seem to buy in abundance this time of year then it has to be chocolate and nuts. Christmas just isn’t Christmas without having these nibbles to hand so I thought why not make them even better by combining them with some caramel. Mmmmm…. festive treats at their best!
I know I seem to be posting a lot of sweet treat recipes at the moment but hey, it’s Christmas and technically these Nut Clusters are healthy…. antioxidant rich dark chocolate, protein packed nuts and refined sugar-free caramel… it’s all good for us right?!!
I use cupcake tins to make these as it means I get a nice round shape to the clusters but it’s fine to use a normal baking tray instead. The first layer of chocolate sets the bottom of the clusters and binds the nuts together. Once this has cooled and set the caramel layer sits easily on top and the final layer of chocolate encases the top of the clusters. It sounds complicated but honestly they are so simple to make.
I used cashews, pecans and almonds but you can use any of your favourite nuts. To keep these treats as healthy as possible and low in sugar I used 70% cocoa chocolate but any type will work well.
These clusters would make a lovely edible gift. Simply wrap them up in cellophane and decorate with a festive ribbon. Your friends will be begging you for the recipe!
Chocolate Caramel Nut Clusters
Prep Time: 10 mins- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 12 1x
Category: Snacks
Cuisine: European
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Christmas snacks CAN be healthy! These Chocolate Caramel Nut Clusters are high in protein and low in sugar, the perfect paleo snack for the festive period!
Ingredients
- 200g dark chocolate
- 150g mixed nuts
- 7 tbsp coconut sugar
- 5 tbsp cold water
- 80ml coconut milk
- desiccated coconut or sea salt to garnish
Instructions
- Break the chocolate into small chunks and melt it either in the microwave or in a heat proof bowl over a pan of boiling water on the hob.
- Divide the mixed nuts between the twelve holes in a cupcake tray. Pour 1/2 tablespoon of the melted chocolate on top of each pile of nuts and place the tray in the fridge to allow the chocolate to harden.
- Meanwhile make the caramel by heating the coconut sugar and water together in a pan over a medium heat. Bring to the boil before adding the coconut milk and reducing to a high simmer. Cook for 10 -15 minutes until the caramel thickens, stirring regularly.
- When the caramel is ready remove the cupcake tray from the fridge and spoon approximately 1/2 teaspoon of caramel on top of each of the clusters. Add a final 1/2 tablespoon of melted chocolate on top and garnish with desiccated coconut or sea salt. Refridgerate again for 10 minutes.
- Once the clusters have cooled and set use a knife to loosen the edges and remove them from the cupcake tray.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
Optional: Drizzle the clusters with any remaining caramel once the chocolate has hardened
Beatrice says
March 1, 2018 at 11:02 amDesperately need the snow to stop so I can get to the shops and get the ingredients to try these! Everything I love in a snack!
★★★★★
Nicole says
February 26, 2015 at 10:00 pmHi,
These clusters sound fab. New to coconut milk etc. When I searched online it seems you get one in a carton like other milk products or the type I know that you put in curries. Which type I’d used in your recipe?
Ciara Attwell says
February 26, 2015 at 10:12 pmHi Nicole, I always use canned coconut milk. The type in cartons (like other milk products) often has lots of unnecessary additives, making it less healthy and also I can’t guarantee that the recipe would work the same.
Kaian says
February 8, 2015 at 7:47 pmWould cashew milk work in place of coconut milk?
Ciara Attwell says
February 8, 2015 at 9:37 pmI’m sorry I haven’t tried it with cashew milk so I can’t say for certain that it would
Fiver Feeds says
December 28, 2014 at 7:01 pmThese clusters looks amazing, I’ll have to make them as soon as possible! Great recipe!
★★★★★
Ciara Attwell says
December 29, 2014 at 10:14 amThank you. We really love them in our house!
Honest mum says
December 20, 2014 at 12:53 pmThese look gorgeous! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays x
★★★★★
Ciara Attwell says
December 20, 2014 at 8:31 pmThanks Vicki! xx
Sarah (@tamingtwins) says
December 18, 2014 at 10:14 pmARE YOU SERIOUS?! These are the stuff dreams are made of. I think you may be my food idol, you blog all of the things I want to eat but made a bit healthy. Thank you! x
★★★★★
Ciara Attwell says
December 20, 2014 at 12:15 pmThank you so much Sarah. That means a lot coming from you 🙂
Californian Mum in London says
December 17, 2014 at 10:36 pmWow! I am definitely going to make these. They look beyond delicious! #tastytuesdays
Ciara Attwell says
December 17, 2014 at 10:41 pmThank you. They are so tasty. Hope you love them!
Catherine says
December 17, 2014 at 7:19 amthese look AMAZING! #recipeswapclub
Ciara Attwell says
December 17, 2014 at 10:40 pmThank you Catherine!
Sophie says
December 16, 2014 at 9:05 amThese look delicious and would make perfect edible gifts!
Ciara Attwell says
December 16, 2014 at 9:12 amThank you Sophie!
Nic from Nic's Nutrition says
December 15, 2014 at 8:00 pmOMG these look amazing!! Discovered you from the recipe swap… yum!!! xx
★★★★★
Ciara Attwell says
December 15, 2014 at 8:43 pmThank you Nic. I love recipe swaps for discovering new blogs!
Chloe @ The Loveliest Food says
December 15, 2014 at 6:54 pmOh my. These look incredible and your photo’s are absolutely gorgeous!
Thanks so much for linking up to Recipe Swap Club,
Chloe x
Ciara Attwell says
December 15, 2014 at 8:42 pmThank you Chloe! xx
Lucy Parissi says
December 14, 2014 at 5:10 pmThese look delicious Ciara! Haven’t come across coconut sugar before but I will be on the lookout. Would love to try them out (well you say they are healthy but I need to check, right?)
thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare
Ciara Attwell says
December 15, 2014 at 1:05 pmYou should be able to find coconut sugar in a good health food store. Or I buy it in bulk on Amazon. And yes, as they are totally healthy you can have as many as you like!!!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
December 14, 2014 at 4:38 pmGorgeous! These look so tasty!
★★★★★
Ciara Attwell says
December 15, 2014 at 1:05 pmThank you Julie!
Vicki Montague says
December 12, 2014 at 3:47 pmAh, these look amazing! What a great idea! Love the sound of the caramel although getting coconut sugar isn’t too easy..
Ciara Attwell says
December 12, 2014 at 7:49 pmYou should be able to get it in most health food shops Vicki. Or I bulk buy it from Amazon, that’s the cheapest place. x
De Tout Coeur Limousin says
December 12, 2014 at 3:28 pmWow! This looks so good and healthy too. Have been looking for chocolate recipes to serve after festive dinners. This would be great with a cup of coffee. Bonjour and bon appetit too via #festivefoodfridays
★★★★★
Ciara Attwell says
December 12, 2014 at 7:49 pmYou are so right. This would be amazing after dinner with coffee. Merci!
Sarah James says
December 12, 2014 at 10:01 amChocolate, toffee & nuts, a delicious combo. My mouth is watering at the sight of these little beauties. I’ve never made caramel with coconut sugar & milk before, going to give it a try.
Popping over from #FestiveFoodFridays
Ciara Attwell says
December 12, 2014 at 7:50 pmYou definitely have to try the caramel Sarah. It’s so good!
Potty Mouthed Mummy says
December 12, 2014 at 8:30 amOh my, these look amazing. I adore chocolate and nut combinations. Will definitely be trying these xx
Ciara Attwell says
December 12, 2014 at 7:50 pmThank you. Hope you like them as much as we do!
Mirta Porley says
December 12, 2014 at 1:58 amMy God how wonderful .I will prepare them for gifts at Christmas
★★★★★
Ciara Attwell says
December 12, 2014 at 8:17 amThey would make fab Christmas gifts Mirta!