Cacao Nut Clusters

This simple recipe for Cacao Nut Clusters is very easy to make and a sure crowd pleaser! This clean eating, fun chocolatey treat is dairy free, processed sugar free and paleo. Essentially these fun little bite-sized treats are made using nuts + clean eating, paleo 'chocolate'.

This recipe is very versatile and can also be made using coconut oil in place of cacao butter. You can also make these into Carob Nut Clusters by substituting cacao powder for raw carob powder.

These are a great dairy free, low in natural sugar alternative to sugar-rich and dairy filled chocolate. Remember these are still 'treats'! Enjoy on special occasions, at celebrations or every now and then.

To make the healthiest version of these goodies simply using carob powder in place of cacao powder (carob is less of a stimulant) and use liquid stevia drops to sweeten.

I love making these for homemade gifts at Christmas time also. If you love making homemade treats too you will find my favourites in my Christmas recipe ebook.

Course Dessert

Keyword Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Low FODMAP, Preservative Free, Refined Sugar Free, Soy Free, Vegan

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings

Ingredients

60 g Cacao Butter*, chopped into small pieces
3 tbsp (25g)Raw Cacao Powder
1 tbsp (20ml)Raw Honey, 100% Maple Syrupor equivalent sweetener of choice (such asLiquid Steviadrops)- use less if you like
1 cup (150g) mixed Nuts of choice,** toasted
2 tbsp Cacao Nibs (optional)

Instructions

Pre-line a tray with grease-proof paper and keep aside in freezer/fridge. (A cold tray will help the chocolate to set).
Melt cacao butter in a heat-proof bowl by placing on top of a second heat-proof bowl of hot water. Stir until melted.
In a mixing bowl combine melted cacao butter, cacao powder and chosen sweetener. Place in refrigerator for 2 -3 minutes to allow to slightly thicken.
Stir in nuts and mix to coat well.
Spoon tablespoon portions into individual clusters onto your pre-chilled tray. You can also spoon into mini patty cases.
Sprinkle with cacao nibs if using.
Place in refrigerator until chocolate is set.

Notes

Make it Personal:

Instead of using cacao powder you could also use raw carob powder.
You can also pour the melted mixture into a lined small baking tray and set as a slice. Cut into shapes once set in the fridge.

Recipe Tips:

**Our favourite nuts to use are dry roasted almonds. If using large nuts like brazil nuts or macadamia nuts roughly chop.
*You can also use melted extra virgin coconut oilin place of cacao butter.

Sensitive to Nuts?

To make this recipe nut free substitute nuts for toasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and/or shredded coconut.

Sensitive to FODMAPs?

Avoid using honey to sweeten and instead choose pure maple syrup, rice malt syrup or liquid stevia.
Avoid cashews or pistachios and instead opt for a mix of tolerated nuts or seeds and stick to small quantities.