Best Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters Recipe

Introduction

These Best Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters combine rich dark chocolate with crunchy roasted almonds, finished with a sprinkle of sea salt and turbinado sugar for a perfect sweet and salty treat. They are simple to make and perfect for snacking or gifting.

Ingredients

• 2.25 cups almonds (whole roasted lightly salted)
• 9 oz dark chocolate (60% cacao bittersweet chips)
• 0.25 tsp vanilla extract
• Sea salt flakes (such as Maldon) for garnish
• Turbinado sugar for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 300°F. Spread the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast for 10-12 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until fragrant and slightly warmed. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
2. Step 2: Place the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt using 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract once melted.
3. Step 3: Add the toasted almonds to the melted chocolate and fold gently with a spatula until all almonds are evenly coated.
4. Step 4: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop spoonfuls of the chocolate-almond mixture onto the sheet, spacing about an inch apart. Immediately sprinkle each cluster with Maldon sea salt flakes followed by turbinado sugar.
5. Step 5: Let the clusters sit at room temperature until the chocolate is firm, about 1-2 hours. For faster setting, refrigerate for 20-30 minutes. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Tips & Variations

• Use high-quality dark chocolate for a smoother melt and richer flavor.
• Try substituting almonds with other nuts like pecans or walnuts for variety.
• If you prefer a sweeter cluster, add a pinch of cinnamon or a drizzle of honey to the chocolate mixture before forming clusters.
• For quicker cooling, place clusters in the fridge but avoid freezing to preserve texture.

Storage

Store the clusters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want them to stay firmer longer, keep them in the refrigerator. Before serving chilled clusters, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?

Yes, you can substitute milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter and creamier cluster, but the sea salt garnish pairs especially well with the bitterness of dark chocolate.

How do I prevent the chocolate from seizing while melting?

Melting chocolate in short 30-second intervals in the microwave and stirring thoroughly between each session helps prevent overheating and seizing. Also, make sure no water comes into contact with the chocolate during melting.

Best Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 71 reviews

• Author: Julian
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 clusters 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

These Best Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters are a decadent yet simple treat combining roasted almonds with smooth, melted dark chocolate, finished with a sprinkle of sea salt and turbinado sugar for a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. They are easy to prepare and perfect as a snack or dessert.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the clusters:

• 2.25 cups almonds (preferably Blue Diamond whole roasted lightly salted)
• 9 oz dark chocolate (Ghirardelli 60% cacao bittersweet chips recommended)
• 0.25 tsp vanilla extract

For the garnish:

• Sea salt (Maldon sea salt flakes preferred)
• Turbinado sugar

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Instructions

1. Toast Almonds: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast them for 10-12 minutes, stirring once halfway through to ensure even toasting, until fragrant and slightly warmed. This refreshes the almonds and helps them bind better with the chocolate. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
2. Melt Chocolate: Place the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt the chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each to prevent burning or seizing. Continue until the chocolate is smooth and silky. Stir in the vanilla extract once melted.
3. Combine Almonds and Chocolate: Add the toasted almonds to the melted chocolate. Gently fold with a spatula to coat every almond evenly, working quickly but carefully to avoid breaking the nuts apart.
4. Form Clusters: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a spoon or small cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the chocolate-almond mixture onto the parchment, spacing about an inch apart.
5. Add Garnish: Immediately top each cluster with a pinch of Maldon sea salt flakes, followed by a light sprinkle of turbinado sugar. The sea salt helps the sugar adhere to the chocolate and adds visual appeal and crunch.
6. Set Clusters: Allow the clusters to set at room temperature for 1-2 hours until the chocolate is firm. For quicker setting, refrigerate for 20-30 minutes. Once set, store clusters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Notes

• Using high-quality dark chocolate like Ghirardelli ensures smooth melting and rich flavor.
• Lightly salted roasted almonds help balance the sweet chocolate but can be substituted with raw almonds if preferred.
• To speed up the setting process, refrigerate the clusters instead of waiting at room temperature.
• Store clusters in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain texture and flavor.
• Maldon sea salt flakes add crunch and a delicate saltiness that complements the chocolate perfectly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: dark chocolate almond clusters, sea salt chocolate clusters, easy chocolate almond recipe, roasted almonds, sweet and salty snack