Just 4 ingredients in these addicting sweet and salty almond clusters. Toasting the almonds turns them up a notch!
Can I ramble on just a little more about how it’s been 2 years since Sally’s Baking Addiction cookbook was released? Or, actually, how I’ve been doing this full time blogging thing for 3 years. No, wait. How it’s been 4 years and 3 months since I published my first blog post (<– cringe.) and STILL to this day, I can’t believe this is my life. Everyday I get to do what I love and interact with bakers all around the world who want to connect, learn, quote Mean Girls and Friends (he’s her lobster!), and eat chocolate treats all day long.
You just get me. You’re my peeps. Forgive me for saying peeps.
Now let’s eat some chocolate already, k?
So I have to confess that today’s recipe isn’t really a recipe. It’s beyond easy, using only 4 ingredients, and one of them is… salt. Though there is a little method to its simplicity! Basically what we’ll be doing is making a version of my dark chocolate sea salt almonds. Remember those from this past summer? I made them because I had something similar from Trader Joe’s– almonds covered in dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt and turbinado sugar.
And they’re sorta healthy! All you’re eating is almonds and dark chocolate.
What we’ll do today, though, is form them into clusters instead of leaving them as individual chocolate covered almonds. It’s like eating a handful of the individual almonds at once (which is the only way to eat them in my opinion).
And it’s all soooo glorious!
Start with high quality almonds. Fresh, whole, and protein-packed Diamond of California almonds. My beloved brand for YEARS! And the best tasting, in my opinion. For a little extra flavor, let’s toast those almonds before we pour dark chocolate on top.
For the chocolate, you can use any pure quality chocolate like Ghirardelli or Baker’s baking bars, Lindt, Trader Joe’s pound plus bar, etc. I use semi-sweet, but bittersweet is just as tasty. Especially if you love deeper, darker chocolate flavor.
Basically– since there are few ingredients– make sure you’re using quality stuff. I guarantee you’ll taste a difference.
You can melt the chocolate using a double boiler or a microwave, whichever you prefer. You can also temper the chocolate, though that’s not necessary. I personally like these sea salt dark chocolate almond clusters right out of the refrigerator. And you should not refrigerate tempered chocolate. (If you’re interested in learning more about tempering chocolate, I blab on and on about it in Sally’s Candy Addiction cookbook! #nerd)
So once the melted chocolate and toasted almonds are perfectly combined, spoon into clusters, then sprinkle with sea salt and turbinado sugar. These two garnishes not only add a little exciting flavor, but a pleasant sweet and salty crunch as well. Essentially, those little sprinkles are everything. Which makes me realize how crazy fantastic actual sprinkles would be on top of these. Rainbow-topped sea salt dark chocolate clusters!! I’m doing it.
SO MANY CLUSTERS. Self control left the building about 5 posts ago.
But at least they’re a healthier choice, so we can totally pig out.
I had so much fun shooting these clusters that I made a video. I want to actually show you how simple these dark chocolate treats are. And I hope you try them!
Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters
Just 4 ingredients in these addicting sweet and salty almond clusters. Toasting the almonds turns them up a notch!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups (280g) Diamond of California whole almonds
- 8 ounces (226g) semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped1
- sea salt
- turbinado sugar (or any coarse/raw sugar)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 300°F (149°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Spread almonds out in a single layer and toast for 10-12 minutes, stirring once during that time. Set aside.
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or (carefully!) use the microwave. For the microwave, place the chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. Melt in 30 second increments, stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth. Alternatively, you can temper the chocolate. If tempering, do not store finished nuts in the refrigerator.
- Stir the almonds into the chocolate, making sure to coat each one. Spoon clusters onto a lined baking sheet, as large or small as you'd like. My clusters had about 10-12 almonds each in them. Sprinkle with a little sea salt and turbinado sugar, then allow chocolate to completely set. I placed the baking sheet in the refrigerator to speed it up!
- Store chocolate covered almonds in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
Recipe Notes:
- Make sure you're using high quality chocolate. I prefer Lindt, Baker's, or Ghirardelli. Trader Joe's Pound Plus bar works too! I usually use semi-sweet chocolate, but you can use bittersweet for a deeper and less sweet dark chocolate flavor.
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If you’re looking for another healthier chocolate treat, I have just the recipe for you! These healthy dark chocolate almond truffle balls have dates, almonds, and dark chocolate. Not what you’d expect, but it definitely works.
I’m working with Diamond of California to bring you today’s recipe. Thank you for helping me work with brands I love!
This is my ideal chocolate recipe. Lots of crunch and chocolate in every corner. I am making this at this moment. Cannot wait for them to harden, I keep sneaking almonds covered in melted chocolate. LOVE THIS!
Enjoy!!
Has anyone used chopped almonds at all? Wondering if that would work also?
Sally, these are dangerously easy! and so, so, so good! I’ll be honest, I made the individual dark chocolate almonds that inspired this recipe .. a full batch last night & a half batch the night before.. then tonight I made clusters. omg me & the hubby have just been devouring them! I did the original dark chocolate w/ sea salt & coarse sugar but I also did half in white chocolate w/ sea salt & non pareils. little funfetti clusters if you will! so good! thanks for another great recipe 🙂
Love that you used nonpareils!
Could I use Ghiradelli cocoa powder instead of melting the chocolate? and how would I do that? What would I need to add with it?
Thanks,
Lorin
These were addictive! I made a batch to bring to a new mama as almonds are considered a great food to eat while nursing… And, what new mama doesn’t want chocolate? Anyways, I’m due with my 2nd this week and CANNOT wait to make batch upon batch of these. Love this recipe.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Are almonds optional?
Why can’t tempered chocolate be refrigerated? Thanks!
Hi Susie! Keeping tempered chocolate in the refrigerator causes it to bloom, which is when the cocoa butter separates, rises to the surface, and you see a white film on top. Still safe to eat, but not very easy on the eyes!
How many clusters does this recipe make? Looks delicious. Thank you!
About 30
Looks delish, thank you! Are you using raw almonds or roasted? What about roasted & salted?
I typically use raw unsalted almonds and toast them in step 1. You can use whatever you like best.
I am a MAJOR fan of Guittard chocolate, I feel this is superiour.. I used to buy Nestle, but I object to their practices, whaling, etc, triedGuittard,and fell in love. Ghirardeli is good, but I prefer Guittard.
Do you happen to have the nutrition specs?
These look delicious! I will definitely make these soon!
One of my favorite treats. What a great idea Im so making this for Christmas. Thanks Sally!
What is the nutrition content (carbs, fat, etc..)for 1 cluster
I’m unsure of the nutritional info of this recipe, but there are many great online calculators like this one: https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calculator.asp
This is what I calculated using the link you provided.
Nutrition Facts
30 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 80.0
Total Fat 6.9 g
Saturated Fat 1.9 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.9 g
Monounsaturated Fat 2.4 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 0.0 mg
Potassium 53.3 mg
Total Carbohydrate 5.3 g
Dietary Fiber 1.3 g
Sugars 2.9 g
Protein 2.1 g
Vitamin A 0.0 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 0.0 %
Vitamin C 0.0 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 9.3 %
Calcium 2.1 %
Copper 4.0 %
Folate 0.0 %
Iron 2.7 %
Magnesium 5.3 %
Manganese 8.0 %
Niacin 0.0 %
Pantothenic Acid 0.0 %
Phosphorus 4.0 %
Riboflavin 4.0 %
Selenium 0.0 %
Thiamin 0.0 %
Zinc 0.0 %
I’m new to the keto life and these are mentioned as a keto snack. How are these keto approved is they consist of sugar? Aren’t you supposed to stay away from sugar?
Hi Nikki! I know very little about the keto lifestyle. This recipe doesn’t mention it. Did you read that these are keto friendly in a comment somewhere?
You would just replace the sugar with swerve or stevia and make sure the chocolate is unsweetened to make this Keto. Link for this recipe was found here https://www.xokatierosario.com/10-crazy-easy-keto-snacks-for-rapid-weightloss/ Thanks.
Can you just do the almonds (not toasted! And lilly’s Chocolate chips?
For holiday gifts, I have been making chocolate clusters with whatever I decide for each batch to put in, but some kind of nut was always one. Mine have been just chocolate and nuts. I’ve always liked the crumbled pretzel clusters–I always made sure to add-in any salt that fell off, so I know I’ll love these. I’ll have to wait till closer to the holidays to make these or there won’t be any left.
Almonds are harder nuts than some nuts like pecans or peanuts; chopping the nuts as someone asked about might be good for those who have difficulty with hard foods.