Indulge your senses with these irresistible Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cashew Clusters—a sweet and salty treat that will leave you craving more! Imagine rich, velvety dark chocolate enveloping perfectly toasted cashews, all topped with a sprinkle of sea salt that elevates every bite. This simple yet decadent recipe takes just 25 minutes to prepare, making it the perfect snack for any occasion. Whether you're hosting a gathering or simply treating yourself, these clusters are sure to impress. Ready to dive into the deliciousness? Let’s get started!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 clusters
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of clusters.
- Toast raw cashews in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. This will enhance their natural nutty flavor and create a deeper, richer taste profile.
- Remove toasted cashews from heat and let them cool slightly on a plate, allowing them to reach a warm but not hot temperature.
- Create a double boiler by placing a heat-safe glass bowl over a pot of simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water.
- Add dark chocolate chips to the glass bowl and stir gently with a spatula, allowing them to melt slowly and smoothly. Maintain low, consistent heat to prevent chocolate from burning.
- Once chocolate is completely melted and smooth, remove from heat and fold in the toasted cashews, ensuring each nut is thoroughly coated with chocolate.
- Using a spoon or small cookie scoop, drop clusters onto the prepared baking sheet, creating approximately 12 uniform mounds.
- Immediately sprinkle sea salt over each cluster while chocolate is still wet, ensuring even distribution for balanced flavor.
- Transfer baking sheet to refrigerator and chill clusters for 10-15 minutes until chocolate fully sets and hardens.
- Remove from refrigerator and let clusters sit at room temperature for 2-3 minutes before serving to soften slightly.
Tips
- Toast for Flavor: Don’t skip the toasting step! Toasting the cashews enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to your clusters. Just keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.
- Gentle Melting: Use a double boiler to melt the chocolate slowly and gently. This method prevents the chocolate from seizing up or burning, ensuring a smooth and glossy finish.
- Perfect Portioning: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to create uniform clusters. This not only makes for a beautiful presentation but also ensures that each bite has the perfect balance of chocolate and cashew.
- Timing is Key: Sprinkle the sea salt immediately after forming the clusters while the chocolate is still wet. This helps the salt stick and ensures an even distribution of flavor.
- Chill for Best Results: Allow the clusters to chill in the refrigerator until the chocolate is fully set. This step is crucial for achieving that satisfying snap when you bite into them.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 160kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
