Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Coconut Clusters (Printable Version)
Toasted hazelnuts and coconut bound in glossy dark chocolate for crunchy, giftable clusters.
# What You'll Need:
→ Nuts & Coconut
01 - 1 cup whole hazelnuts, toasted
02 - 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, lightly toasted
→ Chocolate
03 - 8 ounces high-quality dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher), chopped
→ Extras
04 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
05 - Pinch of sea salt
06 - 1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional, for shinier chocolate)
# How To Make:
01 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toast hazelnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring regularly, until aromatic. Allow to cool; rub in a towel to remove skins if desired.
03 - Toast unsweetened shredded coconut in a dry skillet for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool completely.
04 - Melt dark chocolate and coconut oil, if using, in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water or in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
05 - Stir in pure vanilla extract and a pinch of sea salt to the melted chocolate.
06 - Fold toasted hazelnuts and coconut into the melted chocolate mixture, ensuring even coating.
07 - Scoop heaping tablespoons of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing clusters apart.
08 - Refrigerate clusters for 30 minutes, or until completely set.
09 - Transfer set clusters to an airtight container and keep at room temperature for up to one week.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Making your own nutty chocolate clusters at home tastes better than any store-bought version (and it’s easier than you think).
- They’re the perfect edible gift or pick-me-up for sudden chocolate cravings.
02 -
- If you rush the chocolate melting or use heat that’s too high, the chocolate might seize into a grainy, stubborn lump.
- Leaving the clusters too close together means they’ll bond into a mega cluster—tasty but nearly impossible to break apart prettily.
03 -
- Don’t leave the coconut unattended—it goes from golden to bitter in seconds.
- Handpick whole, shiny hazelnuts for the best crunch and freshest flavor.