Festive Citrus Clusters Delight (Printable Version)

Bright citrus and creamy white chocolate with toasted almonds create a sweet, crunchy holiday snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Citrus and Nuts

01 - 1 cup whole almonds, toasted
02 - 1 cup dried cranberries
03 - 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
04 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

→ Chocolate

05 - 10 ounces white chocolate, chopped

→ Garnish (optional)

06 - 2 tablespoons candied orange peel, finely chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons pistachios, chopped

# How To Make:

01 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, mix toasted almonds, dried cranberries, orange zest, and lemon zest until evenly distributed.
03 - Place chopped white chocolate in a heatproof bowl and melt over simmering water, stirring until smooth, or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between bursts.
04 - Pour melted white chocolate over the almond and cranberry mixture and stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Using a tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing slightly apart.
06 - While clusters remain soft, sprinkle candied orange peel and chopped pistachios over each cluster as desired.
07 - Let clusters set at room temperature for about 20 minutes or refrigerate for 10 minutes until firm.
08 - Transfer set clusters to an airtight container and keep in a cool place for up to one week.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come together in under half an hour, so you can make them between errands or right before guests arrive.
  • The bright citrus cuts through the sweetness in a way that feels refreshing instead of heavy.
  • No oven required, which means no timing stress and no risk of overbaking.
  • They look fancy enough to gift but forgiving enough that even messy spoonfuls turn out beautiful.
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the almonds, raw nuts taste flat and the texture won't have that satisfying snap.
  • If your chocolate seizes and turns grainy, you can sometimes save it by whisking in a teaspoon of coconut oil until it smooths out again.
  • Room temperature setting gives you a better texture than the fridge, the chocolate stays creamier instead of brittle.
03 -
  • Zest your citrus right before you mix it in, the oils fade fast and you want that brightness to punch through the sweetness.
  • Use a small cookie scoop instead of a spoon for uniform clusters that look bakery-perfect every time.
  • If you want them extra festive, add a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top before they set, it makes the citrus sing even louder.

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