Dark Chocolate Walnut Date Clusters (Printable Version)
Chewy dates and crunchy walnuts drizzled in dark chocolate, chilled into bite-sized clusters for an easy, elegant snack.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fruits & Nuts
01 - 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
02 - 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
→ Chocolate
03 - 7 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher), chopped
→ Optional Topping
04 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt flakes
# How To Make:
01 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine the chopped dates and walnuts, tossing well until the pieces begin to stick together and form a cohesive mixture.
03 - Place the chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water (double boiler method), stirring until completely smooth and glossy. Alternatively, melt in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each interval.
04 - Using a spoon, drop heaping tablespoons of the date-walnut mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, shaping each portion into a small, compact mound.
05 - Drizzle or spoon the melted chocolate over each cluster, ensuring all sides are generously and evenly coated.
06 - Sprinkle sea salt flakes over the clusters if desired, distributing evenly across each piece.
07 - Refrigerate the clusters for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is fully set and firm to the touch.
08 - Transfer the finished clusters to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These clusters taste like something from a fancy chocolate shop but require zero baking skill and almost no cleanup.
- The contrast between chewy dates, crunchy walnuts, and snappy dark chocolate is the kind of texture combo that makes you close your eyes when you eat it.
- They are naturally sweet, gluten free, and vegetarian so you can share them with almost anyone without a second thought.
02 -
- If the chocolate seizes and becomes grainy during melting, a tiny splash of warm water stirred in vigorously can sometimes save it, but prevention is better so keep all moisture away from the bowl.
- Press the date and walnut mixture firmly when shaping because loose clusters will crumble apart once the chocolate sets and you try to peel them off the paper.
- Refrigerated clusters stored in an airtight container stay delicious for up to two weeks though in my house they rarely survive two days.
03 -
- Chilling the shaped date and walnut mounds for ten minutes before adding chocolate helps them hold their shape during coating.
- Using chocolate that is at least seventy percent cocoa prevents the clusters from becoming cloyingly sweet since the dates already bring so much natural sugar.