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You are here: Home / Chocolate / Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters with Sea Salt

Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters with Sea Salt

Last updated on September 18, 2020. Originally published December 14, 2017 4 Comments

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These Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters with Sea Salt are made with only 3 ingredients and are to die for! An easy & healthy treat for the holidays!

Overhead side view of 10 Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters with Sea Salt lined up in rows

There are only 10 {TEN!} days until Christmas Eve! Can you believe it?! We have been enjoying the season so much this year that I wish I could slow down time for the next week and a half. We’ve also been making {and eating} our fair share of yummy Christmas treats, like these Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters with Sea Salt!

When it comes to candy, I am about as plane-Jane as they come. You’ll usually find me reaching for pure dark chocolate, or some sort of nut covered in dark chocolate. One of my all-time favorites are Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cashews from a place in Chicago called Standard Market. It’s the #1 foodie destination I must visit when we fly home, and I always pick up a container of them!

Since we didn’t travel back to Chicago for the holidays, I’ve been recreating many of my favorite candies, like these chocolate peanut clusters , and these homemade peanut butter cups)!  And these Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters with Sea Salt did not disappoint! They are made with only three ingredients and are the perfect combination of sweet and salty. They’re the perfect holiday treat for anyone on your guest list because they’re vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and can also be paleo & refined sugar free too! overhead side view of twelve Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters with Sea Salt

How to make Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters with Sea Salt

This recipe only has three ingredients, so it’s fairly simple, but here are a few tips to get them just right!

  1. Temper the chocolate. I discovered a method of tempering chocolate in the microwave that has changed my candy-making life. Simply warm the chocolate for 60 seconds, then 60 more until almost all the of it is melted. Then stir until it’s completely smooth and let it cool back down to 90 degrees F before using it in the recipe! This method has resulted in the most beautifully shiny chocolate with the best texture! If you don’t really care about shine, you can simply melt the chocolate and proceed with the recipe, however I think it’s totally worth it.
  2. Size. Be mindful of the size of your Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cashew Clusters! At first I used a 1 TBS measure to make the clusters but they were much too large for my liking! So I switched to 1/2 TBS and they were perfect! Choose a size that you love!
  3. Topping. Be sure to sprinkle the sea salt on as soon as you form the cluster on the waxed paper! If you wait too long you run the risk of the clusters hardening and the sea salt not sticking!

Up close overhead view of one Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters with Sea Salt on top of a pile of other clusters

Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters with Sea Salt: Substitutions 

There are only three ingredients here, but there actually are a couple substitutions that can be made!

  • Dark Chocolate. If you’re used to sweeter treats I’d recommend using a chocolate that is in the 60-70% dark range.
  • To make the recipe paleo: Use unsweetened chocolate and add 1-2 TBS of honey or maple syrup (to taste) when it’s melted in the microwave. This will ensure your coating is refined-sugar free!
  • Cashews. Any nut can be used in this recipe. The two I recommend most highly are cashews and almonds! I prefer salted nuts to add to the sweet/salty goodness of these beauties!
  • Sea salt. I really don’t think this ingredient is optional. I use this flaky sea salt and LOVE it. You can also add crushed cashews or festive sprinkles if you desire!

Overhead view of Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters with Sea Salt in a small loaf pan

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Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters with Sea Salt

Laura
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cashew Clusters are made with only 3 ingredients and are irresistibly delicious! The perfect gift to give to friends and neighbors! 
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
Prep Time 20 mins
Setting time 1 hr
Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 clusters
Calories 79.4 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup (8 oz) dark chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup roasted, salted cashews
  • flaked sea salt (for sprinkling)

Instructions
 

  • Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Set aside.
  • Microwave chocolate for 1 minute.
  • Stir and microwave for 60 more seconds until most of the chocolate is melted (but not all of it).
  • Stir until all the chocolate is melted.
  • Let the melted chocolate cool to 90 degrees F, stirring occasionally to speed up the process.
  • Once chocolate reaches 90 degrees F, stir in the cashews
  • Drop mixture by in ½ TBS portions (about 3-4 cashews per scoop) on to the prepared baking sheet
  • Sprinkle with sea salt and let stand at room temperature until hardened.

Nutrition

Serving: 1clusterCalories: 79.4kcalCarbohydrates: 5.8gProtein: 1gFat: 6.6gSaturated Fat: 2.8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.6gSodium: 43.8mgPotassium: 32.3mgFiber: 1.1gSugar: 2.6gIron: 1mg
Keyword chocolate cashew clusters, chocolate covered cashews, christmas candy
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

There is no way you will be able to eat just one of these Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cashew Clusters {I know from experience}! 😉

Do you have a favorite homemade candy that you make every Christmas? 

 

You might also like:

Best Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe
Dairy-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Moments 08.2020

Filed Under: Chocolate, Christmas, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Healthier Desserts, Homemade Holidays, Paleo, Recipes, Vegan Tagged With: candy, chocolate, dessert

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janet

    October 8, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    5 stars
    Awesome and easy!!!! Added pecans peanuts and walnuts…. a traditional holiday must now… the sea salt on top is awesome !!!! Thanks👍🏼❣️

    Reply
  2. Missy

    December 14, 2017 at 11:54 am

    I’m all about Christmas candy over cookies this year! These sound amazing, especially since cashews are my all time fave. I’ve got a dark chocolate bark with gingerbread and toffee you should check out too (www.behindtheplates.com). Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  3. Jennifer Bliss

    December 14, 2017 at 10:03 am

    I can’t express how YUM these are! WOW! They look, sound, and I KNOW they will be GREAT!

    Reply
  4. Emily Swanson

    December 14, 2017 at 8:07 am

    We love to make buckeyes and toffee and sometimes peanut brittle for Christmas, but my new favorite is your cookie dough cups; I made them yesterday and they’re so delicious. I have to tell you that I LOVE chocolate too, and I love that you’re doing so many chocolate Christmas candy recipes.

    Reply

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About Laura

 

Hello I’m Laura! I am a former chemistry teacher turned wife and mom of five beautiful babies with one on the way in 2021! I’m a green smoothie addict, lover of the outdoors, and a peanut butter & nap enthusiast! Click here to read more >>

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