Easy fruit & nut chocolate clusters are a festive treat for all ages

Homemade chocolates as holiday gifts feel warm and personal. If you're wondering about what treats you could make this holiday season, let us tell you about this easy candy recipe that is quick, fancy, hassle-free and you could engage your kids in making them too. As we observe and celebrate National Candy Day on November 4, let us remember candies have become culinary symbols of celebrations, culture and connections we build to live a good life. Candy Day is not just about having candies; it is about the delight of the process and the joy of creating sweets– food and memories both.
Most chocolate-making is a bit too technical and, honestly, can be too much of a project for little hands. But that’s where these simple yet delightful fruit & nut clusters come to the rescue!

All you need to do is stir your favorite dried fruits and nuts into a bowl of good-quality melted chocolate (dark chocolate works especially well, as it hardens quickly and holds its shape). Scoop out spoonfuls of the mixture onto wax paper, give it some time to set, and voilà—homemade chocolates with zero fuss. Here’s a fun tip: save a little of each fruit and nut to press on top of each cluster before it hardens. This way, you’ll get beautiful bursts of color and texture on the surface, giving each cluster a look as special as the flavors inside.

Aren’t these like little jewels? You would love using bright red cranberries and green pumpkin seeds, which add a festive touch, perfect for the holiday season!

Ingredients

• 170 gm Cadbury Bournville
• 4 tbsp dried cranberries
• 4 tbsp pumpkin seeds (hulled)
• 4 tbsp sunflower seeds (plain or roasted and salted, your choice)
• 4 tbsp sliced or slivered almonds
• wax paper

Method

• Melt the chocolate by placing chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, stir and repeat until fully melted. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler: fill a saucepan with about 1 cm of water and place a glass bowl on top. Add the chocolate to the bowl and heat over medium, stirring until smooth. Be sure to hold the bowl with an oven mitt to avoid burns.

• Once the chocolate is smooth and melted, add three tablespoons each of cranberries, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and almonds. Stir until all ingredients are well coated with chocolate.

• Lay out a sheet of wax paper on a baking tray. Use a spoon to scoop mounds of the chocolate-coated mixture onto the wax paper, spacing them about an inch or two apart. Flatten each mound slightly with the back of the spoon so they aren’t too tall.

• Sprinkle the remaining cranberries, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and almonds over the clusters, pressing them gently into the chocolate to secure them in place.

• Let the clusters cool and harden completely in a cool room for several hours or overnight. Once set, transfer them to an airtight container for storage, and enjoy these festive treats for weeks to come.

Notes and tips

• Choose a good-quality dark chocolate like Cadbury Bournville for a firm and satisfying bite. It’ll give you that extra-rich flavor too.
• Use wax paper so the clusters are easy to remove once hardened.
• Feel free to switch up the mix of fruits and nuts based on what you have or prefer.
• Once set, store these clusters in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh for a couple of weeks—a great little snack to have around.

This measurement makes about 12 clusters.

These fruit & nut clusters bring together flavors, textures, and a bit of festive cheer, making these easy candy recipes perfect for gifting or just enjoying at home. Whether you’re in the mood to make them with the kids or for a quiet afternoon treat, they’re sure to hit the sweet spot! Also, check out our holiday candy recipes. They are exceptional holiday treats that go beyond mere confections.