Chocolate-Macadamia Nut Clusters

Ali Segersten Mar 23, 2010 92 comments

In preparing for Easter, I decided to make my own sugar-free candy (healthy treats) this year. The kids usually get a variety of raw nuts and dried fruits hiding inside those little plastic Easter eggs. That Easter bunny is just too darn healthy! Sometimes he leaves jelly beans and a lollipop too. Since chocolate can strongly affect some children, I'd recommend wrapping only one of these chocolate clusters up in a small square of parchment paper, tied up with a pretty ribbon, for your child. I have no doubt that the adults in the house will munch the rest.

We have just returned from Hawaii - our Vitamin D prescription for the winter (if you are following us on Facebook, you'd already know all about our trip!)! Our family enjoyed the sun and all of the fresh produce the islands have to offer. One of our favorite treats is, of course, the macadamia nut. We bought the roasted, salted variety while there but they weren't nearly as tasty as the crisp, raw unsalted type we found. Hence, macadamia nuts inspired many recipes. Don't worry if you aren't a fan of nuts, I have a number of fresh recipes AND an uncooking video to share soon!

Image
family photo- Hawaii 2009

We packed food with us like grains, beans, nuts, and seeds but....What is the ONE spice we packed with us? Please leave a comment below. Those that have the correct guess with be entered to win a FREE copy of our cookbook, The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook!

The recipe I am about to share is a new one, in fact, I created it today! I have had the idea whirling around in my mind for a while. You know how ideas are. Sometimes they take their time to come 'round.

Folks, this is a recipe to make YOUR OWN CHOCOLATE! Not melt chocolate. It is very easy, let's get to it! :)

ALI-2023-PHOTO-VERTICAL-2

About the Author

Alissa Segersten, MS, CN

Alissa Segersten, MS, CN, is the founder of Nourishing Meals®, an online meal-planning membership with over 1,800 nourishing recipes and tools to support dietary change and better health. As a functional nutritionist, professional recipe developer, and author of The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook, Nourishing Meals, and co-author of The Elimination Diet, she helps people overcome health challenges through food. A mother of five, Alissa understands the importance of creating nutrient-dense meals for the whole family. Rooted in science and deep nourishment, her work makes healthy eating accessible, empowering thousands to transform their well-being through food.

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Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 10:27

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Ginger. (SB)

Submitted by talkinglikerain (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 10:12

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Welcome back Ali! I would have to say cinnamon as well. Thanks for the inspiration to make chocolate from scratch - what fun!

Submitted by The Gals on th… (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 10:08

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Herbamare!

I can't go any where without it since your blog turned me onto it!

Great picture - I hope you guys enjoyed Hawaii!

Megs

Submitted by Anonymous (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 09:31

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Cumin

-Helen

Submitted by Janice (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 09:28

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cinnamon comes to mind first...but maybe tumeric?

Submitted by Megan R. (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 09:25

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My guess is Thyme or Oregano?
Megan Robinson

Submitted by Christina (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 09:18

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Cinnamon is what came to mind first. We take it along on trips too.

Submitted by Anonymous (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 09:01

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You took Herbamare?

Bellshroomer

Submitted by Anonymous (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 08:53

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Cinnamon :)
Kara Haney

Submitted by Alyssa (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 08:50

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My guess would be herbamare.....I haven't traveled without it since I started making recipes from your site.

Submitted by Hallie (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 08:45

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No need to enter me into the drawing (I'm lucky enough to have the cookbook already!), but I just wanted to say that those clusters looks delicious! Growing up my mom used to make something similar but with regular chocolate, cereal, and dried fruit. We called them "bear claws." Now that we're all gluten-free and sugar-free, I'll have to give this recipe a whirl--a new take on bear claws for us!

Submitted by Gail (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 08:33

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I am not a light packer. I would have found some way to squeeze in a few more spices! My guess is Herbamare.
I am going to look where to find cocoa butter to make the recipe. I have not been able to find any before.

Submitted by Unknown (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 08:09

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Tumeric

Submitted by Hilma Olson (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 08:09

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Welcome home! what a great family picture. I would choose Cinnamon, but then, I am planning for 5 months of "gone". Top on my list to take are cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla extract and almond extract.

Submitted by Anonymous (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 08:01

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I would say herbamere or real salt, dont know if you use real salt but i take it everywhere

andrea smith

Submitted by Tiffany K. (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:58

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Hmmm...I'm guessing either Curry Powder, Herbamare, or Sea Salt :-) Looks like you all had fun in Hawaii, makes me want to go there!

Submitted by Anonymous (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:54

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Herbamare.
Stephanie Car

Submitted by Marissa (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:54

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Your recipes are beautiful and look delicious! I am a Bastyr student and we recommend your book to people all of the time! I just need a copy for myself now! Hopefully I'll get lucky with cinnamon as my guess!

Submitted by Anonymous (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:54

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Salt? Love you pic! :)

Jody

Submitted by Kelly (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:47

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Cinnamon was the first one to come to my mind because I put it on everything =)

You guys are beautiful! XOXO

Submitted by Rachel (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:43

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Ginger? (RD)

Submitted by Jamie (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:41

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Cinnamon for sure!

Submitted by Anonymous (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:39

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I would guess Herbamare. I found out about it on your website and have been using it like crazy, thanks for the recommendation!! (Julie Rauhut)

Submitted by Anonymous (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:37

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Herbamare?

Submitted by Stephanie (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:37

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Cinnamon as well

Submitted by Jennifer L. (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:33

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I'd guess cumin, only because it's one of those spices that seems to turn up in a lot of your recipes consistently.

I was really happy to find the coco nests at Affairs of Living, and these chocolate-macadamia nut clusters look divine too. It's really good to build up a repertoire of healthy ideas for those Easter baskets!

My gut feeling is to not give a 2.5 year old chocolate of any kind yet, but I can't seem to find a good guide on when younger kids can handle small amounts of chocolate.

I love the picture of your family!

Submitted by sandy jones (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:25

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cinnamon....wouldn't leave without it...

Submitted by EmbraceEveryday (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:15

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If sea salt is considered a spice, then that would be my first guess. If not, I would definitely say cinnamon.

Submitted by BodyBalance (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 07:05

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I'd guess cinnamon as well. (Lisa S.)

Submitted by Anonymous (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 06:47

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I will also guess cinnamon. That's the one spice I take with me on my travels. I have already purchased your cookbook and am enjoying making the recipes. I hope to win one to share with my boyfriend! :) LAM

Submitted by HelenCate (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 06:27

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black pepper?

Submitted by evaline (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 06:13

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cinnamon sounded good, but with all the fresh produce I'm going to be different and say: chile powder (tastes yummy sprinkled on fruit).

Submitted by Amber Weber (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 06:04

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Sea salt- would that be considered a spice? :)

Submitted by Katie (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 05:56

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I can only imagine the mess it would make if it spilled in the suitcase, but I'll go out on a limb and say turmeric.

Submitted by Debra (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 05:56

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Ginger :o)

Submitted by mamabruno (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 05:38

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Is Garlic considered a spice? If so that is my guess due to its medicinal quality. If not, can I guess again b/c I would love a copy of your book.

Submitted by The Gluten-Fre… (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 05:37

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love your new recipe...my mind has been swirling around trying to figure out what to put in those eggs. Thanks for this idea.

My guess is ginger.

Submitted by Stephanie (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 04:06

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I was going to say cinnamon too lol

Submitted by Iris (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 04:04

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Aww...that picture is so cute! You must have had such a wonderful vacation!

Submitted by Alissa Evelyn (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 02:53

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i would have to guess cinnamon too?

Submitted by Anonymous (visitor) on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 01:11

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cumin? (Raelene C)

Submitted by Unknown (visitor) on Mon, 03/22/2010 - 23:14

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cinnamon?

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