Orange Chocolate Coconut Clusters
New Year, new school. Wow, this week has been busy. The boys have settled miraculously into their new habitat and I can feel the relief flowing through my body.
My favorite comment this week was from Melissa, a reader who said, "It’s hard, but before you know it, they will adjust and be just fine. Kids are so resilient! It’s probably harder on mom. :-)" Well, yes, Melissa, I couldn't have said it better myself and the smiley face was much appreciated. Seriously, you cheered me up when I needed it! As did so many of the other comments I received.
To celebrate making it through this week, I found it only appropriate to create a candy recipe, this being of course my favorite category of recipe and possibly my favorite food group. Yes, for some of us, candy is a food group.
2 cups dark chocolate 73%
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 cup almonds, toasted then coarsely chopped
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted
- In a medium saucepan, melt the chocolate over very low heat
- Stir in the orange extract
- Allow the nuts and coconut to cool, 10-15 minutes, then stir them into the melted chocolate
- Drop by heaping tablespoonful onto a parchment lined baking sheet
- Allow to cool
- If need be (as in it's too hot in your kitchen for these to set) transfer clusters to a plate and cool in freezer
- Serve
I think these clusters would be great with any type of nut. You could also try substituting some orange zest (in an amount of your choosing) in place of the orange extract. I think that would be delicious.
Since it is October I have started to think about Halloween treats. I am looking for something fun (no fruit rolls), organic and not too sweet. Do any of you have good store bought well wrapped (yes for trick or treating safety) ideas for Halloween candy? If you do, please drop me a line in the comment section below. I do have something in mind and will do a post on it, though want to collect others ideas before I get going.
Posted on October 3, 2008 in desserts by Elana
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These would be perfect to give away as little gifts around the holidays! Maybe I'll make some for my mother-in-law's visit next month too. She loves orange and chocolate together, and she (like me) has trouble with grains. Thanks for the great idea!
Mmm, those clusters look wonderful!
Hi - long time reader, first time comment. I love your blog :) You've inspired me to take up GF baking again after many, many expensive failures. So thanks for that.
As for Halloween I think Amy's is offering new fruit gummies in Halloween shapes in individual baggies for kids so that might work. Hope you find something yummy!
Thanks for all your wonderful recipes. I am not celiac, but on a friend's recommendation, started to do as little wheat as possible and do lots more organic. The asthmas I mysteriously developed 2 yrs. ago just about went away. I suspect something to do with GMO and processing.
Suggestion for Halloween candy, although not cheap, is the bars made my KIND. Cheaper through Amazon. Also saw some organic lollipops, but haven't tried them. Another option is small toys, such as offered by Oriental Trading Co. and they are offering many sales now.
Dear Elana, I am so happy for you that it went so well with the boys this week. These clusters look absolutely delicious, I will definitely try to make them this week. Thank you again for all the wonderful recipes that you share with us !
Yes, another Elana. I affectionately call you my doppelganger in CO (same name, brunette, Jewish, gluten-free, mid-thirties, etc.)! I am a culinary specialist in Morris County, NJ. As a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute for Food and Health, I too work with people who have food allergies/restrictions or those just looking for a whole foods/healthier way to eat- everything from food tours to one-one-one instruction and restaurant consulting to corporate seminars.
Relatively new to your site, I love your easy presentation format, recipes and stories. Here's a great suggestion for HALLOWEEN candy- YUMMY EARTH organic lollipops and drops. They are flavorful, fun, COMPLETELY allergy-free and easily found (Whole Foods, Toy's R us, Babies R' us, Linens N Things, Vitamin Shoppe, Costco.com, HSN, etc.) The company owners are TERRIFIC people who truly care about/monitor all that goes into their products and welcome feedback from their customers; I LOVE to support them!
Also, as a fellow fan of Pappadini pasta, I thought you (and your readers) might be interested in helping to SAVE their products. Help keep it available to us all by signing this petition. The link is: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-papadini-lentil-pasta.html
Thanks for all your great work!
Hey, these sound great! i did find some great lollipops for my girls the other day at the health food store. a good option for halloween. they're "college farm organic naturepops" and they're as good as those crappy ones they give away at restaurants!
Since these clusters look so mouthwatering, I immediately made them here too. (I totally agree that candy is a food group Elana. Chocolate is simply an essential nutrient) I made some adjustments since I neither had orange essence or almonds. Mine contained hazelnuts and lemon zest. Very fresh and exciting! Next time, I will also experiment a little with cranberries, or freshly grated ginger (one of my favorite spices because it is so warming). Thanks Elana for your inspiration! have a lovely sunday!
xox Christianne
PS I tried photographing the clusters, but allhough they taste great, they don't look as good as yours... I need more practice, what a pity! :-)
Wow, those look so good! Orange is tied with raspberry as my favorite flavor pairing with chocolate.
I'm an avid reader of your website (love it) from Australia and have made many of your recipes and have had much success. I am looking for a christmas cake and pudding recipe, using perhaps almond flour and/or coconut flour. Do you have any you would share?
Thanks in anticipation!
My roommate and I were inspired to go on a late night grocery store trip to get the coconut to make these. They're currently still cooling, but licking the bowl was certainly tasty, so I have great hopes for the clusters as well!
Wow, these look so amazing. I am salivating. I happen to love chocolate and coconut, especially together. Orange too :) These would be a nice holiday treat indeed. Thanks for sharing!
Alison - I like the idea of using these for holiday treats!
Lauren - Thanks.
Kelly - Thanks for leaving a comment! And also for the Amy's gummy idea --great :-)
Sandra - That is so great that your asthma has cleared. Also, I like the idea of the KIND bars; thanks.
Anina - Great to hear from you; I hope you are doing well. Miss you.
Elana - Love the doppelganger thing! Thanks for the lollipop suggestion
Jen - Thanks for suggesting the College Farm brand lollis!
Christianne - That sounds AMAZING --hazelnuts and lemon zest, yum.
Andrea - Thanks for your comment, I think orange and raspberry are tied for me too when it comes to pairing with chocolate.
Lisa - Thanks for writing all the way from Australia. I must confess, I have no idea what Christmas cake is. If you give me some hints, I will try to come up with something for you.
Kristin - What a great comment; makes me hungry!
Heather - You are very welcome; thanks for your comment.
I'm new to your site and enjoy it very much. I would like to try to make the orange chocolate coconut clusters but can't have chocolate. Would carob work?
Dear Paulette,
Thanks for stopping by. Please see my faq's regarding your question.
Thanks,
Elana
Sorry for my english, I’m italian. I’m coeliac and always visit your blog.This recipe is wondwrful.
Kiss Anna
Dear Anna,
Your English is great! Thanks for leaving me a comment; I really appreciate it!
xo Elana
I made the clusters, they were so delicious, I also made them with unsweetened carob chips, and they were perfect for my sweet tooth. Thank you!