When you’re in an energy slump, feel like you need a boost during the day, before a hike, off to work or after school, theseĀ Dark Chocolate Fruit Bites are the perfect way to keep you going.
Calling all chocoholics, do I have a quick and easy offering for you today.Ā The toppings are whatever you choose and did you know that dark chocolate isĀ one of the best sources of antioxidants?
Dark chocolate can improve health and lower the risk of heart disease, too. Sound good?
In the ingredients below I listed what I used, but feel free to use whatever dried fruits and combination of nuts you prefer. Dried pineapple, cranberries, blueberries, raisins, etc. I love to add some candied ginger, give it a try! That’s the beauty of these, just don’t add any wet fruit as this will not set as well and last as long than dried.
As for the amounts, please use you own discretion. I listed a rough estimate and what was leftover after topping all the chocolate tray cubes was quickly devoured while waiting for these to set.
I don’t know about you, but a lot of times my intentions when buying dried fruit sometimes doesn’t match my intake and I find bags of them, so I find this a great way to sneak in some healthy dark chocolate and use up that dried fruit. The various nuts are always good for the diet, too.
Just one of these is all you need to satisfy that sweet tooth craving or snack, but don’t let me stop you. Enjoy!
Dark Chocolate Fruit Bites
Ingredients
- 12 ounces good-quality dark chocolate melted
- 1/4 cup each walnuts and pecans chopped
- 1/2 cup total dried cranberries goji berries, cherries, apricots, diced
- 3 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- 2 tbsp Candied ginger diced
Instructions
- Toast nuts in 350Ā°F oven for 5 minutes. Set aside. Chop the dried fruit and candied ginger into small chunks, set aside.
- Melt the chocolate to a microwave-safe measuring cup. Microwave at half-power for 1 minute, then stir. Microwave again at 15 second intervals, stir until melted and no lumps.
- Spray small silicon ice cube trays with non stick baking spray.
- Divide melted chocolate in the ice cube trays. Top with dried fruit and nuts. Refrigerate 2 hours to set chocolate.
- Carefully pop out of trays and store in air tight container. Keep at room temp or in refrigerator for longer.
This is brilliant, Kevin. Incredibly versatile and actually really pretty. And how easy with the silicone ice cube trays!
Thanks John they pop right out of the tray and into my mouth – go figure!
These are so beautiful, Kevin!! Delicious and also the perfect edible gift…
Thanks Marissa! You are too kind, as gifting these never crossed my mind! I might need to take a look at that! š
Hey Kevin! Marissa just did a candy post and now you, so I guess I’ll be making candy this weekend!! Fruit, nuts and chocolate and good for you…win, win!! I have some silicone mini muffin cups that I think will work perfectly. Try to stay cool over the weekend!
Thanks Dorothy! Pretty much everything one has already in their pantry, right? I have those muffin cups too, aren’t they great. Such a smart idea to make them from silicon. Hello to Gary and you guys have a fun weekend. Just made some no churn ice cream and picked a watermelon for the weekend heat! š
Yum yum ,,, I don’t have leftover dried fruits as before, but have some tasty ones, defintly making some, need some silicon trays! Pinned!
Hi Farida! I got the silicon ice cube trays via Amazon, here’s a link : http://amzn.to/28SvHVt
Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend and have figured out the new theme to use. Go for it!
Kevin, your timing of this post is perfect. I have every ingredient in my house right now and health conscious house guests arriving for the weekend. Funny about the dried fruit comment. I have tons of candied ginger left over from a recipe and assorted dried fruits in the cupboard as well. Love these beauties! And since my Dave is a connoisseur of the best and darkest chocolate (100% is his favorite), he’ll approve, too. This is about the third recipe I’ll be making of yours for the weekend, BTW. š The weekend guests are coming for a family wedding… Read more »
Reading this makes me smile, so happy I rate that high to get three recipes on your dining table this weekend.! š
Candied ginger, macadamia nuts and dark chocolate are a fantastic combination by the way. Just sayin’. Have a wonderful time at the pre-party and wedding Sally!
As if I need an excuse to eat chocolate, Kevin! Antioxidants you say? Well, if I gotta eat the chocolate, I guess I have to š I’ll suffer it out, lol š I know what you mean about your intentions of buying dried fruit don’t match your intake. I see bags of dried fruit in the grocery and think I’m easily gonna use it up, but never do, This is a great way to use up odds and ends of stuff in my pantry. Great recipe! Have a great weekend!!
It’s so true. While Dave is more a fruit cobbler, lemon bar kinda guy, I am definitely the one who looks straight at a restaurant’s dessert menu when I get there. Where’s the chocolate and how did they use it. š
Make some up this weekend and enjoy before a hike or gardening. Cheers!
Kevin, I so love the idea of these little Dark Chocolate Bites – though, I have no clue how I’d stop at one as I am a die hard chocoholic and all of it’s benefits is the only way I can justify my consumption of it š
Currently, I have 4 bags of a variety of dried fruits hanging out in my pantry and this is the perfect way to put them to good use! Thanks so much for the inspiration and hope y’all have a wonderful, cooler, weekend!
I know, who was I kidding with one, right?! Two actually did the trick an dI found dark chocolate THE best to counter the fruit, though any chocolate be it semi sweet to milk is a winner here. Use up those bags of dried fruit! Hope you and your daughter continue your Summer adventures! š