Chocolate Almond Clusters
Holiday baking traditions are fun. They let you create signature treats that loved ones hope to receive each season. I’ve made these vegan chocolate covered almond clusters for the past few Christmases. They might be free of grains and gluten, but they’ve got nutty crunch to burn. And they look especially festive when placed in small decorative cellophane bags.
Chocolate Almond Clusters
1-1.5 lb raw almonds
8-10 oz semisweet chocolate (I like Enjoy Life semi-sweet chocolate Mega Chunks)
Preheat oven to 275. Line a large tray with wax paper and set aside. Spread almonds evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 90 minutes. Stir periodically to make sure that they roast evenly. Remove from oven. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, or microwave it for 2 minutes in a large glass bowl. Fold almonds into the chocolate and mix until fully incorporated. With two spoons, scoop out clusters (of 10-15 almonds each) and drop onto the tray. Let clusters cool until chocolate sets, about 1-2 hours. Store in wax-paper-lined layers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.