Last Updated on October 16, 2023
No time for a huge cookie-baking production this year? Impress friends with these incredibly simple but unbelievably good 3-ingredient homemade chocolates, the perfect easy holiday treats!
YOU HAVE GOT TO TRY THESE EASY HOMEMADE CHOCOLATES!
I’m always on the lookout for super-quick ways to create great food, and these homemade chocolates with cranberries and walnuts have become my go-to for tasty holiday gifts because they are so unbelievably easy but seem impressive nonetheless.
In mason jars with nicely decorated labels, these homemade chocolates make perfect gourmet gifts, even if you’re not much of a cook.
They are seriously good, and I eat a fair number of them myself, truth be told. And since there are some great health benefits of chocolate, I don’t even feel bad about it. Better still, all three ingredients are regularly included in lists of top superfoods. How awesome is it to be doing something positive for your health while indulging your sweet tooth?
But watch out, you can easily wind up putting more of these away than is good for you. While as treats go, they’re pretty full of healthy stuff, there’s still a fair amount of sugar and you should try to pace yourself!
Homemade chocolates are absurdly easy and quick!
The holidays are so busy anyhow, the last thing you need is a complicated recipe, right?
All that’s involved with these homemade chocolates is melting some chocolate chips and mixing in the cranberries and walnuts. You spoon them onto a plate and let them harden in the fridge. And you’re done!
No measuring out a zillion spices, no baking, no finding that things got overcooked. I’ve failed with cookie recipes many times, but these chocolate clusters are perfect every time.
Awesome, huh?
But they take on an appealing shape, and the soft crunch of the walnuts with the tart-sweet of the dried cranberries makes them really addictive.
–> In need of some other quick & easy homemade gift ideas? Here are more than 25 easy homemade gifts for the not-so-crafty!
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CHOCOLATES
OK, get ready for easy. As recipes go, this one is about as quick and simple as they come. You just need a few simple ingredients, a big bowl, a spoon for mixing and a plate.
INGREDIENTS FOR EASY HOMEMADE CHOCOLATES
So let’s talk about what you need to make these healthy holiday treats. There are only 3, so using quality ingredients will make a difference.
Use the best semisweet chocolate you can afford, organic if possible. Organic cranberries and walnuts if you can swing them as well. Check out the links below for where to find them.
Do you have someone vegan on your holiday treat list? You can use vegan chocolate chips in place of traditional ones. I picked up some on sale at Vitacost last year (their sales make healthy food SO much more affordable!) and they were even better than the ones I usually make.
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES FOR EASY HOMEMADE CHOCOLATES
Here’s the best part if you’ve never made candy before: All you need is a microwave-safe bowl and a spoon for stirring. No complicated equipment or skill needed to make some of the best homemade chocolates you’ve ever tried!
For gifting, use some pretty glass jars or gift bags and add a tag. I like to list the ingredients in case anyone has nut allergies. You can try pumpkin seeds if you want to avoid nuts altogether.
Easy Homemade Chocolates
Insanely easy but unbelievably good, these delicious homemade chocolates take just minutes to make!
Ingredients
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate (you can use chips or chop a baking bar)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup coarsely chopped nuts
Instructions
1. You can use a microwave or the stovetop to melt chocolate. Melt chocolate in a small pan over low heat, stirring constantly. Microwave instructions: Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high 30 seconds. Stir well and microwave 30 seconds more. Stir until chocolate melts.
2. Stir in nuts and cranberries.
3. Drop immediately by teaspoonfuls onto plates or a cookie sheet lined with parchment or a baking mat.
4. Refrigerate until candies are set. Pry off carefully with a knife.
Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
I like walnuts best, but almonds or pecans work, too. If nut free, try pumpkin seeds.
Enjoy! (It can be tough, but try not to eat them all yourself — they’re not that healthy!)
If you need more ideas for homemade goodies you can give as gifts, check out this amazing collection of 70 homemade Christmas food gifts from Elaina at the Rising Spoon.
Looking for that perfect gift? Check out my suggestions for Healthy Gifts or Eco-Friendly Gifts!
Do you have favorite easy recipes for holiday treats? Please share!
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Susannah is a proud garden geek and energy nerd who loves healthy food and natural remedies. Her work has appeared in Mother Earth Living, Ensia, Northern Gardener, Sierra, and on numerous websites. Her first book, Everything Elderberry, released in September 2020 and has been a #1 new release in holistic medicine, naturopathy, herb gardening, and other categories. Find out more and grab your copy here.
Hi, I'm Susannah, a garden geek, energy nerd, and fan of healthy food and natural remedies. Need some simple, practical solutions for living healthier and greener? You've come to the right place! More about me and my green projects