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.
Orange Chocolate Coconut Clusters
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1 cup almonds, toasted then coarsely chopped
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted
Instructions
- 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 paper 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.
Mercedes says
Sencillamente maravilloso….
Elana says
Thanks Mercedes!
Gayle Friz says
These were quick to make, and disappeared in the same manner! Teenage approved! I used pecans. Wonderful!
Elana says
Gayle, thanks for letting me know these are wonderful and teenage approved!
Jenna Carodiskey-Wiebe says
We bought Yum Earth Organic lollipops for trick or treaters. For those of us at home, it’s dark chocolate pumpkin seeds bark !
Jo says
How many ounces in chocolate?
Rosalyn says
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS, made these with walnuts and they are to die for, making my second batch….THANKS!!!!
rosalyn says
I just made these….waiting for them to cool….look absolutely delicious!! Cant go wrong
with chocolate and orange……thank you!
Judy says
I made these over the weekend. Wow, they are delicious and I will be making them again! Thank you for the recipe.
glutenfreealaska says
Instead of orange essence use Wild Orange essential oils. Absolutely delish! (except you only need a drop or two of the orange depending on your taste)
Stephaany Yocich says
The timing of your post is perfect. My new diet, the Oxfordhealth’s Loaded Gun diet allows just what you prescribed, coconut is my favorite and chocolate, well, let’s just say I’m an addict on a rehab.