Dark chocolate snack bites with cranberries: everyone goes crazy over them. They are so easy to make with no baking involved. Even a sweet treat can be healthy, and frankly necessary if you are a chocolate lover. Eating healthy is about abundance, not deprivation. They are like chocolate bark in a mini muffin cup.

Chocolate Cranberry Bites |AFoodCentricLife.com

No-Bake Chocolate Snack Bites with Cranberries

Here is a favorite recipe I created for The Daniel Plan Cookbook (published by Zondervan). Melt chocolate drizzled into mini 2" paper baking cups, layer with the other goodies, and cool until they harden. You will have 8 bite-sized little treats for 4 people, and the recipe doubles or triples easily. It's sort of like chocolate bark but in a mini cupcake paper. A mini cupcake pan gives the paper cups support. Don't like walnuts? Use almonds or macadamia nuts.

Beautiful Treats and Gifts

A few weeks ago I made a batch of these chocolate cranberry bites for the January 2016 Daniel Plan rally to show the audience. I packaged a couple up in little cellophane bags and tied them with a ribbon as a Valentines Day treat suggestion. They disappeared quickly on stage as my fellow speakers got a hold of them. Being chocolate lovers, I think Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen now love me.

The Happy Chemistry of Chocolate

Chocolate not only smells great, tastes great and melts in your mouth, but the chemistry of chocolate is fascinating. The reason we love it and it makes us happy is a chemical called PEA. PEA is a chemical produced naturally in our brain. It is also present in relatively high concentrations in chocolate.

In the brain, PEA acts as a stimulant, increasing the actions of the neurotransmitter dopamine and leading to an elevated mood and feelings of pleasure. So now you know why chocolate makes us happy. For more info on the chemistry of chocolate, read this article.

How to Melt Chocolate: Microwave & Stovetop

For these chocolate cranberry bites, choose a good quality dark, bittersweet chocolate of 70% - 72%. Valhrona is a good brand, available at stores like Trader Joes. Other good ones are I love Theo organic, Hu and Green and Black. Here are two ways to melt chocolate.

Microwave

Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave using 50% power for 1 minute. Remove and stir. Continue in 30 second increments until chocolate is mostly melted. It’s ready when there are still a few lumps. They will smooth out as you stir. Do not overheat or the chocolate could burn.

Double Boiler on Stove Top

Place a small pan with a few inches of water over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Turn heat to low and place a small bowl with the chocolate over the hot water. The bowl should sit on top and barely into the pan, but not touch the hot water. Stir occasionally, until chocolate melts smooth.

How to Make Chocolate Snack Bites

Buy mini muffin papers and set them up in either a mini muffin pan or on a small flat tray. The mini muffin tins offer more support. Ready the cranberries, walnuts and coconut, then carefully melt your chocolate. You can use other dried fruit or nuts. If you choose dried fruit that is in larger pieces you will need to chop them.

Make Chocolate Snack Bites as Gifts and Party Favors!

These are so easy to make you can make big batches and package them for hostess gifts, holiday gifts and party favors. I use small cello bags with twist ties and ribbon.

No-bake Chocolate Snack Bites with Cranberries

Made with 70% bittersweet chocolate, these bite-sized chews have walnuts and coconut along with dried cranberries. Portion controlled in mini 2” paper baking cups, each bite has about ½ ounce of chocolate. No cooking required. Use good quality 70% - 85% chocolate for the best flavor. If you don't like walnuts, use another nut. These make terrific hostess and holiday gifts!

Print Recipe Rate Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bites, Chocolate, Cranberry

Servings: 1 per person

Calories: 130kcal

Equipment

mini muffin pan or flat tray
8 mini paper liners for muffin pan

Ingredients

4 ounces good quality 70% bittersweet chocolate
¼ cup chopped walnuts
¼ cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut unsweetened coconut

Instructions

Chop the chocolate into small pieces. Use a serrated knife, bread knife or a large heavy chefs knife. Melt chocolate in either the microwave or a double boiler on the stove.

How to Melt Chocolate in the Microwave

To melt chocolate in the microwave, place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave using 50% power for 1 minute. Remove and stir. Continue in 30 second increments until chocolate is mostly melted. It’s ready when there are still a few lumps. They will smooth out as you stir. Do not overheat or chocolate could burn.

How to Melt Chocolate on the Stovetop

To melt chocolate in a double boiler, place a small pan with a few inches of water over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Turn heat to low and place a small bowl with the chocolate over the hot water. The bowl should sit on top and barely into the pan, but not touch the hot water. Stir occasionally, until chocolate melts smooth.

Assemble the Chocolate Snack Bites

Place 8 paper cups on a flat plate, rimmed baking sheet or into a mini cupcake pan for support. Drizzle in 1 teaspoon of melted chocolate, then top with a sprinkle of nuts, coconut and a few dried cranberries. Drizzle with another teaspoon melted chocolate, and sprinkle with a bit more nuts and coconut. Refrigerate about 45 minutes to set up or until they are firm.

Notes

Note – Mini paper baking cups can be found at cooking stores, Target, and in the baking section of craft stores. If using as gifts, find cello bags, twist ties and ribbon online and at craft stores.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!