• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • All Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact

Whole Food Bellies logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » All Recipes

    Author: Donna | Published: Feb 15, 2015 | Modified: Feb 19, 2021

    Healthier Salted Date Caramel Macadamia Nut Clusters

    798 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Salted Caramel Macadamia Nut Clusters

    A healthy twist on a popular chocolate treat, these Healthier Salted Caramel Macadamia Nut Clusters combine a sticky date caramel with macadamias and homemade chocolate. Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free, this tasty treat makes a perfect afternoon sugar-hit to keep you going.

    Salted Caramel Macadamia Nut Clusters

    Healthier Salted Date Caramel Macadamia Nut Clusters

    The perfect moreish treat to keep you going when the afternoon slump hits, these homemade macadamia nut clusters are sure to become a fast favorite in your house.

    Simple to bring together, you are going to need:

    • Medjool dates pitted
    • coconut oil
    • sea salt
    • macadamia halves
    • 72% cacao chocolate
    • Himalayan pink salt

    That's it.

    Let's get making some (secretly healthier) salted caramel nut clusters.

    Salted Caramel Macadamia Nut Clusters

    A Note On Ingredients

    With only 5 ingredients, these homemade salted caramel macadamia nut clusters are so much healthier than the traditional store-bought versions, and they still taste amazing. 

    Seriously, date caramel is awesome.

    It's my new favorite thing.

    Dates

    Mejdool dates are best for this recipe.

    These are the bigger, stickier dates (like these ones) and they will give your caramel that great texture you want.

    You will find them in little containers or big boxes in the fruit and veggie section of most supermarkets.

    If you can’t find them you can always sub in some neglet or noor dates, although they will need to be soaked in warm water for 5 mins and then drained before using as called for in the recipe.

    Macadamia Nuts

    You should look for roasted, unsalted macadamia nuts.

    Do not buy the salted variety as they will just make the nut clusters too salty considering there is not much in the way of sweetener added.

    If macadamia nuts are too expensive where you live, you can always replace these with the nut of your choice, try:

    • roasted unsalted almonds
    • roasted unsalted cashews
    • walnuts
    • unsalted peanuts.
    Salted Caramel Macadamia Nut Clusters

    Cacao

    The 72% cacao that I used was perfect for me.

    However, if you are not a fan of dark chocolate, this may prove to be a bit too intense for your.

    You can always replace the cacao with milk chocolate if that is your preference.

    You are going to need to melt the chocolate for this recipe.

    This can be done either with the use of a double boiler, or with a microwave. For detailed instructions on how to do this check out this post from If You Give A Blonde A Kitchen.

    Himalayan Pink Salt

    These are topped with a sprinkle of Himalayan pink salt for two reasons:

    1. The little dash of pink on top looks really pretty
    2. The salt balances out the sweetness of the date caramel

    You do not need to add the Himalayan pink salt if you do not have it.

    Normal sea salt, or no salt at all, will work just as well and your macadamia nut clusters will still taste just as delicious.

    Salted Caramel Macadamia Nut Clusters

    If you have a sweet tooth, you have to check out these other little sweet treats I have on the blog:

    Chocolate and Raspberry Avocado Truffles
    Homemade chocolate. Refined sugar free, and loaded with superfoods, this chocolate is the perfect 5 ingredient treat.
    Raw Coconut Matcha Fudge

    Happy eating!

    xx

    Salted Caramel Macadamia Nut Clusters

    Whole Food Bellies
    A healthy twist on a popular chocolate treat, these Healthier Salted Caramel Macadamia Nut Clusters combine a sticky date caramel with macadamias and homemade chocolate. Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and refined sugar-free, this tasty treat makes a perfect afternoon sugar-hit to keep you going.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 hr 15 mins
    Cook Time 3 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 18 mins
    Course Chocolate
    Cuisine Dessert
    Servings 25 clusters
    Calories 88 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups packed of Medjool dates pitted
    • 2 tablespoon melted coconut oil divided
    • ¾ teaspoon sea salt
    • ⅓ cup macadamia halves
    • 1 cup 72% cacao chocolate or dairy free chocolate of choice
    • Himalayan pink salt for serving

    Instructions
     

    For The Date Caramel

    • Add the pitted dates to the food processor (if they aren't super sticky when you pit them you should soak for about 15 minutes in hot water before using)
    • Add one tablespoon of the melted coconut to the food processor and combine until a rough paste or ball forms, scraping down the sides as needed. If the mixture isn't quite coming together, add some water 1 teaspoon at a time
    • Add the sea salt and pulse to combine
    • Transfer the date caramel to a medium sized bowl.
    • Add the macadamias to the date caramel and stir to combine.
    • Use a teaspoon to scoop out small balls of the mixture and place on a parchment lined tray suitable for the freezer. Freeze for about 30 mins

    To Assemble

    • While the date caramel clusters are in the freezer, melt the chocolate in a double broiler (or microwave see notes) with the other 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
    • Remove the clusters from the freezer and quickly dip each one into the melted chocolate, shaking off the excess before placing them back onto the parchment-lined tray. (I used a pair of chopsticks for this step but you could do it with a fork and spoon)
    • Add a sprinkle of the pink salt and place the chocolates back into the freezer for about 20 minutes.
    • Keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer - just remove about 20 minutes before eating so they have time to get nice and gooey on the inside

    Notes

    Make sure you don't add too much water when making the date caramel or it won't freeze properly and will be unworkable.
    For instructions on how to melt chocolate check out this comprehensive article.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 88kcalCarbohydrates: 13.1gProtein: 1gFat: 5.5gSaturated Fat: 3.1gSodium: 20mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 8.8g
    Keyword macadamia clusters, nut clusers
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    « Secretly Healthy Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
    Apple Quinoa Breakfast Pot »
    798 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Whole Food Bellies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Check out my Amazon store here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nancy | Plus Ate Six says

      May 22, 2016 at 1:05 am

      So much better than buying them - I can't believe your ingredient list. Making these for an after dinner treat tonight - with dark chocolate of course 🙂

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        May 22, 2016 at 12:03 pm

        Ooh yum, I hope you enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    2. Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says

      May 21, 2016 at 6:27 pm

      I hate when I read the ingredients in something and am horrified that I ever ate it! These look delicious.. Can't go wrong with chocolate!!

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        May 21, 2016 at 7:15 pm

        Chocolate fixes everything 🙂

        Reply
    3. Noel Lizotte says

      May 21, 2016 at 5:02 pm

      Isn't it amazing how many ingredients are in commercial "goodies"? Homemade can be so simple and much healthier -even when it's treats.

      Thanks for sharing your version of these mac nuts. (my favorite!)

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        May 21, 2016 at 7:16 pm

        I know right! Some of the ingredients I read and all I can think is 'why???' Homemade is definitely better 🙂

        Reply
    4. Tamara says

      May 21, 2016 at 4:47 pm

      Love! Yes, so much unnecessary crap is in commercially produced food... I've gotten to where I read every label. I'm with you on the dark chocolate, and so is my hubby, so that makes it an easy decision at my house 🙂

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        May 21, 2016 at 7:17 pm

        Oh that's lucky, I am slowly slowly convincing my husband 🙂 I know, I have gotten ridiculous with reading labels - but once you realise whats in there, you just can't not!

        Reply
    5. Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says

      May 21, 2016 at 3:06 pm

      Beautiful! This clusters would make the ultimate dairy free treat for me.

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        May 21, 2016 at 7:17 pm

        Yes, they work so well with dairy free chocolate 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hello and welcome, I'm Donna!

    I am so glad you are here!

    Since I have a part-time job, 3 little kids, and a love of good food (as do you I assume), I have learned how to get the most out of the kitchen in the smallest amount of time.

    Forget about hunting down weird ingredients and making trips to specialty shops.

    We are going to make the most of what is available at the store and farmer's markets all whilst enjoying some delicious meals the whole family (hopefully...if you have fussy eaters I guarantee nothing) will enjoy.

    Pop on that apron and let's get creative in the kitchen!

    More about me →

    Summer Salads

    • Zesty Heirloom Tomato and Nectarine Salad
    • Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe with Passion Fruit Vinaigrette
    • Lightened Up Creamy Pasta Salad
    • Summer Stone Fruit and Spinach Strawberry Pecan Salad

    New Recipes

    • Crinkle Coconut Matcha Cookies
    • 5 Ingredient Coconut Matcha Energy Balls
    • One Pan Lemon and Garlic Chicken and Gnocchi
    • Low Carb Chicken Pizza Crust Recipe

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Media Kit

    Copyright © 2022 Whole Food Bellies