I love my bright red cake tin. To leave it sitting empty would be a crime. So, it’s often filled with my youngest gals favorite Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Brownies or my family’s go to breakfast, Confetti Muffins.
On occasion I’ll surprise my Bennett Crew with a little something new like Chef Laurie’s Classic Pound Cake or Pink Patisseries gluten free chocolate cupcakes. I won loads of happy faces for those two treats.
However, when that bright red cake tin is empty, I am promptly notified.
It’s not that we consume many sweets in this house. Actually, dinner is the highlight around here and it can make or break the day… so I’ve been told. But the comfort of knowing the red cake tin holds a bit of indulgence, seems to keep the bright and cheery going strong.
Especially if that indulgence includes chocolate.
This lovely little mix of dark chocolate covered granola, fruit and nuts seems to fly out of the cake tin. I made this treat over the weekend and by Wednesday all but a few granola crumbs were gone.
You can use any kind of granola (or no granola if you eat grain free), nuts or dried fruit but my family loves this with a mix of tree nuts, vanilla granola, dried diced apricots and dried blueberries. It’s a simple recipe with lots of room for variation and experimentation.
It also makes a fun and tempting treat for your aspiring young chef’s to create. Not to mention this decadent little snack pairs beautifully with a glass of one of my favorite cabernet’s the Collinetta Cabernet from Rocca Vineyards. Not a bad way to start the weekend. 🙂
Here’s to the little things in life. Like chocolate… and a bright red cake tin filled with something sweet.
Delicious Wishes and Loads of Love!
Karista
Dark Chocolate Granola, Fruit and Nut Snack
Ingredients
8 ounces of your favorite dark chocolate ( I love the 65% Colombian dark chocolate that I purchase from my local Co-op Natural Market. It pairs beautifully with the fruit and nuts)
1 cup of your favorite granola (my family loves plain vanilla granola, or granola with dried blueberries both of which are lovely with this recipe)
1 1/2 cups tree nuts or your favorite nut mix (I use a bulk nut mix from my Co-op market that includes almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, pistachios and pepita (pumpkin) seeds)
1 cup of your favorite dried fruit such as dried blueberries, raisins, cranberries, cherries, apricots, chopped dried bananas, pineapple, mango, etc.
Sea salt (because a dash of salt makes everything taste better)
Directions
Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
In a large bowl combine the granola, fruit and nuts.
In a microwave safe bowl or a double boiler (stovetop) gently melt the chocolate until “just melted”. If you are microwaving the chocolate be sure to microwave in 15-20 second increments so you don’t over cook or scald the chocolate.
Once the chocolate is melted, pour it over the granola, fruit and nuts and gently stir to combine.
Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet as thin or as thick as you like. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt.
Let the mix cool at room temperature for about an hour or until it has hardened and can be broken into pieces.
Store in your favorite container or “cake tin”. Or store it in a Ziploc bag. Keep it in a cool place. Enjoy!
Love these type of sweets – so easy to make. I’ll tell you a secret, but on those occasions when my sweet tooth is just calling out, I’ve been known to also do something similar but on a smaller scale. I’ll microwave some chocolate in a small bowl and throw in whatever I can find (nuts, granola, dried fruit,etc) and stir all together. Hard part is waiting for it to chill in the fridge after I’ve poured it out onto some wax paper 🙂
Thank you Danny! You should definitely blog another version! Especially since it’s something you’ve been doing for years. The story would be fun to read, 🙂 I have to confess as well, when I was in college I did something similar often including the last bit of cookie crumbs and marshmellows. Lol! Late night study food.
Karista, your cake tin is beautiful! I can see why you like to keep it filled with goodies. I just love this chocolate granola treat you made. I make chocolate bark but never thought to include granola. Brilliant! I hope you are doing well. Hugs to you!
Thanks dear friend! I add the granola mostly because my someone in my house always eats the nuts and I never have enough. Lol! Hugs back at ya!
What a great twist on granola!
Thank you YummyChunklet! Enjoy 🙂
These sound delicious Karista… a perfect ‘treat’ that’s still packed with goodness for hungry tummies! Love that cake tin. I can definitely understand why you’d want to keep it packed with goodies. You have a lucky family! xx
Thank you Laura! Secret that I didn’t blog… sometimes I’ll add mini marshmallows just for fun. Not as healthful but a little more enticing for the teenagers that fill my house. Lol!
Oh, I bet this is good with a glass of red! Yum!
Oh you betcha! The perfect end to a long day. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Mimi.
I want a bright red cake tin on my counter, Karista, especially if it’s filled with these! What a fun tradition!
Thanks Jess! I think you’re two little gals would love a bright red cake tin too. 🙂 Hope you’re feeling fabulous! xo Karista