Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Chocolates

Need a quick boost of energy?  Craving something sweet and salty?  Want chocolate?  Want to sound like you are eating something healthy?  You've come to the right place.  Try out these super easy to make chocolates for a quick fix.  I don't think these qualify for healthy, but they qualify for tasty.

Go ahead, raid your pantry

12 ounces or so of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups salted mixed nuts (or whatever you prefer)
1/2 cup sweetened coconut (if you like it)
1/2 cup dried cherries (dried fruit of your choice -craisins, raisins, blueberries....)
1/8 cup flax seeds (so you can sound healthy)

Some cupcake liners (for presentation, not eating)

These ingredients are very flexible.  Just think of your favorite trail mix + chocolate.  I just used what I had on hand.

Step 1.  Melt the chocolate. 
              Put chips in a microwavable bowl.  Heat in microwave for 30 second intervals.  Check to see when chips start to shine.  I heated them for about a minute and a half.  When the chips are shiny, stir them up.  Chocolate should be smooth but not runny.

           Hint:  DO NOT add liquid to the melted chocolate.  It causes it to seize or gunk up.  It still tastes the same but looks gross.  People have said you can add milk but it didn't work for me.

Step 2:  While the chocolate is melting, lay out a bunch of cupcake liners.  I put them on a cookie sheet for easy transport. You don't need to do that.  In between checking on the chocolate, line the bottom of the liners with your other ingredients. I added the nuts, a pinch of flax seeds, dried cherries and the coconut.

Step 3:  Scoop out a heaping spoonful of chocolate on top of your layer of trail mix.  The chocolate doesn't spread, so you need to help it along.  Pick up the liner, lift it off the surface a few inches and let it drop.  This will spread the chocolate around.  Do this a few times to coat everything with chocolate.  Top with more coconut if you wish.


These are pretty big and very rich.  Next time I will use the mini cupcake liners to make them smaller.

Step 4:  Let the sweet and salty trail mix chocolate sit at room temperature to harden.  You can speed up the process by sticking them in the freezer. 

Step 5: Peel off the wrapper and enjoy.  Store in a cool, dry place.  That is, if there are any left.