This post may include affiliate links; for details, see our disclosure policy.

These cranberry pistachio chocolate clusters are a delicious and healthy no bake dessert! They’re easy to make and a total crowd pleaser.

Cranberry Chocolate Pistachio Clusters

We like to think of chocolate as a natural food, which I think qualifies these cranberry pistachio chocolate clusters as a “whole foods” holiday treat? Compared to the peppermint ice cream sandwiches, the preparation is a dream: quick and simple. Melt the chocolate, add cranberries and pistachios, and cool in refrigerator. Easy as that, and the result is so so delicious, especially with a quality dark chocolate. With the contrasting red and green of the pistachios, they’re fun and festive without the need for colored sugar or icing. And, dare I say, healthy?

How to make pistachio chocolate clusters

Some people just ooze baking and cookies practically fall off of them as they walk…insanely talented friends Annie, Sarah, Ashlae, and Kathryn come to mind. For those of you who don’t consider yourself a natural-born baker (both Alex and I included), these are perfect holiday treats to whip up. They’re also a great gluten-free option if you’re looking for something for the holiday table.

All you do for these pistachio chocolate clusters is literally: melt chocolate, pour it into circles, and add toppings. Since we originally made these chocolate clusters for Christmas, we added naturally green and red toppings: pistachios and dried cranberries. However, of course you can add any toppings that you like! Almonds, walnuts, pecans, dried cherries, sea salt, edible glitter: whatever you think would look and taste good! Many chocolate clusters recipes have the “toppings” inside the clusters: but for our cranberry pistachio chocolate clusters we placed them on top for visual appeal.

Cranberry Pistachio Chocolate Clusters

Looking for cookie recipes?

Aside from these cranberry pistachio chocolate clusters recipe, here are a few of our favorite cookie recipes:

This recipe is…

This pistachio chocolate clusters recipe is vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan, plant-based and dairy-free using vegan chocolate.

Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Print

Cranberry Pistachio Chocolate Clusters

Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

These cranberry pistachio chocolate clusters are a delicious and healthy no bake dessert! They’re easy to make and a total crowd pleaser.

  • Author: a Couple Cooks
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 32 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (2 cups) high-quality dark chocolate chips, vegan if necessary
  • 2/3 cup salted pistachios (or substitute roasted salted pepitas)
  • 2/3 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

  1. Line two baking sheets with wax paper.
  2. Fill a large skillet halfway with water and bring to a simmer. Place 2 cups chocolate chips in a heat-safe bowl (metal or glass). Once the water is simmering, turn off the heat and place the bowl of chocolate in the water, then stir until melted.
  3. Drop a small mound of chocolate onto wax paper, then top each mound with 4 to 5 cranberries and 4 to 5 pistachios.
  4. Cool in the refrigerator until hardened (30 minutes to 1 hour).

Did you love this recipe?

Get our free newsletter with all of our best recipes!

 

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Hi! We’re Sonja and Alex Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

30 Comments

  1. Michelle says:

    Yumm! I’ll be making these to bring to book club this week. Do you get your fair trade chocolate online? Amazon? I’m always wondering where to find more information about where to buy fair trade locally.

  2. Meghan says:

    I just made these for a French class Christmas party, and they turned out great!! They weren’t difficult to make, and you can’t get much better than just three ingredients. Thank you so much for the great recipe! :)

  3. Rachel (teacher-chef) says:

    These are absolutely delicious, I just whipped up a few for a gathering this weekend. I also mixed in some of the nuts and cranberries into the melted chocolate. The flavor combination is not expected, but so perfect!

  4. Olivia Lane says:

    found you via Fair Trade Certified’s post on FB. Those clusters look incredible! i gotta get my guy to make me some. I’d like cardamon in mine too.

  5. Paula says:

    I love the idea of these, but I have a cashew allergy (with pistachios being in that “family”). I was thinking about using pepitas in their place as they are also have a green hue. What are your thoughts on the flavor combination? Just looking for thoughts before I make a huge batch! Thank you!

    1. Sonja says:

      Paula, I think pepitas is a great idea! The flavor combination would be perfect (I think), especially if they are salted since it would bring in the salt. I will actually list this as a substitution in the recipe!

  6. sarah says:

    Thanks, friends! And these look delicious. I’ll have to add them to my Christmas baking list. ;)

    1. Sonja says:

      You’re so welcome – thanks for inspiring us!

  7. Alexe @ Keys to the Cucina says:

    These look scrumptious. I love the salty combination of the pistachios with the chocolate!

  8. Grace says:

    YUM! I’m going to make these this weekend. Love the light in the last picture.

    1. Linda Wagner @ Linda Wagner Nutrition says:

      I agree, great shot, sharing these with my clients and on my blog tomorrow!

      1. Sonja says:

        Wonderful – thanks, Linda!

    2. Sonja says:

      Thanks, Grace! Let us know how they turn out!

  9. Kathryn says:

    Ha, you are too kind! I wish cookies really did fall off me as I walked – I’m pretty sure I’d be the most popular person in the office!

    I love the simplicity of these – it’s such a classic and perfect combination of flavours with such a great balance of sweet/salty/tart. Love them.

    1. Sonja says:

      Haha, wouldn’t that be nice? At least in my head that’s what happens when you walk :) Thanks for being an inspiration!

  10. Lisa in Indy says:

    Thanks for the great idea. So easy. I think I would drop the melted chocolate by teaspoonful into tiny muffin-like paper cups first and then add the pistachios and dried cranberries. That way, you have the same size pieces and you don’t have to handle them to pry them off the parchment. Plus, people eating them don’t get chocolately fingers. (no, I’m not being compulsive like Martha!)

    1. Sonja says:

      Good idea! Muffin cups would add a fun element. Thanks for mentioning!

  11. Linda Wagner @ Linda Wagner Nutrition says:

    These are PERFECT!! Thank you for sharing!!

  12. Nicole says:

    This is my kind of dessert!

  13. Susan says:

    Just this year, I realized that I LOVE pistachios and I’ve long been a dark chocolate fan – I WILL be making these soon!

  14. Skye says:

    For some reason pistachios just say Christmas to me. I don’t know if it’s a simple as because they’re green or if there’s just something so very decadent and festive about them. Love the idea of mixing them with chocolate and cranberries. Triple Christmas.

  15. Deanna Brzeg says:

    This is a must to make!

  16. amy says:

    Yes, I think you have just provided me with the answer to “what should I make for the neighbors this year?” Simple and festive – thanks!

    1. Sonja says:

      Great idea! This would definitely be a good one for a gift for friends or neighbors. Good luck!

  17. steph@stephsbitebybite says:

    I can’t even imagine how many of these I could gobble up!

  18. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says:

    Love the simplicity to these – they’re super pretty too!

  19. Jess says:

    Love the simplicity and festive look of these desserts. You’re so right – it’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle this time of year, but just taking a step back to enjoy the moment is so key. Happy holidays and here’s hoping for little stress and a little extra chocolate. ;)

    1. Sonja says:

      Cheers to that! Thanks, Jess!

  20. Shanna says:

    I like the hand sneaking in in the bottom pic. : ) These look great, guys!

    1. Sonja says:

      Haha, yeah, I just couldn’t wait! Thanks :)

See More Comments