Home > Desserts > Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Chocolate Covered Pomegranate February 16, 2022 | No Comments SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Chocolate -Covered Pomegranate Clusters are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that are perfect for any occasion. Pomegranates are a nutrient-dense fruit, packed with antioxidants and vitamins, making these clusters a healthy alternative to traditional candy. When paired with rich dark chocolate, you’ll get the perfect combination of sweet and tart flavors. Chocolate-Covered Pomegranates: A Quick and Healthful Treat! Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate Clusters are a simple and delicious way to enjoy the health benefits of pomegranates while satisfying your sweet tooth. They’re easy to make and perfect for any occasion, and a great way to give a healthy twist to a delicious chocolate treat. There are several reasons why making your own Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate Clusters is a great idea: You have complete control over the ingredients used. When you make these treats yourself, you can choose high-quality chocolate and fresh pomegranate seeds, ensuring that your clusters are made with the best ingredients. You can customize the recipe to suit your own preferences. You can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or a combination of the two. You can also add in other ingredients such as nuts or dried fruits to give the clusters a different texture and flavor. You could even drizzle white chocolate over your finished clusters! By making your own at home you save a lot of money and you can be sure the ingredients are fresh. Most chocolate-covered fruits (especially chocolate-covered pomegranate treats) can be quite expensive. Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate Ingredients To make these delicious treats, you will need: Pomegranate seeds (arils) High-quality chocolate bars (dark or milk chocolate) Optional: coconut oil Optional: flaky sea salt (if you like it salty-sweet) Parchment paper How To Prepare a Pomegranate Preparing a pomegranate can seem daunting, but with a few simple steps, you can easily enjoy the sweet and tangy arils (seeds) inside. Here is one method to prepare a pomegranate: Cut off the top of the pomegranate, about 1/4-inch from the crown. Score the pomegranate along the natural segments, being careful not to cut too deep. Hold the pomegranate over a bowl of water, and break open the scored segments by gently pressing on the skin. The juicy arils will fall into the bowl of water. Discard any white membrane or pieces of pith that float to the surface. Drain the arils through a fine-mesh sieve. And for these Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Clusters, it’s very important the arils are as dry as possible! QUICK TIP Another method is to cut the pomegranate in half and then hit the back of the pomegranate with a wooden spoon to release the arils. This method is called the “thumping method.” Whichever method you choose, it’s important to note that the juice from the pomegranate can stain clothing and surfaces, so be sure to wear an apron and work on a surface that can handle staining. SHORTCUTS A Great Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate Short-Cut Option! Pomegranates that have already been seeded can often be found in small plastic cups in the produce section of the grocery store. Without having to seed a pomegranate, you can have these clusters ready in no time at all! Note these prepared arils are typically only available in the United States during the months of October to February. Melting Chocolate Melting chocolate in the microwave makes preparing the chocolate for these chocolate covered pomegranate clusters quick and easy. Here’s how to do it: Chop the chocolate into small, even-sized pieces. This will help the chocolate melt evenly and prevent burning. Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Add some oil to ensure the chocolate is nice and smooth. Microwave the chocolate in 30-second intervals. Stir well after each interval. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as this can cause it to seize or burn. Once the chocolate is almost completely melted, remove it from the microwave. Stir until it’s fully melted and smooth. Use the melted chocolate immediately! Also, be aware that white chocolate and milk chocolate tend to burn more easily than dark chocolate, so you need to be extra careful when melting those. Thoroughly Dry The Pomegranate Arils Water and melted chocolate don’t mix. It causes the chocolate to seize, and seized chocolate is a clumpy, thick, and grainy mixture that is no longer smooth and glossy. This happens because chocolate is a mixture of cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar. Cocoa butter is the fat component of chocolate and it is sensitive to moisture. When melted chocolate comes into contact with water or any other liquid, the water molecules cause the cocoa butter to separate from the cocoa solids and sugar, resulting in a thick and lumpy mixture. Even a small amount of water can cause the chocolate to seize, so it is important to keep the pomegranate arils as dry as possible! STORAGE Storing Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate Clusters To store Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate Clusters, place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to three months. Make sure the chocolate coating is fully hardened before storing, and store in a single layer to avoid sticking. I don’t recommend keeping the clusters at room temperature for too long; it can cause the chocolate to melt or the clusters to lose their freshness. More Easy Treats: Chocolate Covered Strawberries with a white chocolate drizzle Chocolate Covered Dates with a peanut butter filling Mini Brownie Bites with Rolos using a brownie mix Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie with an Oreo pie crust Chocolate Covered Oreos with a white chocolate drizzle FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Clusters 5 from 1 vote - Review this recipe Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate Clusters are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that is perfect for any occasion. Pomegranates are a nutrient-dense fruit that are packed with antioxidants and vitamins, making these clusters a healthy alternative to traditional candy. When paired with rich dark chocolate, you'll get the perfect combination of sweet and tart flavors. SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Clusters 5 from 1 vote - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate Clusters are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that is perfect for any occasion. Pomegranates are a nutrient-dense fruit that are packed with antioxidants and vitamins, making these clusters a healthy alternative to traditional candy. When paired with rich dark chocolate, you'll get the perfect combination of sweet and tart flavors. Course Dessert, Snack Cuisine American, Vegan, Vegetarian Keyword Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Clusters Prep Time 10 minutes Chilling Time 30 minutes Total Time 40 minutes Servings 10 clusters Calories 66kcal Author Chelsea Lords Cost $5.89 Ingredients▢ 1/2 cup pomegranate arils (Note 1)▢ 1 bar (3.5 oz.) good-quality chocolate bar (Note 2)▢ Optional: 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable oil▢ Jazz 'em up: See Note 3 InstructionsPREP: Start by preparing a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner. Remove the seeds from a pomegranate (See note 4), measure to get 1 cup, and dry the seeds thoroughly. Take your time here--wet seeds can cause the chocolate to seize!MELT CHOCOLATE: Coarsely chop the chocolate and melt it in the microwave with oil. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between intervals. Once fully melted, add the dry pomegranate seeds to the chocolate and stir gently. MAKE CLUSTERS: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to immediately drop the chocolate-covered seeds onto the prepared baking sheet, forming clusters of your desired size. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow chocolate to harden. STORAGE: Once hardened, store Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate Clusters in an airtight container or resealable bag. Refrigerate for 2-7 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Avoid storing them at room temperature as it can cause melting or loss of freshness. Recipe NotesNote 1: Pomegranate arils: Pomegranates that have already been seeded can often be found in small plastic cups in the produce section of the grocery store. Note 2: Chocolate bar: It's important to use a good-quality chocolate bar so the chocolate doesn't seize up. Our favorite is Lindt® dark chocolate with sea salt--so good! Use your favorite type of chocolate--milk, semi-sweet or dark. We like dark best here. Note 3: Jazz 'em up: You can also add in other ingredients (such as nuts or dried fruits) to give the clusters a different texture and flavor. You could even drizzle white chocolate over the finished clusters for a fun and unique twist. Note 4: How to seed a pomegranate: Cut off the top of the pomegranate, about 1/4 inch from the crown. Score the pomegranate along the natural segments, being careful not to cut too deep. Hold the pomegranate over a bowl of water, and break open the scored segments by gently pressing on the skin. The arils will fall into the water. Discard any white membrane or pieces of pith that float to the surface. Drain the arils through a fine-mesh sieve. For these Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate Clusters, it's very important the arils are as dry as possible! Nutrition FactsServing: 1serving | Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 0.3mg | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below.
