Trinity Chocolate Clusters
Last Updated on May 29, 2023 by Heather Reseck
This recipe originally appeared in the April 9, 2022 issue of Guide magazine, which is a publication for children ages 10-14. It is the second in a series of 28 monthly installments called “Belief Bakery”, which uses a hands-on cooking project to illustrate each of the 28 fundamental beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists.
This project is in collaboration with my husband, Greg Reseck, an educator, who tests the recipes with the students in his classroom.
We emphasize the love of God and Biblical concepts and tie them into fun cooking projects with healthy plant-based recipes.
Sweet Trinity
Belief 2: The Trinity
1+1+1= 1
Does the equation above make sense?
It’s heavenly math: 1 Father + 1 Son + 1 Holy Spirit = 1 God.
Now let’s contrast it with human relationship math.
At recess time, Ava grabbed the ball and dashed out the door with Bri. They started playing two-square.
Olivia walked over and said, “Ava, I need to talk to you.”
“I am playing a game with Bri.” Ava responded.
Olivia glared at Ava with “the look” and stomped away.
Human Relationship Math
Human relationship math: 1 +1 +1 = frequent drama!
“Two’s company, three’s a crowd” This saying is so often true because we are naturally self-centered and easily threatened when a friend turns their attention to someone else.
With three people, each person must be willing to occupy the position of the third person to the other two. That works beautifully with the Godhead, but not so well with self-centered humans.
Three-Way Unity
God is an eternal fellowship shared by three distinct divine Persons who are united in mutual love and the common purpose of working together for the good of others. The three-way unity of perfect love between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the ultimate demonstration of other-centered and self-sacrificing love.
While the word trinity does not appear in the Bible, the concept of the three-fold Godhead occurs repeatedly. Believers are to be baptized in the name of all three: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19.
The desire of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is that you would live in a relationship with each of Them and share that love with others.
Here on earth, we’ll never fully understand the heavenly equation of 1+1+1=1. But when we get to heaven, we’ll have eternity to experience additional facets of God’s love. We’ll learn heavenly math from the one and only God of love—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Trinity Chocolate Clusters
Make these three-ingredient treats as a reminder of how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one and yet remain distinctly unique. Remember to model God’s self-sacrificing love and share some of them!
Before you begin:
- Read through the recipe, variations, and tips.
- Choose if you want to make the main recipe or a variation.
- Arrange to buy any ingredients that you need.
Steps to get ready to cook:
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Gather the equipment.
- Gather the ingredients and measure them.
Trinity Chocolate Clusters
Equipment
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Cookie sheet
- Parchment or waxed paper
- Double boiler (see tips for alternatives)
- Spoon for stirring
- Rubber spatula
- Plate for serving
Ingredients
- ¾ cup chocolate chips dairy-free
- ¼ cup roasted shelled peanuts
- ¼ cup dried cranberries or raisins
Instructions
- Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper.
- Coarsely chop the peanuts so pieces are about ¼ of a peanut. Transfer to a small bowl.
- Add cranberries to the bowl with the peanuts and stir to mix.
- Pour 1-2 cups of water in the bottom of a double boiler so there is about ½ to 1-inch of water yet allows for space for steam to develop below the bottom of the boiler.
- Place the top section of the double boiler on top and pour in the chocolate chips. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until chocolate melts.
- Dollop about 2 teaspoons of melted chocolate on the parchment paper and spread into about a 2-to-2½ inch wide circle. Repeat with remaining chocolate to form about 15 circles.
- Sprinkle the nut and dried cranberry mixture over the chocolate and gently press it in.
- Refrigerate or freeze until the chocolate becomes firm, about 10-15 minutes.
- Transfer the clusters to a plate and serve.
- To store: Place in a covered container and store in a cool place or in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- Remember to wash the dishes and clean up after yourself.
Video
Notes
- Trinity Chocolate Clusters with Sea Salt: Sprinkle the chocolate rounds with sea salt before or after adding the nut mixture.
- Nut-Free Trinity Chocolate Clusters: Substitute pumpkin seeds or roasted sunflower seeds for the peanuts Trinity Carob Clusters: Substitute carob chips or chopped carob bar for the chocolate.
- Other Nuts: Substitute chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, or toasted cashews or pistachios for the peanuts.
- Other Dried Fruit: Substitute dried cherries, dried blueberries, or chopped dried apricots or mango for the cranberries or raisins.
- Be careful not to allow any water to drip into the melted chocolate. It can cause the chocolate to seize and turn into a clump that won’t melt.
- Heat the chocolate slowly over medium-low heat to prevent it from seizing and becoming grainy.
- Make sure that the water does not touch the bottom of the top section of the double boiler, so the chocolate doesn’t get too hot.
- If you don’t have a double boiler, use a heat-proof bowl, such as Pyrex, or a round casserole over a small saucepan. The bowl should be large enough that the edges extend above the top of the saucepan for easy removal.
