Dark Chocolate Snack Bites

Prepare the ice cube trays: Make sure your ice cube tray is clean and completely dry. If you just washed it, let it air-dry for a few hours before making your chocolate bites until all moisture has evaporated. Coat each of the wells lightly with nonstick baking spray.

Toast the nuts: If you’re using nuts, toast the nuts on a baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes at 350°F, until slightly darkened and fragrant. Cool completely before using.

Chop large ingredients: Roughly chop larger ingredients like nuts, large dried fruits, and long strips of candied ginger until they’re pea-sized or smaller.

Place the ingredients in separate bowls: Place all the dried fruit in one bowl, the chopped nuts in another bowl, and so on. This makes them easier to sprinkle evenly over the chocolate squares.

Chop the chocolate: Chop the chocolate into small pieces no bigger than a chocolate chip. If you’re using chocolate chips or discs, you don’t need to chop the chocolate.

Melt the chocolate: Transfer the chocolate to a microwave-safe measuring cup. Microwave at half-power for 1 minute, then stir. Microwave another 20 seconds at half-power and stir. Continue microwaving at half-power and stirring every 20 seconds until only a few small lumps remain. Stir until the remaining lumps have melted. (Alternatively, melt the chocolate using the double-boiler method, or you can temper it.)

Divide the chocolate between all the wells of the ice cube tray: Fill the wells with just 1/4- to 1/2-inch of chocolate — the equivalent of a tablespoon or two.

Sprinkle the toppings over the chocolate: Sprinkle a little of each topping over the chocolate. When finished, use your fingers or the back of a spoon to very gently press the toppings into the chocolate to make sure they stick. If you have any leftover melted chocolate, you can drizzle it over the tops of the bites.

Let the chocolate set: The chocolates will set in a few hours at room temperature, or you can place the trays in the fridge to help the chocolate set more quickly.

Store the bites: Carefully pop the bites out of the ice cube tray (thinner bites might crack if pressed in the middle, so be gentle). Transfer the bites to an air-tight container. Store at room temperature for several weeks (or store in the fridge if your kitchen is very warm).