Cranberry Cashew Clusters Recipes

CRANBERRY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Increase the heat to high and, without stirring, cook until the syrup is golden amber or until a candy thermometer reads between 250 to 265 degrees F (hard-ball stage), about 10 minutes (see Cook's Note*). Promptly remove the saucepan from the heat.
• Working quickly, drop 3 cranberries into the caramel. Use 2 forks to coat the cranberries completely in the syrup and pull together into a cluster. Place the cranberry cluster on a waxed paper lined baking tray. Repeat with the remaining cranberries. Reheat the syrup briefly over low heat if it starts to thicken. Let the clusters cool to harden.
• Melt the white chocolate in a stainless-steel bowl over barely simmering water. Stir constantly with a rubber spatula until the white chocolate is almost completely melted. Be careful that no moisture gets into the chocolate, or it will harden. Remove the bowl from the heat and allow the white chocolate to cool slightly.
• Dip the bottom of the cranberry cluster into the white chocolate and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet to set for approximately 20 minutes. Place clusters in paper candy cups and store in an airtight container.

CRANBERRY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan or microwave, melt the chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Stir in the cranberries and cashews. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.

CASHEW CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Cook 1 1/2 cups sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, swirling the pan but not stirring, until dark amber, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 2 tablespoons butter and 3 cups salted cashews. Pour onto an oiled baking sheet and separate into small clusters with 2 forks. Let harden.

CRANBERRY-CASHEW CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line a large baking sheet with foil; set aside. Place puffed rice cereal in a resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Using a rolling pin, roll over bag to crush cereal lightly. In a large bowl combine crushed cereal, the 1 cup cashews, and the cranberries; set aside.
• In a medium microwave-safe bowl microwave candy coating, nutmeg, and cinnamon, uncovered, on 100 percent power for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until candy coating melts, stirring every 30 seconds. Pour melted candy coating mixture over cereal mixture; stir until thoroughly combined.
• Quickly drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Let clusters stand about 30 minutes or until firm. In a small saucepan heat chocolate pieces and shortening over low heat until melted and smooth. Drizzle clusters with melted chocolate mixture. Sprinkle with additional finely chopped cashews.
• To Store: Layer clusters between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.