Love Nibbles Valentines Caramel Pecan Clusters Recipes

CARAMEL PECAN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• on a greased baking sheet, arrange pecans in 6 clusters of 5 pecans, each.
• place a caramel on each cluster.
• bake at 300 degrees for 4-5 minutes or until caramels are melted.
• top with a chocolate square.
• bake 1 minute longer or until chocolate is melted.
• spread the chocolate over caramel until smooth.
• remove clusters from pan to cool on a wire rack.

PECAN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Microwave chocolate in 8-inch glass baking dish uncovered on high power about 1 minute; stir. Microwave, stirring after 30 seconds, until melted, about 1 minute. Add pecans and stir to coat.
• Line baking sheet with waxed paper. Using soup spoons, drop pecans in 24 mounts on waxed paper. Let stand until hardened, refrigerating if necessary. Store in airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 weeks.

LOVE NIBBLES (PECAN CLUSTERS)

Steps:

• 1. Butter two cookie sheets (do NOT try using wax paper--the caramel will stick to it). Combine caramels, butter and water; zap in the microwave (uncovered) on high power for about 3 minutes--STIRRING every 30-45 seconds. Add the pecans and stir. Drop from a spoon (use a knife to keep things neat) onto the BUTTERED baking sheets. Chill sheets for an hour or freeze for 15 minutes (caramel will be set). Coarsely chop both the dark chocolate and the almond bark/white candy coating. Melt chocolate and bark in the microwave, on high for about 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds or so. Line cookie sheets with waxed paper. Dip pecan clusters in the chocolate; place clusters on waxed paper. Chill until firm.

PECAN CARAMEL CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramels, water and butter. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 3 to 3-1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in pecans. , Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Freeze for 15-20 minutes or until set., In a microwave-safe bowl, combine candy coatings. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 15 seconds; stir until smooth. Dip caramel clusters in coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Chill until firm.

PECAN CARMEL CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Place caramels, butter, and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth, about 3 minutes. Stir in pecans.
• Drop caramel pecan mixture by spoonfuls onto parchment paper. Place in freezer for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Dip each caramel cluster into chocolate using a fondue fork until coated; place on parchment paper to dry. Chill until firm, if necessary.

ROASTED PECAN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a 15x10 inch jelly roll pan while oven preheats to 300 degrees. Spread the pecans in the pan, tossing to coat with the butter. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes, stirring twice.
• Melt the chocolate candy coating in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Cool for 2 minutes; add pecans, and stir until coated. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto wax paper. Cool. Peel from the wax paper and store in an airtight container.

CHUNKY CARAMEL POPCORN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 250°F Place popcorn, cashews and pecans in large roasting pan.
• Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil (7 to 8 minutes). Continue boiling 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda.
• Pour butter mixture over popcorn mixture in pan; stir well. Bake for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven; place onto waxed paper or parchment paper. Cool completely. (DO NOT BREAK INTO PIECES.).
• Place chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon shortening into resealable plastic food bag. Microwave on HIGH (100% power) for 30 to 45 seconds; knead bag. Continue microwaving at 15 second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; drizzle melted chocolate over popcorn mixture. Repeat with white baking chips and remaining 1/2 teaspoon shortening, microwaving on MEDIUM-HIGH (70% power). Drizzle over popcorn mixture. Let stand until chocolate is set (3 to 4 hours). Break popcorn mixture into pieces.
• Store in container with tight-fitting lid or resealable plastic food bag.
• Recipe Tip
• Chocolate and white baking chips can be melted separately with shortening in a small bowl in microwave or in small saucepan over low heat until melted. Drizzle chocolate mixtures with fork or spoon.

HEART-SHAPED FRENCH MACARONS

Steps:

• MACARON SHELLS:.
• Print out two sheets of the heart-shaped pattern and place side by side on a large baking sheet. Cover with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl sift sugar and almond flour together (I do this at least twice to ensure any large bits are removed). In a stand mixer, beat the room temp egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Add sugar and beat until meringue forms. Slowly fold in dry ingredients and mix by hand until mixture takes on a drizzly cake batter consistency. (You should be able to form ribbons when lifting away from bowl).
• Scoop into a piping bag with a 1/2 inch circular tip and pipe onto outlines on parchment paper. Use a water dampened brush to perfect edges. Remove the paper pattern from beneath the parchment and allow to rest uncovered for 30 minutes.
• Pre-heat oven to 225 degrees. After resting, place in oven for 15 minutes. Remove and allow to cool completely before filling and placing in your box.
• RASPBERRY BUTTERCREAM FILLING:.
• In a stand mixer, beat room temp butter until fluffy. Add icing sugar one cup at a time. Add whipping cream, salt, flavoring and desired color and whip until very pale and airy. Scoop into piping bag and fill your macaron shells before filling your specially-designed sweetheart boxes (#530145).