Nutclusters Recipes

MIXED NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips, milk and honey over low heat; stir until blended. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla; add nuts., Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm. Store in refrigerator.

NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Roast the nuts in a 350 degree oven until aromatic and lightly browned.
• Depending on the nut's it could be 5-12 mins Melt the chocolate with the oil and coffee in a double boiler over low heat.
• The water should not touch the pan and shouldn't be over 160 degrees f.
• Remove the chocolate as it starts to melt and stir, the ambient heat should be enough to finsih melting it.
• If not return to heat for a couple minutes.
• This can be done in a microwave if you stop it every 15 seconds to stir.
• Stir chocolate until it's, add nuts, drop onto sheets of wax paper with a heaping measuring teaspoon.
• Let cure, will take 1-4 hours depending on heat and humidity.
• Note, you may have too much chocolate depending on the nuts you use.
• This amount worked well for pecans and walnuts, but was a bit too much for almonds and cashews.
• Store in an airtight container for weeks.

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.

NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Prepare the caramel mou: Place the corn syrup, sugar and just enough water to melt the sugar into a saucepan and place on high heat. Cook until the sugar is very dark brown and begins to burn. You will see white smoke. Remove from the heat and add the 1-ounce of water. Allow this to cool slightly.
• Place the roasted nuts on a silpat baking mat lined baking sheet.
• Place the butter and cocoa butter in a large heat-proof mixing bowl.
• Prepare the caramel: Place the sugar, corn syrup, Caramel Mou, cream, vanilla bean, butter, salt, and lemon juice in a saucepan placed over high heat. Insert a candy thermometer and cook to 250 degrees F (121 degrees C). Remove from the heat and pour over the butter and cocoa butter. Let cool for 5 minutes. Spoon the caramel over the nuts to make the clusters.
• Place the bittersweet chocolate in a paper cornet or small piping bag and drizzle chocolate over the nut cluster. Serve.
• Jacques' tip: To make a more kid friendly recipe, use store bought caramel squares. Unwrap them and place them on top of the nuts. Put in a warm oven until the caramel melts.

CHOCOLATE NUT CRANBERRY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• 1. Line a small baking sheet with waxed paper.
• 2. Place chocolate chips in a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup and microwave on 50% power for approx 25 seconds - then stir well. Continue doing this until the chocolate chips are almost completely melted - reducing the time as you go. Be careful to not let the chocolate burn.
• 3. Add the nuts and dried cranberries to the melted chocolate and mix well.
• 4. Drop tablespoon fulls of the chocolate mixture onto the waxed paper-covered cookie sheet.
• 5. Place in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. Enjoy.
• 6. I like to store mine in the freezer.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan over low heat, cook and stir candy coating and chips until melted and smooth. Cool for 10 minutes; stir in peanuts., Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm, about 45 minutes.

PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Combine chocolate chips and peanut butter chips in top of double boiler. Stir frequently over low to medium heat until melted; add peanuts and stir.
• Drop by teaspoon full on wax paper. Allow to cool.

DARK CHOCOLATE NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat. Place a teaspoon melted chocolate on baking mat; top with a small handful of almonds. Drizzle almonds with 1 tablespoon melted chocolate. Repeat process with remaining almonds and chocolate. Transfer to refrigerator and chill until firm.