Caramel Peanut Clusters Food

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.

SUNNY'S EASY KITCHEN SINK CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with the paper liners.
• In a small bowl, mix together the peanut butter, powdered sugar, liquid smoke and a pinch of salt. Transfer to a zip-top bag. Slice about 1/2 inch off one of the bottom corners of the bag.
• Place 2 pretzels in the bottom of each muffin cup. Pipe a heaping teaspoon of the peanut butter onto the pretzels in each cup. Top each with a caramel and press it down into the peanut butter. Bake until the caramel is melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the chocolate over a double boiler. Remove the clusters from the oven and top each with about a teaspoon of melted chocolate and a pinch of salt. Place in the refrigerator until set, about 1 hour. Remove from the muffin tin and serve.