Caramelized Fruit And Nut Clusters Food

EASY WHITE-CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS WITH FRUIT AND NUTS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. In a small bowl, combine dried fruits and nuts.
• Heat white-chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring until smooth.
• Drop level tablespoons of melted chocolate onto prepared sheet, 2 inches apart. Mound fruit-nut mixture on top, pressing in gently. Refrigerate until set, 15 to 20 minutes.

CRUNCHY NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line 4 miniature muffin pans with candy cups; set them aside. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the coconut and nuts on separate cookie sheets. Bake each until golden brown, about 9 minutes for the nuts and 10 for the coconut, stirring every few minutes to keep them from burning. Let them cool.
• Combine the toasted coconut and nuts in a medium-size bowl. Melt the chocolate chips -- white or semisweet -- in the microwave according to the package directions. Add the melted chocolate to the coconut mixture; stir well. Drop the mixture by heaping teaspoonfuls into the candy cups. Chill until set, about 45 minutes.
• Melt the remaining chocolate according to the package directions. Pour the contents into a ziplock bag. Snip off a small corner of the bag, then drizzle the chocolate over the clusters. Chill until the glaze is set, about 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

FRUIT 'N' NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chips; stir until smooth. Stir in cranberries and cashews. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm. Store in an airtight container.

CARAMELISED NUTS

Steps:

• Mix together all the ingredients in a pan and place over a moderate heat. Stir constantly, allowing the mix to caramelise and turn brown and making sure all the nuts are well coated.
• Pour the nuts onto some greaseproof paper. Don't worry if they are stuck together, as they can be separated when cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

CARAMELIZED FRUIT AND NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Combine sugars, milk, and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat till sugars dissolve and mixture boils. Continue cooking to soft ball stage (236 degrees F).
• Add butter or margarine and tablespoon vanilla. Let cool 10 minutes.
• Beat just till mixture begins to lose its gloss, 3 to minutes.
• Quickly stir in nuts and fruits till coated. Drop immediately from spoons onto buttered baking sheet.