Chocolate Cherry Moonshine Crescents Food

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY MOONSHINE

Steps:

• In a large stockpot bring the cherry juice to a slight simmer. Add in the maraschino cherries with it's juices. Add both the 1/2 cup each of white and brown sugar. Stir for a few minutes until all the sugar is dissolved. Once dissolved, remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
• Once cooled to room temperature, pour in 2 1/2 cups of the Everclear into the mixture along with 1 full cup of the chocolate liqueur.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY MOONSHINE CRESCENTS

Steps:

• For the crust, place the butter and cream cheese in a large bowl, and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth, 1 minute. Add the salt, and add 2 cups of the flour, and the almond extract, beating on low speed until the dough just comes together.
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Flour your hands and work the dough until the ingredients are well-combined. Roll the dough into a ball and then cut the ball into three sections. Wrap each ball in plastic wrap and press down on the dough, slightly. Refrigerate the dough overnight.
• When ready to bake, place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and set aside.
• On a well-floured surface, unwrap one of the balls of dough. Using a floured rolling pin, create a 12-inch circle with the dough. Do not worry about the edges. Transfer the dough onto a baking sheet and place in the fridge to keep the dough from becoming too soft.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
• Take the rolled dough out of the fridge and transfer back onto the floured surface. Spread a generous 1/3 cup of the jam evenly over the dough. Then sprinkle a third of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the preserves, followed by a third of the chocolate chips. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 12 even wedges. Starting from the outside, tightly roll the wedge inward to the tip. Transfer the crescents onto the baking sheet with the tip down.
• In a small bowl, combine the egg white and water. Lightly brush each crescent with the egg wash.
• Bake the crescents until the sides are golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the crescents, using a metal spatula, onto a cooling rack. Let them cool before serving. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.

CHOCOLATE COVERED DRUNKEN CHERRIES

Steps:

• 1. *If you have moonshine cherries, pour the juice into another container and save for another use. Place cherries on a cookie sheet lined with paper towels. If the cherries have stems leave them on.
• 2. Use paper towels to dry off cherries as much as possible.
• 3. In large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream butter until light and fluffy. Add salt and vanilla. Gradually add some of the sugar and condensed milk, beating after each addition. Continue until all sugar and milk are incorporated. Chill well.
• 4. Place a small amount of sugar mixture in the palm of your hand and flatten into a small circle. Place a cherry in the center and shape into a ball covering the cherry with sugar mixture.
• 5. Place each cherry on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet. When desired number of cherries are wrapped put cookie sheet into the freezer while you melt the chocolate for dipping. (Freeze for at least 30 minutes.)
• 6. Melt chocolate according to package directions. The cold cherries will cause the chocolate to thicken so add some crisco or cooking wax, a little at a time, to thin the chocolate for easy coating.
• 7. Hold cherries by the stem, or using a fork, toothpick, or spoon and dip the cherries in chocolate and put back on waxed paper lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate until chocolate hardens.
• 8. If you like a thick chocolate coating, dip cherries a second time after the first coat has hardened.
• 9. Make your own drunken cherries by pouring the cherry juice out of the jar and saving it for another use. Pour Everclear into jar and cover cherries. Let sit for 2-4 months. It can sit longer if desired. After using cherries reserve Everclear cherry juice for another use or add more cherries.