Chocolate Cluster Cookies Food

PEANUT BUTTER-CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and shortening in a large heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Stir until melted and smooth, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan and add the cereal and peanuts. Stir with a rubber spatula until evenly coated.
• Spoon the cereal mixture into clusters (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheet; sprinkle with nonpareils. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

EASY CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a 3-qt. slow cooker, combine the candy coating, chocolate chips and German chocolate. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 1 hour longer or until melted, stirring every 15 minutes. , Stir in peanuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until set. Store at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine oats, coconut, chopped nuts, cocoa, and vanilla. In a saucepan combine butter, milk and sugar and bring to a boil for two minutes. Pour this hot liquid over mixture in large bowl and mix thoroughly. Drop by spoonful onto waxed paper. Let cool before wrapping.

CHOCOLATE CLUSTER COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° oven.
• Unwrap cookie dough; place in mixing bowl, add peanut butter, nuts and remaining ingredients to dough.
• Mix well.
• Drop dough 1 inch apart onto a cookie sheet.
• Bake 16- 18 minutes or until cookies are light golden brown.
• Cool 1 minute.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat or with 40 mini-muffin liners.
• If you're using white chocolate, use 6 tablespoons/85 grams butter. For semisweet chocolate, use 8 tablespoons/113 grams butter. Put the butter in a small saucepan, top with the chocolate and cook over very low heat, stirring almost constantly, until smooth. (Alternatively, you can stir in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water or in a microwave-safe bowl in a microwave, stirring in 20-second increments.)
• Meanwhile, toss the cornflakes, cranberries and coconut, if using, in a large bowl. Pour over the melted chocolate and gently stir in with a flexible spatula. Some of the cereal will break - it's inevitable - but keep working until you've coated all of the flakes.
• Use a medium cookie scoop or two spoons to shape sweets either on the lined baking sheet or in the paper liners. Gently press the mixture into the scoop or a spoon, binding the elements, before releasing the scoop or scraping the mixture off the spoon with another spoon onto the sheet or into the liners. Finish with salt and sprinkles, if using.
• Refrigerate or freeze (my preference) for about 30 minutes, or until set, before serving. To keep, cover and refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to a month. These are good straight from the fridge or just a few minutes out of the freezer.

CHOCOLATE CANDY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate and chips at 70% power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Stir in walnuts and pretzels. , Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm. Store in an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE-CHERRY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, break cornflakes into small pieces with your fingers. Add cherries and toss together.
• Place 2/3 cup chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over (not in) a pot of simmering water. Stir occasionally until chocolate melts, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add remaining chocolate, stirring until melted. (Alternatively, microwave the chocolate in a bowl in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until melted.) Pour over cornflake mixture and, with a rubber spatula, gently fold just until cereal and cherries are completely coated.
• Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto 2 parchment-lined baking sheets and let set in a cool, dry place, 1 hour.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Have sheets of waxed paper on the counter or table, ready to go.
• Mix the cocoa, sugar, milk and butter in a heavy, medium-sized saucepan.
• Place over medium heat and bring to a rolling boil; don't stir once it boils.
• Boil until the soft-ball stage.
• Remove from heat and stir in the peanutbutter, oats, vanilla and salt.
• Working quickly, drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper and let set at room temperature until firm.
• Quantities vary; it depends on how much you drop from your spoon.
• 2 dozen is an approximation.