Chocolate Nut Candies Food

CHOCOLATE COCONUT CANDIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, coconut, almonds and milk. Shape into 1-in. balls. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes. , In a microwave, melt semisweet chips and shortening on high for about 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth., Dip balls in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Coat or garnish with ingredients of your choice. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.

DARK CHOCOLATE AND HAZELNUT CANDIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the hazelnuts on a small baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool. Transfer the hazelnuts to a cup and line the baking sheet with wax paper.
• Meanwhile, combine the confectioners' sugar, rice cereal and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, about 20 times. Add the chocolate-hazelnut spread and melted butter. Pulse until the mixture comes together in clumps, about 15 times; the mixture should be dry to the touch but hold together when pressed.
• Roll the mixture into teaspoon-size balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Press a hazelnut into each ball and then press the dough back into a ball shape, leaving part of the hazelnut exposed at the top. Freeze the balls at least 20 minutes to let them firm up.
• Put the chocolate chips, shortening and a pinch of salt in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until the chips on the bottom start to melt, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Stir until the mixture is melted and smooth. Gently stick a toothpick into the upper half of a ball, avoiding the hazelnut, and dip into the melted chocolate, leaving the top half uncoated. Allow the excess chocolate to drip off and return the ball to the baking sheet. Smooth over the hole from the toothpick with your fingertip. Repeat with the rest of the balls. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes. You can store the balls covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

NO-BAKE HAZELNUT AND CHOCOLATE CANDIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the hazelnuts on a small rimmed baking sheet and bake until toasted and golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper; set aside.
• Combine the confectioners' sugar, rice cereal and salt in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the chocolate-hazelnut spread and butter. Pulse until the mixture begins to form clumps and holds together when squeezed.
• Roll teaspoons of the mixture into balls, pressing a hazelnut into the center of each so the top of the nut is still visible; place on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Put the chocolate and shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Gently stick a toothpick into the upper half of a candy, avoiding the hazelnut, and dip the bottom half into the melted chocolate. Allow the excess chocolate to drip into the bowl and return the dipped candy to the baking sheet. Remove the toothpick and smooth the hole with your fingertip. Repeat with the remaining candies. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes.

TRIPLE-NUT CANDY

Steps:

• Place the walnuts, pecans and Brazil nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 4-8 minutes or until toasted and golden brown, stirring once. Cool on a wire rack. Line an 8-in. square pan with foil; grease the foil with butter and set aside. , In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, cream and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir in the toasted nuts. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage). , Remove from the heat. Stir with a wooden spoon until creamy and thickened. Quickly spread into prepared pan; cool. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. , Using foil, lift candy out of pan; discard foil. Cut candy into squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

SO EASY CHOCOLATE NUT CANDY CUPS

Steps:

• Place chips and shortening in medium microwave safe bowl and microwave on high or 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until smooth when stirred.
• Stir in nuts.
• Spoon heaping teaspoonful of mixture into 1" paper candy cups.
• Refrigerate until firm.
• Peel off paper cups, if desired.

COCONUT CANDIES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together milk and sugar until smooth. Heat, without stirring, to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. Remove from heat and stir in coconut and vanilla. Let cool slightly.
• Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto waxed paper lined sheets and let cool completely.