Cranberry Chocolate Clusters Food

CHOCOLATE ALMOND & CRANBERRY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan bring 1 inch of water to the boil. Reduce to a simmer then place a heatproof glass or metal bowl over the top of the saucepan.
• Add the chocolate and coconut oil into the bowl, stirring constantly until it is all slowly melted.
• Add in the maple syrup and vanilla essence. Stir until all combined. Remove chocolate from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes. It should slightly thicken during this time.
• Stir the almonds and dried cranberries into the chocolate. Line a baking tray with parchment/baking paper. Spoon mounds onto the prepared baking tray. Sprinkle with sea salt as desired.
• Place the chocolate clusters in the refrigerator for 30 minutes until set.
• Store the clusters in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

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.

CRANBERRY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Increase the heat to high and, without stirring, cook until the syrup is golden amber or until a candy thermometer reads between 250 to 265 degrees F (hard-ball stage), about 10 minutes (see Cook's Note*). Promptly remove the saucepan from the heat.
• Working quickly, drop 3 cranberries into the caramel. Use 2 forks to coat the cranberries completely in the syrup and pull together into a cluster. Place the cranberry cluster on a waxed paper lined baking tray. Repeat with the remaining cranberries. Reheat the syrup briefly over low heat if it starts to thicken. Let the clusters cool to harden.
• Melt the white chocolate in a stainless-steel bowl over barely simmering water. Stir constantly with a rubber spatula until the white chocolate is almost completely melted. Be careful that no moisture gets into the chocolate, or it will harden. Remove the bowl from the heat and allow the white chocolate to cool slightly.
• Dip the bottom of the cranberry cluster into the white chocolate and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet to set for approximately 20 minutes. Place clusters in paper candy cups and store in an airtight container.

CRANBERRY CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Melt chocolate using the microwave or double boiler (detailed in post)
• Stir in cranberries and nuts until coated with chocolate
• Using a spoon fill molds or spreat on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
• Let set in the fridge for 2 hours.
• Enjoy right away and store leftovers in an airtight container.

CRANBERRY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan or microwave, melt the chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Stir in the cranberries and cashews. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.

CRANBERRY & WHITE CHOCOLATE CLUSTER SQUARES

Steps:

• Mix butter and graham cracker crumbs.
• Pat into 9x13 pan.
• Mix remainder of ingredients together and spread over top.
• Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
• Chill and cut into squares.

CHOCOLATE NUT CRANBERRY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• 1. Line a small baking sheet with waxed paper.
• 2. Place chocolate chips in a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup and microwave on 50% power for approx 25 seconds - then stir well. Continue doing this until the chocolate chips are almost completely melted - reducing the time as you go. Be careful to not let the chocolate burn.
• 3. Add the nuts and dried cranberries to the melted chocolate and mix well.
• 4. Drop tablespoon fulls of the chocolate mixture onto the waxed paper-covered cookie sheet.
• 5. Place in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. Enjoy.
• 6. I like to store mine in the freezer.