Cranberry Clusters Food

CRANBERRY & ALMOND CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Heat the honey in a frying pan until it loosens and starts to bubble, then stir in the flaked almonds. Cook for a few mins, stirring constantly, so that some of the almonds toast and turn golden.
• Tip the almonds onto baking parchment, leave to cool, then break into clusters. Mix with the puffed rice and cranberries, then store in a Kilner jar or airtight container. Best eaten within 3 weeks.

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.

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.

WHITE CHOCOLATE, FRUIT AND NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Microwave chocolate in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until chocolate is almost melted; stir until completely melted.
• Stir in remaining ingredients.
• Spoon 1 tsp. chocolate mixture into each of 48 mini paper muffin cup liners. Refrigerate 10 min. or until firm.

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.

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.

CHOCOLATE PRETZEL CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Melt 12 ounces finely chopped semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring (do not let the bowl touch the water). Remove the bowl from the pan and let the chocolate cool slightly, then toss with 3 cups lightly crushed mini pretzel twists and 1 cup rice cereal squares (such as Chex). With an oiled spoon, scoop heaping tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until set, at least 30 minutes.

CRANBERRY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• 1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper; set aside
• 2. In a medium-size bowl, stir together cranberries, almonds and pretzel pieces. Mix
• 3. Place chocolate in a medium size microwave safe bowl or a medium size sauce pan and melt the chocolate till completely melted. I prefer using a pan on stove but either works. I personally just try to use the microwave as least amount as possible.
• 4. Stir cranberry mixture into chocolate until it's all evenly coated. Place a heaping tablespoon of mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, making it a rounded mound. Repeat till you have used all the mixture up. Chill for about 20 minutes before serving.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND CRANBERRY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a microwave safe bowl, microwave the chocolate almond bark on high for 2 minutes. Remove and stir the mixture.
• Return the mixture to the microwave and continue heating for about 30 seconds at a time, stirring between each time period until the mixture is melted and creamy.
• Remove the bowl from the microwave and add the sliced almonds and dried cranberries. Mix until fully incorporated.
• Using a mini ice cream scoop or a tablespoon to scoop out the mixture and pour out onto the parchment lined pan. I actually allowed the mixture to sit for about 2 minutes before scooping to keep the chocolate together better.
• If your chocolate spreads a little though, that's ok. Repeat with the remaining chocolate/almond/cranberry mixture.
• Allow your Chocolate Almond Cranberry Clusters to cool completely before moving.
• It is best to allow them to sit in the freezer for about 4 minutes, or the refrigerator for about 8.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature or simply place container in fridge to keep fresh longer.