Ellie Kriegers Cherry Almond Chocolate Clusters Food

CHERRY-ALMOND-CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, toss together the almonds and cherries. Line a baking sheet with wax paper.
• Melt half the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over slightly simmering water, over the lowest possible heat, stirring frequently; make sure the water is not touching the top pan. Remove the double boiler from the heat, and stir in the rest of the chocolate until melted. Remove the top pan with the chocolate in it, gently wipe the bottom of it, and set it aside for a moment. Replace the simmering water in the bottom pan with warm tap water. Put the pan of melted chocolate on to of the warm water. This will keep the chocolate at the right temperature while you make the clusters.
• Stir the fruit/nut mixture into the chocolate. Spoon out heaping tablespoon-size clusters of the chocolate mixture onto the baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Put them in the refrigerator to cook and set for about 20 minutes. Store and serve at room temperature.

ELLIE KRIEGER'S DOUBLE-CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Melt the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally; do not let the bottom of the bowl touch the water.
• Whisk the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and brown sugar until smooth, then add the yogurt, oil and vanilla and whisk to combine. Whisk in the melted chocolate mixture until blended. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just moistened.
• Spread the batter in the prepared pan and sprinkle with walnuts, if desired. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely in the pan on a rack before slicing.

BISCOTTI WITH DRIED CHERRIES, CHOCOLATE AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl whisk together the all-purpose and whole-wheat flours, the baking powder and salt. In a large bowl beat together the sugar, eggs, oil, orange zest and vanilla extract until well combined. In batches add the dry ingredients until the mixture forms a dough. Beat in the cherries, almonds and chocolate.
• Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead several times. Shape into a log about 10 inches long and 3 inches wide. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes. With a serrated knife, cut 1/2-inch diagonal slices. Arrange cut-side down on the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Turn the cookies over and bake the biscotti until golden, 5 to 10 minutes longer. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

ELLIE KRIEGER'S CHERRY-ALMOND-CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In medium bowl toss together almonds and cherries. Line baking sheet with waxed paper.
• Melt half of the chocolate in top of double boiler over slightly simmering water, on lowest possible heat setting. Stir chocolate frequently, making sure water in bottom pan does not touch top pan. Remove double boiler from heat. Stir in remaining chocolate until melted. Remove top pan and wipe water from bottom of pan; set aside To keep chocolate at the right temperature while making clusters, replace the simmering water in the bottom pan with warm tap water and place the pan of melted chocolate on top of the warm water.
• Stir fruit-nut mixture into chocolate. Spoon heaping tablespoon-size clusters of the chocolate mixture onto waxed paper-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Refrigerate to cool and set, about 20 minutes. Store and serve at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In medium bowl, microwave chocolate chips on high 1 minute.
• Stir.
• Microwave on high 1 more minute, until nearly melted.
• Stir until smooth.
• Quickly stir in cereal, cherries, and walnuts until well coated.
• Using a tablespoon, drop clusters on a wax paper lined baking sheet.
• Refrigerate 1 hour, until no longer sticky.

CHERRY ALMOND CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• 1. In a medium bowl, toss together the almonds and the cherries. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
• 2. Melt the chocolate & wax in a glass bowl in the microwave at 30 second intervals until all the chocolate and wax is melted. Stir frequently.
• 3. Stir the fruit-nut mixture into the chocolate. Spoon out heaping tablespoon-sized clusters of the chocolate mixture onto the baking sheet about 1-inch apart. Put them in the refrigerator to set for 15 minutes. You can also chill them int he freezer for a few minutes. Store and serve at room temperature.

CHERRY CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line baking sheet or large flat platter with parchment or waxed paper.
• Place chocolate cookies in zip closed plastic bag and use rolling pin to crush them into small crumbs (or chopper). Set aside.
• In large microwave-bowl combine butter, corn syrup and chocolate chips. Microwave for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stopping every 20 to 30 seconds to stir, until melted and smooth. Stir in cranberries and dates, then mix in crushed cookies.
• Use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out 1 tablespoon balls of the mixture. Set them directly onto prepared baking sheet or into mini foil baking cups. Top each ball with half of candied cherry.
• Cover and store in refrigerator.

CHERRY ALMOND CHOCOLATE CLUSTER

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, toss together the almonds and cherries.
• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
• Melt half the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over about an inch of barely simmering water, over the lowest possible heat, stirring frequently.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rest of the chocolate.
• Remove the top pan with the chocolate in it, gently drying the bottom, and set it aside.
• Replace the simmering water in the bottom pan with warm water from the sink. Put the pan of melted chocolate on top of the warm water. This will keep the chocolate at the proper temperature while you make the clusters.
• Stir the fruit and nut mixture into the chocolate.
• Spoon out heaping tablespoon size clusters of the chocolate mixture onto the baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
• Put them in the refrigerator to set for at least 15 minutes.
• Store and serve at room temperature.
• Enjoy!