Marble Nut Clusters Food

NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Prepare the caramel mou: Place the corn syrup, sugar and just enough water to melt the sugar into a saucepan and place on high heat. Cook until the sugar is very dark brown and begins to burn. You will see white smoke. Remove from the heat and add the 1-ounce of water. Allow this to cool slightly.
• Place the roasted nuts on a silpat baking mat lined baking sheet.
• Place the butter and cocoa butter in a large heat-proof mixing bowl.
• Prepare the caramel: Place the sugar, corn syrup, Caramel Mou, cream, vanilla bean, butter, salt, and lemon juice in a saucepan placed over high heat. Insert a candy thermometer and cook to 250 degrees F (121 degrees C). Remove from the heat and pour over the butter and cocoa butter. Let cool for 5 minutes. Spoon the caramel over the nuts to make the clusters.
• Place the bittersweet chocolate in a paper cornet or small piping bag and drizzle chocolate over the nut cluster. Serve.
• Jacques' tip: To make a more kid friendly recipe, use store bought caramel squares. Unwrap them and place them on top of the nuts. Put in a warm oven until the caramel melts.

FRUIT 'N' NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chips; stir until smooth. Stir in cranberries and cashews. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm. Store in an airtight container.

CRUNCHY NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line 4 miniature muffin pans with candy cups; set them aside. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the coconut and nuts on separate cookie sheets. Bake each until golden brown, about 9 minutes for the nuts and 10 for the coconut, stirring every few minutes to keep them from burning. Let them cool.
• Combine the toasted coconut and nuts in a medium-size bowl. Melt the chocolate chips -- white or semisweet -- in the microwave according to the package directions. Add the melted chocolate to the coconut mixture; stir well. Drop the mixture by heaping teaspoonfuls into the candy cups. Chill until set, about 45 minutes.
• Melt the remaining chocolate according to the package directions. Pour the contents into a ziplock bag. Snip off a small corner of the bag, then drizzle the chocolate over the clusters. Chill until the glaze is set, about 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

MARBLE NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line 2 mini muffin pans with liners.
• Melt chocolate chips in microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in nuts.
• Drop chocolate nut mixture by teaspoonfuls into the muffin cups. Drip just a little melted white chocolate into the center of the cup. Using a toothpick, swirl the white chocolate through the chocolate. Cool, keep in fridge in air tight container.

NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Roast the nuts in a 350 degree oven until aromatic and lightly browned.
• Depending on the nut's it could be 5-12 mins Melt the chocolate with the oil and coffee in a double boiler over low heat.
• The water should not touch the pan and shouldn't be over 160 degrees f.
• Remove the chocolate as it starts to melt and stir, the ambient heat should be enough to finsih melting it.
• If not return to heat for a couple minutes.
• This can be done in a microwave if you stop it every 15 seconds to stir.
• Stir chocolate until it's, add nuts, drop onto sheets of wax paper with a heaping measuring teaspoon.
• Let cure, will take 1-4 hours depending on heat and humidity.
• Note, you may have too much chocolate depending on the nuts you use.
• This amount worked well for pecans and walnuts, but was a bit too much for almonds and cashews.
• Store in an airtight container for weeks.

DARK CHOCOLATE NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat. Place a teaspoon melted chocolate on baking mat; top with a small handful of almonds. Drizzle almonds with 1 tablespoon melted chocolate. Repeat process with remaining almonds and chocolate. Transfer to refrigerator and chill until firm.