Nutty Raisin Clusters Food

NUTTY RAISIN PRETZEL CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Combine pretzels, raisins and almonds in large bowl. Add chocolate; toss until pretzel mixture is evenly coated.
• Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto wax paper-covered baking sheet. Let stand 1 hour at room temperature or until chocolate is firm.
• Remove from wax paper. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

PEANUT RAISIN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, stirring frequently. When melted, remove from the heat and mix in the peanuts and raisins. Drop the mixture by the spoonful onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat, or pour into a buttered loaf pan lined with plastic wrap. Let set at room temperature until firm and completely cooled. If using a loaf pan, cut up into squares. Store in an airtight container.

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.

RAISIN-ONI (CHOCOLATE RAISIN CLUSTERS)

Steps:

• For the simple syrup: In a saucepan bring 2 cups sugar and 1 cup water to a boil, stirring, and boil until sugar is completely dissolved. Cool syrup.
• For the Raisin-oni: Combine chocolate and simple syrup in a heat-proof bowl. Microwave for 1 minute 15 seconds, remove from microwave and stir to smooth consistency. Add raisins and 1 tablespoon water to the bowl and mix to completely cover all raisins. Using a spoon or small ice-cream scoop, scoop out raisins into clusters onto a waxed paper lined sheet pan. Once all RAISIN-ONI are formed, cover them with a sheet of waxed paper and plastic wrap, place in refrigerator and chill until firm.

CHOCOLATE NUT & CRAISIN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Melt chocolate chips in microwave for about 2 minutes.
• Chips will not appear melted.
• However, stir them to distribute the heat and get them melted.
• Add nuts and craisins, stirring until well coated.
• Drop teaspoonfuls onto a wax-paper lined cookie sheet.
• Place into refrigerator for about 1 hour.
• Note: if doubling the recipe, microwave time does not double.
• Check chips at about 2 1/2 minutes and add small amounts of time until chips are melted.
• It takes a bit under 3 minutes for a double recipe in my microwave.

NUTTY NOODLE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Melt chips.
• Remove from stove and add noodles and nuts.
• Mix well and drop from spoon onto wax paper.
• Cool in refrigerator until set firm.

PEANUT AND RAISIN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Melt chocolate in top part of double boiler over boiling water (You may just do in a pan over low heat if you don't have double boiler).
• Add condensed milk and salt.
• Cook for 10 minutes, or until thickened, stirring constantly.
• Add raisins and nuts.
• Drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper.
• Refrigerate until firm.
• Makes bout 20 clusters.

NUTTY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Melt chocolate in top of double boiler over hot, not boiling water. Remove from heat. Cool.
• Cream butter and sugar in large bowl until smooth.
• Beat in egg, melted chocolate, buttermilk and vanilla.
• Stir in flour, soda and nuts.
• Drop dough onto cookie sheet. Bake at 400 deg. for 8-10 minutes.
• Remove from cookie sheet to a wire rack. Frost while still warm.
• Melt chocolate and butter in small saucepan over low heat, stirring until completely melted.
• Add powdered sugar and water, mixing until smooth.
• 3 1/2 -4 doz. cookies.

RAISIN PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a heavy 3 quart saucepan,melt chocolate and shortening over medium heat,stirring until melted.
• Remove from heat and stir in nuts and raisins.
• Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Chill until firm,about 2 hours.
• Store in airtight conyainers in refrigerator.