Peanut Clusters Kolachkies Dessert Tray Food

PEANUT BUTTER-CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and shortening in a large heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Stir until melted and smooth, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan and add the cereal and peanuts. Stir with a rubber spatula until evenly coated.
• Spoon the cereal mixture into clusters (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheet; sprinkle with nonpareils. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine flour & brown sugar in a bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in nuts. Reserve 1 cup of crumb mixture. Press remaining crumbs into the bottom of ungreased 13 X ( X2 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese & sugar until light & fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in milk, lemon juice & vanilla. Pour cream cheese mixture over crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Bake 25 to 30 minutes longer or until edges are lightly browned and filling is almost set.
• Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into squares. Garnish with cherries, if desired. Store in refrigerator. Recipe makes about 24 bars.
• PLEASE NOTE: I made much more than 1 recipe in what you see here. Eventually I hope to post recipes for all the desserts on the variety tray.The recipe for no bake Bon Bons is already posted. https://www.justapinch.com/print/dessert/cookies/no-bake-peanut-butter-bonbons.html The recipe for the Kolachkies are also posted as Peanut Clusters & Kolachkies Dessert Tray: https://www.justapinch.com/print/dessert/cookies/peanut-clusters-kolachkies-dessert-tray.html

PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Place chips and shortening in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at HIGH an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Stir in peanuts.
• Spoon heaping teaspoons of peanut mixture into 1-inch paper candy cups or paper-lined muffin cups. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Store tightly covered in refrigerator. About 2-1/2 dozen candies.

EASY PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Microwave chocolate and butterscotch chips in a 2 quart glass dish for 5-6 minutes on 60% power, or until melted.
• Watch carefully!
• (They don't actually melt, but look very shiny).
• Add peanuts and mix well.
• Drop by tablespoons on waxed paper.
• Cool in refrigerator.
• Store in covered container in refrigerator.
• I have used different chocolate chips other than Toll House, and they do not work well.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Place both chips and shortening in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at High 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred.
• Stir in peanuts.
• Drop by teaspoons into 1-inch diameter candy or petit four papers. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Store tightly covered in refrigerator.

PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt candy coatings, stirring often until blended. Stir in the peanuts until coated. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until serving.