Raspberry Cherry Chocolate Poppers Food

CHERRY BERRY BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl mix butter until fluffy. Add half the flour, then add, in order: brown sugar, lemon zest and juice, and egg. To remaining flour add baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and cloves. Mix until just incorporated. Fold in cherries and pour into ungreased 8 by 8-inch pan. Using a spoon, equally dollop preserves on top of batter and using a toothpick or skewer, drag the tip through the preserves to create a swirl pattern on top. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cake will be moist to the touch. Once cool, cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar to serve.;

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CHERRY ALMOND NOUGAT ON RASPBERRY SHORTBREAD WITH CARAMELIZED RICE CEREAL

Steps:

• For the cookies: In a mixer with a paddle attachment cream the butter and powdered sugar until you reach a uniform consistency. Add the raspberry puree and raspberry powder, mix until incorporated. Add the flour and cornstarch and mix just until combined. Shape into a log, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut 1/8-inch slices from the log of dough, and bake on silicone mat until the edges begin to brown. Reserve until ready to assemble.
• For the nougat: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray, set aside. Place 6.6 ounces water, 21.9 ounces of the granulated sugar and the glucose into a very large pot. Cook until the candy thermometer reads 260 degrees F.
• While the sugar is cooking, boil the honey in a separate pot. Once the sugar mixture reaches the proper temperature, pour the honey into the syrup and continue cooking until the thermometer reads 275 degrees F. Pour the sugar mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Add the egg whites and the remaining 1.3 ounces granulated sugar while whisking on high speed. Once the mixture has cooled down, add the melted cocoa butter and continue mixing until just incorporated. Turn off the mixer, then fold in the almonds and cherries. Roll out onto the prepared baking sheet, and cool.
• For the caramelized cereal: Place 2 ounces water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and the vanilla paste in a pot and cook over medium heat. Do not stir. Once mixture reaches a golden-brown color, stir in the rice cereal and pour onto a silicone mat until cooled.
• In a double boiler, melt two-thirds of the dark chocolate. Pull from the heat. Slowly add in the remaining chocolate, and stir until it is completely melted. Your candy thermometer should read 90 degrees F. If it is too hot add more unmelted chocolate and repeat the same process. Check the temperature, once it reaches 90 degrees F, use immediately.
• To assemble: Roll a piece of nougat into a ball and place on top of a shortbread cookie. Dip in the tempered dark chocolate and top with the caramelized rice cereal. Allow the chocolate to set.