Cherry Almond Chocolate Cluster Recipes

CHOCOLATE-CHERRY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, break cornflakes into small pieces with your fingers. Add cherries and toss together.
• Place 2/3 cup chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over (not in) a pot of simmering water. Stir occasionally until chocolate melts, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add remaining chocolate, stirring until melted. (Alternatively, microwave the chocolate in a bowl in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until melted.) Pour over cornflake mixture and, with a rubber spatula, gently fold just until cereal and cherries are completely coated.
• Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto 2 parchment-lined baking sheets and let set in a cool, dry place, 1 hour.

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.

CHOCOLATE PRETZEL CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Melt 12 ounces finely chopped semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring (do not let the bowl touch the water). Remove the bowl from the pan and let the chocolate cool slightly, then toss with 3 cups lightly crushed mini pretzel twists and 1 cup rice cereal squares (such as Chex). With an oiled spoon, scoop heaping tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until set, at least 30 minutes.

ALMOND AND CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Lightly grease the mini-muffin tins with vegetable oil spray. Place 1 teaspoon of slivered nuts in each of the muffin cups. Unwrap the caramel candies, cut each candy into quarters and place 4 quarters (1 candy) in each of the muffin cups on top of the nuts in a single layer. Bake in the oven until the caramel is just melted and beginning to spread, about 8 minutes. Be careful not to over melt the caramel or it will bubble, burn, and become too hard. Place the mini muffin tins in the refrigerator for 5 minutes to cool. Remove the nut clusters from the tins and set aside.
• Meanwhile, melt the bittersweet chocolate in a double boiler over low heat. Wisk 2 to 3 tablespoons of cream into the chocolate to slightly thin the chocolate for coating the clusters. Dip half of the nut clusters in the bittersweet chocolate and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Return the clusters to the refrigerator to harden, about 30 minutes.
• Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler over low heat. Wisk 2 to 3 tablespoons of cream into the chocolate to slightly thin the chocolate for coating the clusters. Dip remaining half of the nut clusters in the white chocolate and place on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet with the other chocolate-covered clusters. Return the clusters to the refrigerator to harden, about 30 minutes.

CHERRY-ALMOND CHOCOLATE SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Make the shortcakes: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the all-purpose flour, almond flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl until combined. Work in the butter with your fingers until it is in pea-size pieces, then stir in the chopped chocolate. Whisk the heavy cream and egg in a small bowl, then add to the flour mixture and stir until combined. (The dough will be slightly sticky.)
• Scoop 6 balls of dough (about 1/3 cup each) onto the prepared baking sheet using a large ice cream scoop or a measuring cup, spacing the dough 2 to 3 inches apart. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly brush each ball of dough with melted butter and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake until the edges are firm and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Toss the cherries with 1/3 cup granulated sugar, the cornstarch, almond extract and water in a medium saucepan; let sit 30 minutes. Cook over medium heat until the juices are bubbling and syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the amaretto. Let cool to room temperature, at least 2 hours.
• Beat the heavy cream and the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a medium bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Whisk the mascarpone to loosen, then beat into the whipped cream until medium peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Split each shortcake and fill with the whipped cream and cherries.

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!

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.

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.

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.