Chocolate Cherry Clusters 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.

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.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat or with 40 mini-muffin liners.
• If you're using white chocolate, use 6 tablespoons/85 grams butter. For semisweet chocolate, use 8 tablespoons/113 grams butter. Put the butter in a small saucepan, top with the chocolate and cook over very low heat, stirring almost constantly, until smooth. (Alternatively, you can stir in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water or in a microwave-safe bowl in a microwave, stirring in 20-second increments.)
• Meanwhile, toss the cornflakes, cranberries and coconut, if using, in a large bowl. Pour over the melted chocolate and gently stir in with a flexible spatula. Some of the cereal will break - it's inevitable - but keep working until you've coated all of the flakes.
• Use a medium cookie scoop or two spoons to shape sweets either on the lined baking sheet or in the paper liners. Gently press the mixture into the scoop or a spoon, binding the elements, before releasing the scoop or scraping the mixture off the spoon with another spoon onto the sheet or into the liners. Finish with salt and sprinkles, if using.
• Refrigerate or freeze (my preference) for about 30 minutes, or until set, before serving. To keep, cover and refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to a month. These are good straight from the fridge or just a few minutes out of the freezer.

CHERRY ALMOND CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, toss together the almonds and the cherries. Line a baking sheet with waxed 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. 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 top 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-sized clusters of the chocolate mixture onto the baking sheet about 1-inch apart. Put them in the refrigerator to set for 15 minutes. Store and serve at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine oats, coconut, chopped nuts, cocoa, and vanilla. In a saucepan combine butter, milk and sugar and bring to a boil for two minutes. Pour this hot liquid over mixture in large bowl and mix thoroughly. Drop by spoonful onto waxed paper. Let cool before wrapping.

EASY CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a 3-qt. slow cooker, combine the candy coating, chocolate chips and German chocolate. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 1 hour longer or until melted, stirring every 15 minutes. , Stir in peanuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until set. Store at room temperature.

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!

BIG-CLUSTER CHOCOLATY GRANOLA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl, use a fork to stir together the maple syrup, oil, cocoa powder and salt until smooth. Add the oats, nuts and seeds, and stir until combined.
• Spread the mixture out on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Bake, without stirring, until fragrant and dry to the touch, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Sprinkle the dried fruit over the granola (if using), then turn off the oven. Leave the granola in the oven to cool completely, 30 minutes to an hour, then break into clumps. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

CHERRY CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line baking sheet or large flat platter with parchment or waxed paper.
• Place chocolate cookies in zip closed plastic bag and use rolling pin to crush them into small crumbs (or chopper). Set aside.
• In large microwave-bowl combine butter, corn syrup and chocolate chips. Microwave for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stopping every 20 to 30 seconds to stir, until melted and smooth. Stir in cranberries and dates, then mix in crushed cookies.
• Use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out 1 tablespoon balls of the mixture. Set them directly onto prepared baking sheet or into mini foil baking cups. Top each ball with half of candied cherry.
• Cover and store in refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY CLUSTERS

Steps:

• 1. In a medium bowl, microwave chocolate on high for 1 minute, until nearly melted.
• 2. Stir until smooth.
• 3. Quickly stir in cheerios, cherries and walnuts until well coated.
• 4. Using a tablespoon, drop in clusters on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• 5. Refrigerate for 2 hours, until no longer sticky.