Cranberry Pistachio Candy Squares Recipes

PISTACHIO CRANBERRY BARK

Steps:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips until melted; stir until smooth. Stir in 3/4 cup pistachios and half of the cranberries; spread onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with melted candy coating. Cut through layers with a knife to swirl., Sprinkle with the remaining pistachios and cranberries. Refrigerate until firm., Cut or break into pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

CRANBERRY-PISTACHIO CANDY SQUARES

Steps:

• Line 13x9-inch pan with foil; spray foil with cooking spray. In 1 1/2-quart saucepan, melt chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of the butter over low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth. Remove from heat. With wire whisk, beat in 1/2 package (4 oz) of the cream cheese until smooth. Spread in pan. Freeze until set, about 30 minutes.
• In 2-quart saucepan, melt remaining 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat. Stir in evaporated milk and pudding mix until blended. Stir in powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in pistachios. Carefully spread thick pudding mixture over frozen chocolate layer. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in another 2-quart saucepan, melt almond bark over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Stir in remaining 1/2 package cream cheese and the cranberries. Pour over chilled pudding layer; spread to cover. Refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours.
• Remove candy from pan by lifting foil. Cut into 1-inch squares; remove from foil. Store in refrigerator.

HOLIDAY CRANBERRY-ORANGE PISTACHIO BARS

Steps:

• Bright red cranberries and toasted green pistachios stud these tart-and-tangy bar cookies and make them a colorful addition to any cookie platter. They hold well in both the refrigerator and the freezer so they're an excellent make-ahead option.
• To prepare crust: Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350degreesF. Coat an 8-inch-square baking pan with cooking spray.
• Beat butter, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and brown sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Stir in whole-wheat flour, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour and salt until well combined (the mixture will still be crumbly). Evenly press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until just barely golden around the edges, 10 to 12 minutes.
• To prepare topping: Combine 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add egg, egg white, orange zest and juice; stir until blended and smooth.
• Sprinkle cranberries over the baked crust. Pour the orange mixture over the cranberries and sprinkle with pistachios.
• Bake until golden and set, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack; if possible, chill before cutting into squares.
• Recipe Tips & Notes:
• 1. Note: Whole-wheat pastry flour is milled from soft wheat. It contains less gluten than regular whole-wheat flour and helps ensure a tender result in delicate baked goods while providing the nutritional benefits of whole grains.
• 2. Tips: To make quick work of chopping cranberries, place whole berries in a food processor and pulse a few times until the berries are coarsely chopped.
• 3. To toast chopped pistachios, cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes. .
• Recipe Nutrition:
• Per serving: 126 calories; 4 g fat (2 g saturated fat, 1 g mono unsaturated fat); 19 mg cholesterol; 22 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 1 g fiber; 44 mg sodium; 58 mg potassium
• 1/2 Carbohydrate Servings
• Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1 other carbohydrate, 1/2 fat
• To Make Ahead: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month