Crunchy Chocolate Clusters Recipes

CRUNCHY CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Place pretzels, raisins and pine nuts in a bowl. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Stir in coffee granules, cinnamon and sour cream. To rewarm, microwave in additional 5- to 10-second intervals. Add to pretzel mixture; toss until combined., Drop mixture by heaping tablespoonfuls onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt., Refrigerate until set, about 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

CRISPY CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Crush peanuts into small pieces; set aside.
• Cover baking sheet with waxed paper. Melt chocolate in large microwaveable bowl as directed on package, following microwave directions. Add corn flakes, cranberries and peanuts; stir gently until evenly coated with chocolate.
• Use large spoon to drop cereal mixture into 24 clusters on prepared baking sheet.
• Top each with marshmallow. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.

CHOCOLATE CRISPY RICE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line a mini-muffin pan with mini-muffin paper cups. Fill each cup about halfway with Rice Krispies. No real measurement required here.
• Carefully melt the chocolate chips (can also use bar chocolate for baking, candy melts would also work but already have a lot of added flavor thus taking away from the vanilla-cinnamon combo) either on stovetop or in the microwave. If microwaving, be VERY careful because culinary chocolate can burn if nuked too hard!
• When it's a nice stirring consistency, stir in the vanilla and cinnamon.
• While the chocolate is still hot, spoon over the Rice Krispies, coating them well.
• Gently re-microwave if mixture begins to stiffen.
• Freeze the pan for at least 2 hours prior to eating.

CRUNCHY NUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line 4 miniature muffin pans with candy cups; set them aside. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the coconut and nuts on separate cookie sheets. Bake each until golden brown, about 9 minutes for the nuts and 10 for the coconut, stirring every few minutes to keep them from burning. Let them cool.
• Combine the toasted coconut and nuts in a medium-size bowl. Melt the chocolate chips -- white or semisweet -- in the microwave according to the package directions. Add the melted chocolate to the coconut mixture; stir well. Drop the mixture by heaping teaspoonfuls into the candy cups. Chill until set, about 45 minutes.
• Melt the remaining chocolate according to the package directions. Pour the contents into a ziplock bag. Snip off a small corner of the bag, then drizzle the chocolate over the clusters. Chill until the glaze is set, about 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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.