Fast Holiday Candy Recipe: Pecan-Raisin Clusters

Photo by Cynthia L. Nobles

From Denny:  Talk about a simple recipe that is fast to create!  Perfect for holiday entertaining this little gem of a recipe comes from Cynthia L. Nobles and it was featured in our local Louisiana newspaper a couple of months ago.  Of course, I quickly recognized it's worth as a recipe perfect for the holidays, whether it's gift-giving or entertaining the friends and relatives! :) 

Do you have a little leftover morning coffee?  This recipe uses up a few tablespoons of it so no need to throw it out after all.  I mean, really, when you can make a chocolate recipe with some leftover morning coffee who said being frugal couldn't be fun and tasty?...

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If you want to tone down the sugar level in this recipe then consider using Ghiradelli's 60 percent chocolate chips which are not as sweet as Hershey's and other brands.  Instead of traditional raisins you could use the white raisins which do not taste quite as sweet to me.  Of course, I'd add espresso or French roast coffee for that more intense taste to balance the chocolate.  You could even add about 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract (no substitutions of imitation vanilla, please).  Even the nuts can be exchanged:  pecans for almonds, walnuts, cashews or hazelnuts - whatever your desire!

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Raisin-Pecan Clusters

From:  Cynthia L. Nobles

Makes:  24 pieces of candy

Ingredients:

1 (12-oz.) pkg. chocolate chips

1 tbl. butter

2 tbls. strong brewed coffee

1 cup raisins

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Have ready 24 mini-cupcake liners. Melt chocolate chips, butter and coffee in a double boiler or microwave.

2. Stir in raisins and pecans and drop by large teaspoonfuls into cupcake liners. Refrigerate until firm.

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Unusual 2 Tasty: Valentines Day: Warm Upside-Down Pear Cake With Tangerine Custard Sauce

Unusual 2 Tasty: Valentines Day: Warm Upside-Down Pear Cake With Tangerine Custard Sauce: From Denny: For pear lovers - and lovers - this is an outstanding dessert good enough for any holiday!

Like any upside down cake this one is practically beginner cook and foolproof. The custard requires a more experienced cook and a little time but is well worth the effort.

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• Comfort Food From Louisiana: 2 Recipes: Coffee Cake and Apple Cake Topped with Pecan Streusel (unusual2tasty.blogspot.com)
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Awesome Chocolate Pecan Tart

From Denny:  This easy tart combines two of my favorite flavors - chocolate and pecans.  Louisiana Bergeron pecans are wonderful if you can get them where you live.  If not, just look for the freshest ones, even asking your grocer when a new shipment is due.

Pecans exude such a wonderful aroma when roasting in the oven that is hard to resist.  Make sure you slightly warm the dessert when you serve it for the holidays.  That's how we like it at our house! :)


Awesome Chocolate Pecan Tart

Makes: 10 to 12 servings

From:  Wolf SubZero site

Ingredients:

Crust

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1 tablespoon sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons ice water

Filling

2 large eggs 2/3 cup light

brown sugar

1/3 cup light corn syrup

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons bourbon, divided

1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups pecan halves

1 tablespoon cold butter

Directions:

To Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour, butter, sugar and salt with fingertips until butter is fully incorporated. Add ice water and gently knead until just combined. Flatten out into a 6” circle, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour. Remove from refrigerator and roll out on floured surface with rolling pin until it is a 14 inches circle. Place dough into a 10-inch tart or springform pan that has a removable bottom. Tuck dough into tart pan and trim edges along top or trim dough 1 inch up sides of springform pan. Set aside.

To Make the Filling: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, vanilla and 1 tablespoon bourbon with a whisk. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the bottom of the crust. Pour egg mixture over the chocolate chips. Arrange pecans over surface. Dot the top with cold butter. Place in center of oven about 55 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and drizzle remaining bourbon over the top. Allow to cool before serving.

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* Check out Dennys News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food - a place where all my other 20 blogs link so you can choose from among the latest posts all in one place.  A free to read online newspaper from independent journalist blogger Denny Lyon. * 

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