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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