Chinese Clusters Recipes

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.

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt chocolate and butterscotch chips, stir until smooth. Stir in chow mein noodles and peanuts until well coated. , Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set.

Steps:

• In the microwave melt the chocolate and peanut butter chips, stir until smooth.
• Add in the chow mein noodles and peanuts; mix until coated.
• Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a baking sheet that has been lined with waxed paper.
• Refrigerate until set (about 2-3 hours).
• **NOTE* these will easily pick up refrigerator odors if stored in the fridge so place in a tightly covered container.

Steps:

• Heat chips in a bowl in the microwave for 6 minutes on High (or until melted), stirring every 2 minutes.
• Stir until smooth.
• Stir in noodles and nuts.
• Drop onto wax paper.
• Chill if desired (until set).
• Note: Recipe can easily be doubled!

Steps:

• 1. Melt both kinds of chips together in the microwave.
• 2. Stir in chow mein noodles and peanuts.
• 3. Spoon onto wax paper and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with wax paper, parchment paper, or aluminum foil. Set aside.
• Melt the chocolate chips and butter together in a metal bowl set over, but not touching, a pan of simmering water, or in a microwave-safe bowl in a microwave oven. Stir the mixture until it is smooth. In a large mixing bowl, toss the noodles and peanuts together. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over them. Working quickly before the chocolate hardens, use a rubber spatula to mix and coat the noodles and nuts with chocolate.
• Use 2 soup spoons (or teaspoons, depending on how large you want your clusters) to scoop up portions of the mixture. Set the clusters on the prepared sheet. Set the baking sheet in a cool place (not in the refrigerator) until the chocolate hardens.
• The clusters can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, combine chocolate and butterscotch chips. Melt, stirring constantly over low heat.
• Remove when melted and add chow mein noodles. Add cashews or peanuts. Mix quickly to coat Dip out tablespoons onto wax paper. Cool. (Can also melt chips in the microwave.)