These Sweet and Salty Candy Clusters are so fun to make and they come together in no time flat. Toasted almond slivers, pretzels and raisins to give them that sweet, salty and chewy texture that's magical. No matter your cooking skill level you can make these and they'll turn you into the dessert hero.
Easy Sweet and Salty Candy Clusters Recipe
I've prepared many different cluster candies through the years, but, I always seem to come back to this ingredient combination. I'm a huge fan of Cadbury's fruit and nut candy bars hence the reason I opted to put chewy raisins in these clusters. The recipes that inspired this sweet and salty cluster didn't include pretzels and they were skimpy on chocolate. Now, after tweaking to make it to our taste, I wouldn't make this candy any other way. Fair warning, you can't eat just one.
How to Make the Best Sweet and Salty Candy Clusters
At the holidays, it's always fun to get together with friends and family to make sweets to share. Whether you're giving them to teachers, hair dressers, Doctor's office staff or neighbors, everyone loves homemade goodies.
- Ingredients you'll need to make homemade Sweet and Salty Candy Clusters: Milk chocolate baking chips, toasted slivered almonds, broken pretzels, solid vegetable shortening and raisins.
- Kitchen tools you'll need: A double boiler, measuring cups and spoons, a sheet pan covered with wax paper, rubber spatula.
- If you don't have a double boiler, you can make your own! Find a bowl that will fit into a small saucepan without touching the water. If using a glass bowl make sure it's tempered glass. Place the chocolate and vegetable shortening in the bowl, then place over about 1 inch of simmering water. Don't let the bowl touch the water. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is completely smooth.
- To toast the almonds, place them in a single layer on a sheet pan. Place into a preheated 350°F oven for 6-8 minutes or just until lightly golden and fragrant.
- When sharing candy as a gift, remember the packaging is everything. Most candies can be gifted in pretty tins or seasonal cellophane bags. Don 't forget the ribbon.
- Mason Jars are fabulous for things like this Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix in a jar from Very Best Baking.
- When sharing as a gift, don't forget to include a card telling the recipient the best way to store the homemade gift. Consider any special dietary needs of those whom you're giving the gift of food.
- This candy is so simple to make it's the ideal opportunity to get everyone involved from the youngest to the oldest. That's how memories are made.
- Store Sweet and Salty Candy Clusters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
More Easy Homemade Candy Recipe to Make
We've all heard the saying, "Nothings says loving like something from the oven." It's so true, but homemade candy, cookies and hot chocolate will also delight your loved ones. Other ideas for gift giving:
- Chocolate covered homemade Bourbon Balls.
- Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix with cute floating snowmen.
- The holidays wouldn't be the same without these Snowball Cookies on the menu.
- Friends and family will swoon over these Santa Hat Brownies.
- Classic Southern Divinity Candy filled with pecans.
- If you aren't inclined to bake, see how to make this stunning Christmas Dessert Board to serve.
- Sweet and Salty Crockpot Candy is a great way to gently melt the chocolate without fuss.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Sweet And Salty Candy Clusters
Servings: 42 servings
Calories: 88kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup slivered almonds toasted
- 3 cups milk chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoon vegetable shortening
- ⅔ cup golden raisins
- ⅔ cup broken pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet. Roast for 6-8 minutes, stirring as needed. Set aside to cool, while you prepare the chocolate.
- In the top of a double boiler, melt together the chocolate and shortening until smooth. Alternately, In a microwave safe bowl, melt together 3 cups of chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of shortening. Heat in 30 second intervals, stopping to stir as needed. Continue this process until completely smooth.
- Meanwhile, place pretzels, raisins and toasted almonds into large mixing bowl. Pour melted chocolate on top. Stir until evenly coated.
- Using a teaspoon or a small cookie scoop. drop in clusters onto wax paper. Allow to set up for 1 hour or until and dry. May chill to speed process.
- Store in an airtight container on the chilled or at room temperature. Bring to room temperature for serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
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My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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