Cherry Nougat Bites Recipes

PISTACHIO-CHERRY NOUGAT BITES

Steps:

• Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, letting foil extend over edges of pan by 2 inches. Spray with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside. In a large saucepan, combine sugar, honey, and 3⁄4 cup water. Cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 260°. While sugar mixture cooks, in a large bowl, beat egg whites and reserved vanilla bean seeds at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. When sugar mixture reaches 260°, remove from heat. With mixer on low speed, carefully and gradually add sugar mixture to egg whites. Add extracts. Increase speed to medium-high; beat 12 minutes. Add pistachios and cherries. Beat 3 minutes. Spread mixture into prepared pan. Top with almonds, pressing gently. Let stand 8 hours. Lifting edges of foil, remove mixture from pan. Cut into 2-inch squares. Store in an airtight container up to 5 days.

CHERRY NOUGAT BITES

Steps:

• Combine condensed milk, vanilla essence and sugar in a mixing bowl.
• Stir in powdered milk and cherries with a wooden spoon until combined.
• Turn mixture onto surface lightly dusted with icing sugar.
• Knead until smooth.
• Divide mixture in half.
• Roll each half between your palms into a rope 2.
• 5cm thick.
• Dust with extra icing sugar.
• Refrigerate until firm.
• When firm cut into 2.
• 5cm pieces.
• Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

NUTTY NOUGAT CARAMEL BITES

Steps:

• FOR COOKIE BASE: PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees F. Line 17 x 11 x 1-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add pudding mix, eggs and vanilla extract; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in 1 1/3 cups butterscotch morsels. Spread and pat dough evenly into prepared baking pan.
• BAKE for 10 to 11 minutes or until light golden brown. Carefully hold pan 2 to 3-inches above a heat-resistant surface and allow pan to drop. (This creates a chewier cookie base.) Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
• FOR NOUGAT FILLING: MELT butter in medium, heavy-duty saucepan over medium heat. Add granulated sugar and evaporated milk; stir. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• STIR in marshmallow creme, peanut butter and vanilla extract. Add peanuts; stir well. Spread nougat mixture over cookie base. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or until set.
• FOR CARAMEL LAYER: COMBINE caramels and cream in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth. Spread caramel mixture over nougat layer. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or until set.
• FOR ICING: MELT milk chocolate morsels, 1/3 cup butterscotch morsels and peanut butter in medium, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70 percent) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Spread icing over caramel layer. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• TO SERVE, let stand at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.