Chocolate Dipped Cherry Almond Nougat On Raspberry Shortbread With Caramelized Rice Cereal Recipes

CHERRY ALMOND SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium sized mixing bowl, cream the butter and then add powdered sugar and cream together with a hand mixer. Add maraschino cherry juice, almond extract, and vanilla and continue to mix until smooth.
• Add flour and the chopped maraschino cherries to the bowl and work the two ingredients into the butter and sugar mixture using a spatula or your hands. Take care not to over-mix. You're going for well-combined, but not beaten.
• Scoop the mixture into the middle of a piece of plastic wrap, mold into a log shape about 1½ inches in diameter, then roll up in the plastic wrap and tie off the ends. Place in the freezer for 1 hour.
• After the dough has hardened in the freezer, preheat your oven to 350ºF. Cut the dough out of the plastic wrap and cut in ⅛ inch thick slices. Place on a cookie sheet covered with parchment and bake for 11-13 minutes or until the cookies are just beginning to turn golden brown.

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CHERRY ALMOND NOUGAT ON RASPBERRY SHORTBREAD WITH CARAMELIZED RICE CEREAL

Steps:

• For the cookies: In a mixer with a paddle attachment cream the butter and powdered sugar until you reach a uniform consistency. Add the raspberry puree and raspberry powder, mix until incorporated. Add the flour and cornstarch and mix just until combined. Shape into a log, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut 1/8-inch slices from the log of dough, and bake on silicone mat until the edges begin to brown. Reserve until ready to assemble.
• For the nougat: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray, set aside. Place 6.6 ounces water, 21.9 ounces of the granulated sugar and the glucose into a very large pot. Cook until the candy thermometer reads 260 degrees F.
• While the sugar is cooking, boil the honey in a separate pot. Once the sugar mixture reaches the proper temperature, pour the honey into the syrup and continue cooking until the thermometer reads 275 degrees F. Pour the sugar mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Add the egg whites and the remaining 1.3 ounces granulated sugar while whisking on high speed. Once the mixture has cooled down, add the melted cocoa butter and continue mixing until just incorporated. Turn off the mixer, then fold in the almonds and cherries. Roll out onto the prepared baking sheet, and cool.
• For the caramelized cereal: Place 2 ounces water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and the vanilla paste in a pot and cook over medium heat. Do not stir. Once mixture reaches a golden-brown color, stir in the rice cereal and pour onto a silicone mat until cooled.
• In a double boiler, melt two-thirds of the dark chocolate. Pull from the heat. Slowly add in the remaining chocolate, and stir until it is completely melted. Your candy thermometer should read 90 degrees F. If it is too hot add more unmelted chocolate and repeat the same process. Check the temperature, once it reaches 90 degrees F, use immediately.
• To assemble: Roll a piece of nougat into a ball and place on top of a shortbread cookie. Dip in the tempered dark chocolate and top with the caramelized rice cereal. Allow the chocolate to set.