Nut Clusters

So…this recipe comes with one warning and one disclaimer.

The Warning:   Under NO circumstances should you allow children to help with this recipe. Melted sugar is hot and will burn your arm off if you get it on you. Personally, I wouldn’t even allow them in the kitchen unless they are older – like 35. It’s just not worth the risk.

The Disclaimer:  These are nice and crunchy. Not too crunchy to eat and enjoy, however, if you’ve been trying to hold off getting that $700.00 crown for that tooth that’s been giving you trouble, well…this might not be the snack for you.

There, now that I have all of the legalities out of the way, I also need to tell you that this recipe takes some patience. First a lot of patience, then a lot of speed so it doesn’t set up and turn into a mountain of nuts and sugar.

Nut Clusters

3 Cups Granulated Sugar

4 Tablespoons Dairy Free Butter

1 1/2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

1 Can of Mixed Salted Nuts

*Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

Heat the sugar in a heavy-duty saucepan over medium heat until it is melted and a dark amber color. This takes some time (at least 20 minutes) , because if you do it too quickly the sugar will burn. You are technically not supposed to stir it, but I can’t help myself because I get too worried that it will burn. This is in the beginning stages when the sugar finally begins to melt. Once it melts all the way (now the sugar is in the danger zone) and becomes a dark amber color (not too dark!), remove it from the heat and add the butter and vanilla.

It will bubble and sputter a little bit…I moved mine to the back of the stove so that it wouldn’t be a danger to anyone if something went awry.

Stir until the butter has completely melted and the vanilla is incorporated. Add the nuts.

QUICKLY pour the mixture out onto the parchment covered baking sheet. Begin to pull it apart into small clusters with spoons and set aside. Once it cooled a bit more (maybe 2 minutes into it) I tried (carefully) to separate the clusters with my fingers, it was much easier than the spoons. If there’s another adult that can help you, that would be ideal. It’s possible that some of it will harden up on you before you can get it into clusters. Allow to cool completely and store in an airtight container.