Tag: EASY

EASY CHOCOLATE NUT CLUSTERS – Butter with a Side of Bread by Gordon Ramsay

Chocolate Nut clusters are a fun & simple holiday treat! Salted Nuts covered in rich chocolate cooled & set into perfect candy clusters for gift trays!

These super easy, bake-free little treats are the perfect addition to any Holiday Party or gift tray. Use them in your next cookie exchange or simply dress them up in a gift box and deliver to family and friends for the holidays. Everyone will enjoy the thoughtful gesture and these delicious chocolate clusters.

What Are Chocolate Nut Clusters?

They’re exactly that! A handful of mixed nuts tossed together in melted chocolate and then scooped into little mounds to harden. Tasty chocolate covered mixed nuts are a fun way to enjoy a salty and sweet treat.

Nut Cluster Ingredients

Chocolate Chips: You want to use 1 package of milk chocolate chips, but other chocolate varieties can be used for a change of flavor.

Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate: This is the bar of chocolate in the baking aisle, not the baking cocoa. You want 4 ounces (about half a bar) to help deepen the chocolate flavors.

Oil: Using 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or even shortening will help to melt the chocolate down so that it’s nice and creamy.

Mixed nuts: Use your own selection of your favorite nuts, salted or unsalted to get a treat you know you’ll like! You’ll need two cups worth!

How to Make Chocolate Salted Nut Clusters using a Double Boiler

Make a double boiler for melting the chocolate by taking a saucepan and bringing 2 quarts of water to a boil, reduce to a simmer. Place a glass bowl of the same size or slightly smaller inside the simmering water. No water should be in the bowl- it just sits on top of the boiling water.

Place the milk chocolate chips and the baking chocolate inside the waterless pot and stir until melted.

Add in the 2 cups of mixed nuts and stir until completely coated.

NOTE: If your stove has a “Melt” setting- skip the double broiler and just add chocolate to a medium sized saucepan instead. (NO WATER NEEDED!)

Scoop the chocolate nut mixture using medium sized spoons onto parchment lined cookie sheets.

Place the cookie sheets inside of your fridge until the chocolate has set. Enjoy!

How to Make Chocolate Nut Clusters using a Microwave

Place all of the chocolate in a medium sized glass or ceramic bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute 30 seconds. Let sit 3-4 minutes, in the microwave. Stir gently. Add time in 30 second intervals, letting chocolate sit for 2-3 minutes after each warming segment before stirring.

Once chocolate is completely melted, add in the 2 cups of mixed nuts and stir until completely coated.

Scoop the chocolate nut mixture using medium sized spoons onto parchment lined cookie sheets.

Place the cookie sheets inside of your fridge until the chocolate has set. Enjoy!

Chocolate Mixed Nut Clusters

Chocolate Nut clusters are a fun & simple holiday treat! Salted Nuts covered in rich chocolate cooled & set into perfect candy clusters for gift trays!

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Course: Candy, Chocolate

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Mixed Nut Clusters

Servings: 20

Calories: 206kcal

Ingredients

12 oz milk chocolate chips
4 oz semi sweet baking chocolate
1 tsp coconut oil or shortening
2 cups mixed nuts salted

Instructions

How to Make Chocolate Mixed Nut Clusters using a Double Boiler

Make a double boiler for melting the chocolate by taking a saucepan and bringing 2 quarts of water to a boil, reduce to a simmer. Place a glass bowl of the same size or slightly smaller inside the simmering water. No water should be in the bowl- it just sits on top of the boiling water.
Place the milk chocolate chips and the baking chocolate inside the waterless pot and stir until melted.Add in the 2 cups of mixed nuts and stir until completely coated.
NOTE: If your stove has a “Melt” setting- skip the double broiler and just add chocolate to a medium sized saucepan instead. (NO WATER NEEDED!)
Scoop the chocolate nut mixture using medium sized spoons onto parchment lined cookie sheets. Place the cookie sheets inside of your fridge until the chocolate has set. Enjoy!

How to Make Chocolate Nut Clusters using a Microwave

Place all of the chocolate in a medium sized glass or ceramic bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute 30 seconds. Let sit 3-4 minutes, in the microwave. Stir gently. Add time in 30 second intervals, letting chocolate sit for 2-3 minutes after each warming segment before stirring. Once chocolate is completely melted, add in the 2 cups of mixed nuts and stir until completely coated.Scoop the chocolate nut mixture using medium sized spoons onto parchment lined cookie sheets.Place the cookie sheets inside of your fridge until the chocolate has set. Enjoy!
Once chocolate is completely melted, add in the 2 cups of mixed nuts and stir until completely coated.
Scoop the chocolate nut mixture using medium sized spoons onto parchment lined cookie sheets.Place the cookie sheets inside of your fridge until the chocolate has set. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Can I use peanuts instead of mixed nuts?

Yes, if you don’t want to use mixed nuts or you happen to have peanuts on hand then they can be used. Peanut chocolate clusters taste delicious!

How to store chocolate covered nuts

These nuts will do best if kept stored inside of an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. While they can survive at room temperature as well, they are best tasting when cold. Plus side, you don’t have to worry about chocolate melting either!

Chocolate Nut clusters are a fun & simple holiday treat! Salted Nuts covered in rich chocolate cooled & set into perfect candy clusters for gift trays!

Chocolate mixed nut clusters are a fun & simple holiday treat! Salted Nuts covered in rich chocolate cooled & set into perfect candy clusters for gift trays!

Caramel Banana Pie AKA Easy Banoffee Pie by Gordon Ramsay

This Caramel Banana Pie is my southern version of a Banoffee Pie. There is just one ingredient different but the decadence and texture are very much the same.

What’s the difference between Caramel Banana Pie and Banoffee Pie?

Just a little. Banoffee pie came from England. It’s a traditional British dessert that is prepared with bananas, cream and toffee but in our Southern version we are using caramel.

One of the Easiest Pie Recipes You Will EVER Make

The Caramel Banana Pie (Southern Plate Banoffee Pie) is SUPER easy to make compared to traditional versions but every bit as decadent and rich. What’s even better is that this recipe takes less than five minutes to put together, rather than the hour+ of prep time most recipes call for

Caramel Banana Pie

Ingredients you’ll need for Caramel Banana Pie our Southern Plate version of Banoffee Pie are:

Bananas,
A graham crust, Whipped cream
And some good old *Dulce De Leche

What is Dulce De Leche?

Dulce De Leche is caramel made from sweetened condensed milk. It gives this recipe a caramelly toffee like taste.

Can I make Dulce De Leche for this Caramel Banana Pie?

Yes. Most people start with sweetened condensed milk and make it into caramel themselves by putting it in a water bath i.e. preheat oven to 425

Place sweetened condensed milk in a oven safe deep dish pie plate or the equivalent.

Cover with tin foil

Place in a larger pan where you add water to create a water bath around the deep dish pie pan of sweetened condensed milk.

Bake in oven for 1-2 hours. The longer you bake the darker the caramel like dulce de leche will be.

Me? My life is complicated enough and I know there is more than one way to crack an egg;) I go to the grocery store and look in the Mexican foods section and buy that stuff already in a can. Nestle has already done the work for me and who am I not to accept their kindness 😃

Besides, I could write sonnets about the quality and richness of this caramel.

Where can I find the Dulce de Leche?

To find this lovely caramel concoction for the caramel banana pie you may have to look at a grocery store or two to find it but once you know who sells it around you, you’ll always know where to go. Most stores have it with their Mexican foods, right next to the sweetened condensed milk that cost as much as $1 less than the same stuff on the baking aisle. Some stores (like my local Kroger) actually have it right next to the sweetened condensed milk on the baking aisle. Either way, be on the lookout for this because it is well worth the trouble.

Now let’s get this show on the road…

Open caramel and spread it into a graham crust.

Ain’t that purty?

Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour, or until it is somewhat firm.

Note: Most Banoffee pie recipes call for topping your pie with sliced bananas and whipped cream at this point but unless you have enough people to eat that pie in one sitting, I suggest cutting the bananas and topping each individual slice just before serving to keep the pie fresh longer.

When ready to serve, slice bananas. This is a great job for little helpers.

Step away from life for a moment and take a bite of decadence.

Caramel Banana Pie or Southern Plate’s version of Banoffee Pie. Call it what you want, I call it delicious!

Ingredients

2-12 ounce cans Dulce De Leche*
1 regular size graham cracker crust
fresh bananas 2-4
Whipped Topping

Instructions

Open cans and spread caramel into bottom of graham crust. Cover and refrigerate at least an hour.
Cut into slices and top each slice with sliced bananas and whipped cream just before serving. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

*This is commonly found in the Mexican section at grocery stores but sometimes on the baking aisle next to the sweetened condensed milk. You may have to look at a store or two until you find out who carries it in your area.

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EASY PUMPKIN MOUSSE – Butter with a Side of Bread by Gordon Ramsay

Easy Pumpkin Mousse is an easy no-bake dessert made in just a few minutes with 5 ingredients. Garnish this simple pumpkin fluff recipe with gingersnaps for a delicious fall treat!

Need a really fast dessert? Like 5 minutes fast? One that the whole family will love? We’ve got you covered! Pumpkin Mousse can be whipped up super fast and can be eaten immediately or stored in the refrigerator for later. Just the right amount of pumpkin flavor and a perfect, fluffy consistency.

Make sure to have some gingersnaps on hand to add on top – the flavor complements the mousse perfectly and adds the right amount of crunch as well.

Ingredients in Easy Pumpkin Mousse

Butterscotch pudding mix (3.4 oz) -Make sure to use the instant variety. You can use vanilla instead, but the butterscotch flavor just goes so well with the pumpkin!

Milk – I usually use 2% because that’s what we keep in the refrigerator, but you can use any variety you want. Obviously, whole milk will yield a slightly thicker mousse than using skim milk, but either will work ok. You can also use a non-dairy alternative if desired.

Pumpkin – Make sure just to use plain pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie filling. Can use store-bought or homemade.

Pumpkin pie spice – I buy this pre-mixed at the store, but you can make your own. It’s a combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves and there are many recipes online if you want to mix up your own!

Cool Whip – The Cool Whip needs to be thawed before adding to the recipe. Cool Whip thaws very easily on the counter in about 30-60 minutes or in the refrigerator overnight. You can also substitute the Cool Whip with stabilized cream cheese (recipe below).

Gingersnaps (optional – for garnish on top)

How to make Pumpkin Fluff recipe

Beat pudding in cold milk until well blended. Add in pumpkin and pumpkin spice and mix until completely combined and smooth.

Fold in the Cool Whip.

Divide into individual dessert bowls (4-6). Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Garnish with gingersnaps just before serving.

Easy Pumpkin Mousse

Easy Pumpkin Mousse is an easy no-bake dessert made in just a few minutes with 5 ingredients. Garnish this simple pumpkin fluff recipe with gingersnaps for a delicious fall treat!

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Easy Pumpkin Mousse

Servings: 6

Ingredients

1 3.4 oz pkg. instant butterscotch pudding
1 1/2 cups cold milk
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 cups Cool Whip thawed
Gingersnaps optional – for garnish on top

Instructions

Beat pudding in cold milk until well blended. Add in pumpkin and pumpkin spice and mix until completely combined and smooth.
Fold in the Cool Whip.
Divide into individual dessert bowls (4-6). Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Garnish with gingersnaps just before serving.

CAN YOU REPLACE THE COOL WHIP IN PUMPKIN FLUFF?

If you can’t find Cool Whip where you live or you prefer not to use it in recipes, you can use stabilized whipped cream instead. If you just use regular whipped cream, the consistency will be too light and the cream will not hold up very well when mixed into the jello salad. It’s very simple to make your own stabilized whipped cream and it just takes a few minutes!

To make stabilized whipped cream, you will need the following ingredients:

4 ounces of cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup heavy whipping cream.

Beat the cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla until soft and smooth.
In a separate bowl, beat the whipping cream just until soft peaks form.
Add the cream cheese mixture to the whipped cream and beat until stiff peaks are formed. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

A little tip for making whipped cream faster. Use a metal bowl for whipping the cream and place the bowl in the freezer for about 30 minutes before you make the whipped cream. This will significantly decrease the amount of time that you will need to beat the whipped cream – the process will go much faster!

Easy Pumpkin Mousse is an easy no-bake dessert made in just a few minutes with 5 ingredients. Garnish this simple pumpkin fluff recipe with gingersnaps for a delicious fall treat!

Chef Gordon Ramsay Recipes

Tag: EASY

EASY CHOCOLATE NUT CLUSTERS – Butter with a Side of Bread by Gordon Ramsay

What Are Chocolate Nut Clusters?

Nut Cluster Ingredients

How to Make Chocolate Salted Nut Clusters using a Double Boiler

How to Make Chocolate Nut Clusters using a Microwave

Chocolate Mixed Nut Clusters

Ingredients

Instructions

How to Make Chocolate Mixed Nut Clusters using a Double Boiler

How to Make Chocolate Nut Clusters using a Microwave

Nutrition

Can I use peanuts instead of mixed nuts?

How to store chocolate covered nuts

Related

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Caramel Banana Pie AKA Easy Banoffee Pie by Gordon Ramsay

What’s the difference between Caramel Banana Pie and Banoffee Pie?

One of the Easiest Pie Recipes You Will EVER Make

What is Dulce De Leche?

Can I make Dulce De Leche for this Caramel Banana Pie?

Where can I find the Dulce de Leche?

Ingredients

Instructions

*This is commonly found in the Mexican section at grocery stores but sometimes on the baking aisle next to the sweetened condensed milk. You may have to look at a store or two until you find out who carries it in your area.

You may also like these recipes:

“There is NOTHING that I face today that GOD and I can’t handle TOGETHER.”

EASY PUMPKIN MOUSSE – Butter with a Side of Bread by Gordon Ramsay

Ingredients in Easy Pumpkin Mousse

How to make Pumpkin Fluff recipe

Easy Pumpkin Mousse

Ingredients

Instructions

CAN YOU REPLACE THE COOL WHIP IN PUMPKIN FLUFF?

Related

We send FREE RECIPE cards every month! Want ’em?

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