Cranberry Cashew Clusters

Ingredients

• 1 cup puffed rice cereal
• 1 cup lightly salted cashews, coarsely chopped
• ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 10 oz. vanilla flavored candy coating, chopped
• Dash freshly grated nutmeg
• Dash ground cinnamon
• 1 oz. semisweet chocolate pieces
• 1 tsp chopped cashews

Line a baking sheet with foil. Place rice cereal in a resealable plastic bag. Using a rolling pin, crush cereal lightly. In a bowl combine the cereal, the cashews, and the cranberries.

In a medium microwave-safe bowl microwave the candy coating, nutmeg, and cinnamon (uncovered) on 100% power for 1–1½ minutes or until candy coating melts, stirring every 30 seconds. Pour melted candy coating mixture over cereal mixture; stir to thoroughly combine.

Quickly drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Let stand for about 30 minutes or until firm. In a small saucepan heat chocolate pieces and shortening over low heat until melted and smooth. Drizzle clusters with melted chocolate mixture. Sprinkle with additional finely-chopped cashews. Makes 20 clusters.