Amish Zebra Cashew Clusters

In the depths of the town’s low-ceilinged general store, the small barrel bins of candy housed the sweet relief after a long day of school and an even longer and dreaded evening of homework. There were sour and sweet gummies, chewy taffies, and meltaway squares of fudge, but nothing was quite like the intriguingly named Amish Zebra Cashew Clusters. For the briefest moment, you could slowly savor your time between school and homework by eating one of these clusters. Maybe you’re not a child anymore, but we need some of these candies to get that feeling again.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Why these candies are called Amish Zebra Cashew Clusters is probably based on their appearance. Simple answer. Why are they Amish? Well, it’s hard to say, but the closer you get to Pennsylvania, the more you see these clusters. A mound of cashews mixed with white chocolate is garnished with stripes of chocolate, making for a palatable balance of sweet and chocolatey richness. Salted roasted cashews add the well-needed balance to the chocolate, meaning the salty-sweet combination is at peak perfection here. These clusters are perfect candies to not just eat, but also give. Amish Zebra Cashew Clusters would be great additions to a holiday cookie tin or a gift for the host or hostess of a party.

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

• Large bowl
• Microwave or double boiler
• Cookie sheets
• Parchment paper
• Spoon (for stirring and dropping clusters)

Ingredients

• 12 ounces (about 2 cups) salted roasted cashews
• 20 ounces almond bark or white chocolate
• 8 ounces milk chocolate

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper, set aside.
2. In a large bowl, melt almond bark in 25-second intervals, stirring between each 25-seconds until completely melted.
3. Fold cashews into almond bark, stirring until cashews are completely coated.
4. Using a big tablespoon, drop portions onto prepared cookie sheets. You can readjust the shapes of the clusters after they hit the parchment paper.
5. Let the cluster set up a bit, about 20 minutes.
6. Once the cashews set up, melt the milk chocolate in 20 to 25-second intervals until completely melted. Drizzle the milk chocolate over each cluster and let clusters set up completely (generally another 20 minutes) before serving or storing them in a container.

Tips for Success

• Ensure your chocolate is completely melted to avoid clumps.
• Adjust the cluster shapes quickly before they start to set.
• Using parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.

Additional Tips or Variations

• Try adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top for extra flavor.
• Use dark chocolate for the drizzle if you prefer a richer taste.
• Consider adding a dash of cinnamon to the almond bark for a hint of spice.

Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving)

• Calories: Approximately 150
• Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Protein: 3g

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I use different nuts? Yes, you can substitute cashews with almonds, pecans, or walnuts.
• How should I store these clusters? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
• Can I use dark chocolate instead? Absolutely, dark chocolate can be used if you prefer a less sweet option.

We hope you enjoy making and eating these delightful Amish Zebra Cashew Clusters. They’re perfect for sharing with friends and family or keeping as a sweet treat for yourself. Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turns out for you in the comments below. Happy cooking!