Praline Cranberry Dip

Total Time: 35 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup finely chopped almonds
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter (no substitute)
• 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• sugar cookie
• pirouette cookies
• gingerbread cookie
• pear, sliced
• apple, sliced

Recipe

• 1 line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• 2 in a heavy skillet, cook almonds, sugar and butter over medium heat until the sugar begins to melt. do not stir during this time, but shake the skillet occasionally.
• 3 when the sugar starts to melt (it will look syrupy around the edges), turn heat to low and cook until sugar and almonds are golden, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
• 4 immediately spread mixture onto the parchment paper and let cool.
• 5 break into chunks (here's where it's candy!). for the recipe, process in a food processor or place in plastic bag and pound with a rolling pin until crushed.
• 6 beat together the cheese and orange juice in a small bowl until fluffy and well blended.
• 7 stir in the crushed toffee and cranberries.
• 8 chill, covered, up to 3 days.
• 9 serve this dip with plain cookies, like sugar cookies, pirouette cookies, and gingerbread cookies, and fruits like pear and apple slices.
• 10 note: dip the pear and apple slices into lemon water so they don't turn brown.