WALNUT AND CRANBERRY CANDY BITES

Steps:

• 1. Combine the water and sugar in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium high heat. Stir to dissolve sugar, and then stop stirring. Insert candy thermometer and boil to 240^, or soft ball stage.
• 2. Turn down heat and add the cranberries all at once, stirring to incorporate. The sugar will thicken around the berries and be difficult to stir, but after a minute or two it will be easier to stir.
• 3. Boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the berries have popped and the mixture looks like jam. Stir in the nuts and continue boiling, stir,until mixture is a thick paste; about 10 more minutes.
• 4. Pour mixture into a 9x13-inch pan and allow to cool at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Coat your hands in powdered sugar and roll the candy into walnut- size or smaller in powdered sugar or chopped nuts. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or so.
• 5. Note: Can form mixture around sucker stick and the dip in melted white or chocolate disks and placed on foil- chill to set chocolate.