Cranberry Mascarpone and Pralines

Ingredients

• 12 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter
• cut up (no substitute)
• 13 cup almonds
• finely chopped
• 1 (8 ounce) carton mascarpone cheese
• 14 cup dried cranberries
• finely chopped
• 12 teaspoon orange peel
• finely shredded
• 1 tablespoon orange liqueur (or orange juice)
• fresh strawberry
• halves

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with foil.
2. Butter the foil; set aside.
3. For pralines, cook sugar and butter in a heavy 8-inch skillet over medium heat until sugar begins to melt, shaking skillet occasionally.
4. Do not stir.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until sugar turns golden, stirring often with a wooden spoon.
6. Remove from heat; stir in nuts.
7. Immediately spread coated nuts in a thin layer on prepared baking sheet.
8. Cool; break into small pieces.
9. Meanwhile, combine mascarpone cheese, cranberries, orange peel, and liqueur or juice in a medium mixing bowl.
10. Spoon mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 inch wide open-star tip.
11. Pipe onto strawberry halves; arrange on a small plate.
12. Garnish with pieces of praline.