CONTEST CANDY: Cranberry Chocolate Candy

CRANBERRY CHOCOLATE CANDY
An original recipe by BumbleBeeBoogie

1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries*
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1 6-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 6-ounce can (2/3 cup) evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup raw walnuts or almonds, chopped

In saucepan over high heat, combine the cranberries, sugar, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil; simmer for 3 minutes, or until the cranberries are tender but hold their shape. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of the syrup.

*If cranberries are out of season, you may use canned whole cranberry sauce, heated, omitting the 1/2 cup of sugar.

Melt the chocolate in a bowl in a microwave oven; add the milk stirring until smooth. Add the vanilla. Stir in the cranberry mixture, graham cracker crumbs, marshmallows, nuts, and the reserved syrup.

Spoon and spread the mixture into a buttered 9 x 9x 2-inch baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until firm. Cut into squares.