Root Beer Pudding

Name: Root Beer Pudding
Ingredients: 1 cup root beer candies (about 14 candies total)*; 2 tablespoons nonfat milk powder*; 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt; 3/4 cup whole milk; 2/3 cup root beer soda; 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 3 large egg yolks; Nonstick vegetable-oil spray; 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar; 1/4 cup glucose syrup*; 3 tablespoons water; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 7 ounces raw or roasted unsalted cashews; 1/2 teaspoon smoked or kosher salt; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 tablespoon sugar; Equipment: Commercial blender, such as a Vitamix Vita-Prep; Robot Coupe or food processor; heatproof rubber spatula; large rimmed baking sheet; nonstick baking mat, such as a Silpat; stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; 4 chilled glasses for serving