Brandy Nutmeg Crescents Food

EGGNOG CARAMELS

Steps:

• Lightly spray bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on long sides; lightly spray parchment.
• Bring cream, sugar, butter, and corn syrup to a boil in a medium saucepan over high, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture reads 248 degrees on a candy thermometer, about 13 minutes.
• Remove from heat; stir in salt, brandy, and spices (it may splatter). Return to medium-high heat and cook until mixture reads 248 degrees on candy thermometer. Pour caramel into prepared baking sheet (do not scrape any browned bits off bottom of pan) and let stand, uncovered, at room temperature at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.
• Using parchment overhang, transfer caramel to a large cutting board. Trim edges, then cut into 1/2-by-2-inch pieces; wrap each piece in waxed paper or foil candy wrappers. Caramels can be stored at room temperature up to 1 month.

BRANDY NUT BRIE

Steps:

• Combine brown sugar, pecans, and brandy. Set aside.
• Score top of the cheese and place on an oven proof platter.
• Bake at 400 for 4 - 5 minutes, until cheese is softened.
• Mound sugar mixture over cheese.
• Bake 2 to 3 minutes more until sugar is melted.
• Serve with crackers.
• Note: I use my toaster oven to cook this. I have seen this recipe done up on a larger wheel of brie -- the sauce just needs to be adjusted.

BRANDY-NUTMEG CRESCENTS

Steps:

• Whisk together flour, nutmeg, and salt. In a large bowl, beat butter with 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add brandy and vanilla; beat until combined. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture, beating until just combined. Divide dough into 2 disks; wrap each in plastic and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Working with one disk at a time (keeping others refrigerated), scoop 1 tablespoon dough and roll into a 3-inch log. Gently pinch ends and curve to form crescent. Arrange 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
• Bake until edges are golden, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer cookies on sheets to wire racks; let cool5 minutes. Meanwhile, place remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar in a shallow bowl. Working in batches, toss warm cookies in confectioners' sugar, then transfer to racks and let cool completely. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days. Dust with more confectioners' sugar before serving.

AUNT GRACE'S EGGNOG

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat 4 cups milk until bubbles form around sides of pan. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk eggs and 1 cup sugar until blended. Slowly stir in hot milk; return all to saucepan., Cook over medium-low heat until slightly thickened and a thermometer reads at least 160°, 6-8 minutes, stirring constantly (do not allow to boil). Immediately transfer to a large bowl., Stir in rum, brandy, nutmeg and remaining milk. Refrigerate, covered, several hours or until cold., In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add remaining sugar; beat until soft peaks form. Fold into egg mixture. (Mixture may separate; stir before serving.) If desired, serve with cinnamon sticks and additional nutmeg.

PISTACHIO AND DRIED-APRICOT RUGELACH

Steps:

• Dough: In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter with cream cheese, granulated sugar, and salt on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add flour and beat on low until just combined. Divide dough into 3 disks; wrap each in plastic and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Filling: In a small saucepan, bring apricots, 1 1/3 cups water, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer until apricots are tender and most of liquid has been absorbed, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer apricot mixture to a food processor and pulse until smooth. Let cool completely. (You should have about 2 cups filling; if not, thin slightly with water, a teaspoon at a time.)
• Meanwhile, finely grind pistachios in food processor. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to a 10-inch circle, 1/8 inch thick. Spread evenly with 2/3 cup apricot mixture. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup ground pistachios. With a pizza wheel, cut circle into quarters, then cut each quarter in half, then in half again, so you have 16 wedges. Starting at outside edge of each wedge, roll up into a crescent shape. Arrange 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg, and sprinkle with sanding sugar and 1 tablespoon ground pistachios. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer rugelach on sheets to wire racks; let cool completely. Rugelach can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.

TRADITIONAL FRUITY AND SPICED BREAD PUDDING - WITH BRANDY!

Steps:

• First marinate the fruit & peel in the brandy - set aside.
• Tear the bread into even sized pieces and soak in the milk for about 30 minutes.
• Pre-heat oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
• Melt the butter in the microwave or a small saucepan.
• In a large roomy bowl, mix the sugar, beaten eggs, melted butter, spices, orange & lemon zest together, then add the brandy-soaked fruits & mix well again.
• Tip it all into the milk soaked bread.
• Mix it all together - and then pour into a well buttered baking dish.
• Sprinkle demerara sugar on top & add some grated nutmeg if you wish.
• Bake for 1 hour, or until the bread pudding is well puffed up, crispy and golden brown. It will sink on cooling, but that's fine!
• Cut into squares - serve warm with cream, ice-cream or custard.
• As a final flourish - you can also grate some orange zest over the cream etc!
• N.B. You can also make this with Brioche or any type of Bread product, as long as it it not too savoury.