Caramel Nut Slices Food

CARAMEL NUT LOG

Steps:

• Microwave 1/2 cup butter and marshmallow creme in large microwave-safe bowl on HIGH, stirring once, until melted (1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes).
• Stir until well mixed.
• Stir in 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar; mix well.
• Place onto surface lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar; knead in up to 1/2 cup additional powdered sugar with hands until mixture is firm and no longer shiny.
• Divide mixture into 6 equal parts.
• Shape each into 5x1-inch log; wrap in plastic food wrap.
• Freeze until firm (at least 2 hours or overnight).
• Line another baking sheet with waxed paper.
• Set aside.
• Place chopped nuts on another sheet of waxed paper.
• Set aside.
• Place caramels, 2 tablespoons butter and half& half in 2-quart saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until caramels are melted and smooth.
• Reduce heat to low to keep caramel mixture warm.
• Remove logs from freezer; unwrap.
• Dip 1 log into warm caramel mixture with tongs or two-pronged meat fork.
• Turn to coat; allow excess caramel mixture to drip back into pan.
• Place caramel-coated log on nut-covered waxed paper.
• Lifting waxed paper, roll log to coat with nuts.
• (Use hands to press nuts into log, if necessary.) Set log onto waxed paper-lined baking sheet to cool.
• Repeat with remaining logs.
• Refrigerate 1 hour; wrap each log in plastic food wrap.
• Store refrigerated.
• To serve, cut each log into 12 slices; place each into foil candy cup.

CARAMEL SLICES

Steps:

• Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and nutmeg in a bowl and set aside.
• Beat together in a large bowl the melted shortening and the brown sugar. Beat in the eggs, then the vanilla extract. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
• Shape dough into a log measuring 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap log in waxed paper or foil and chill for 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly grease 2 baking sheets.
• Slice log into slices 1/4 inch thick. Place slices 1 inch apart on the baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly colored. Cool on wire racks.

REFRIGERATOR CARAMEL NUT SLICES

Steps:

• Cream shortening and sugar.
• Add eggs and sour cream.
• Add sifted dry ingredients.
• Add nuts.
• Mix together.
• Shape into 2 inch rolls.
• Chill overnight.
• Slice 1/8 inch thick .
• Bake at 400 degrees on an ungreased baking sheet for 8 minutes or until golden.

CARAMEL NUT SLICES

Steps:

• 1. Mix well the shortening, butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and mix well.
• 2. Add flour and Baking soda. Mix well. Stir in nuts.
• 3. Shape into rolls, 2 inch across. Chill for 3 - 4 hours.
• 4. Heat oven to 350º. I used fishing line to slice the dough into 1/8" thick slices.
• 5. Bake 8 - 10 minutes on uncreased cookie sheet.

CARAMEL-NUT TART WITH MILK CHOCOLATE AND COGNAC CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Line the tart pan with the pâte sucrée according to page 196. Prick the bottom with a fork and line it with a few open and fanned out coffee filters or a piece of parchment paper. Fill the lined tart shell with beans or pie weights, and bake 15 minutes, until set. Take the tart out of the oven, and carefully lift out the paper and beans. Return the tart to the oven, and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, until the crust is an even golden brown. Set the tart on a rack to cool completely.
• Spread the nuts on a baking sheet (keep each type separate) and toast 8 to 12 minutes, until they're golden brown and smell nutty. Some will toast more quickly than others, so watch them carefully and remove the toasted nuts as needed.
• Place the sugar and 1 cup water in a very clean medium-sized heavy-bottomed saucepan. Over medium-high heat, cook the sugar, shaking the pan often to stir-don't use a utensil to stir, as it could cause the sugar to crystallize. Continue cooking and swirling the pan until the caramel is a deep golden brown, just beyond the soft-crack stage (about 310°F on a candy thermometer). It should be a nice dark color, but not burned.
• Remove from the heat, and slowly whisk in 2/3 cup cream, stirring with the whisk the entire time, until the caramel is smooth and the cream is fully incorporated. (Be aware that the caramel will foam up as you add the cream. It's very hot, so be careful and pour slowly.) Allow to cool a few minutes. Place the nuts and honey in a bowl. Pour the caramel over them, and stir to combine well. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pour the mixture into the baked tart shell, to just below the rim. It's important not to overfill the crust. Refrigerate the tart at least 2 hours.
• Melt the milk chocolate in a small saucepan over very low heat, and stir in 1/3 cup water. Just before serving, whip 1 cup cream and the cognac to soft peaks in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
• Slice the tart in half, and cut one half into twelve thin slices. Refrigerate the rest for leftover snacking. Place one slice at the center of each of six plates. Prop up a second slice on top of the first, setting it at an angle and letting the pointed end of the slice rest on the plate. Continue with the remaining slices. Garnish each with three dollops of the cognac cream, and drizzle the milk chocolate across the tart.
• Note
• The tricky part to this dessert is making the caramel filling. If it cooks too long, it will taste bitter; and if it doesn't cook long enough, it won't achieve that chewy consistency.