Caramel Pecan Bourbon Sauce Food

CARAMEL-BOURBON PECAN PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Cook caramels, water, butter and bourbon in medium saucepan on medium heat 8 min. or until caramels are completely melted and mixture is well blended. Remove from heat.
• Spread nuts onto bottom of pie crust. Whisk eggs, sugar and vanilla in medium bowl until blended. Gradually stir in caramel mixture; pour over nuts.
• Bake 40 to 45 min. or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely.
• Refrigerate 2 hours.

SALTED CARAMEL-BOURBON SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling the pan but not stirring, until dark amber, about 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in 1 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Whisk in 2 tablespoons bourbon. Let cool completely; transfer to jars and refrigerate. (Makes about 2 cups.)

CARAMEL PECAN BOURBON SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat over to 325 degrees.
• Spread pecans on a baking sheet and bake until lightly browned. This takes approximately 5-8 minutes. Watch them carefully so they don't burn. Set aside toasted pecans.
• In a large heavy sauce pan, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, heavy cream and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium low and continue cooking. Stir constantly so it doesn't burn. Cook until mixture is reduced to 3 cups. This takes about 10-15 minutes.
• Remove from heat. Stir in bourbon, vanilla and pecans. Let cool.
• NOTES: If made in advance, cover and refrigerate up to 2 weeks. To reheat in microwave use 30% power for a minute or two. For the power notation--adjust to your microwave. The goal is to bring this to a room temperature or slightly warm temperature.

PECAN BOURBON CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• In a dry heavy saucepan cook sugar over moderately low heat, stirring slowly with a fork (to help sugar melt evenly), until melted and pale golden. Cook caramel, without stirring, swirling pan, until deep golden. Remove pan from heat and carefully add cream, bourbon, lemon juice, and pecans (caramel will steam and harden). Return pan to heat and simmer sauce, stirring, until caramel is dissolved, about 5 minutes.
• Pour sauce into a bowl and cool slightly. (Sauce keeps, covered and chilled, 2 weeks.)

CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING WITH BOURBON-PECAN CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• FOR SAUCE:
• Stir sugar and water in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Mix in corn syrup and lemon juice. Increase heat and boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan occasionally. Remove from heat. Pour in cream (mixture will bubble up). Stir over low heat until caramel is melted and smooth. Increase heat; boil until sauce is reduced to 1 2/3 cups, stirring often, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in pecans and bourbon. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm before using.)
• FOR PUDDING:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine milk, cream and sugar in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to boil. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; stir until smooth. Beat eggs and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in chocolate mixture. Add bread cubes. Let stand until bread absorbs some of custard, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake until set in center, about 45 minutes. Uncover; cool at least 15 minutes.
• Serve pudding warm or at room temperature with warm sauce.