Caramelized Tropical Sundae Food

SALTED CARAMEL SUNDAE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread the peanuts on a sheet pan and roast for 7 minutes, until they become fragrant. Pour into a medium bowl, add the popcorn, and set aside. Line the sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Place the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium (10-inch) saute pan and mix with a fork until all the sugar is moistened. Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves--from this point on, don't stir the caramel, swirl the pan! (Don't worry if the mixture looks as though it's crystallizing.)
• Continue to cook for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes a clear golden brown, swirling the pan constantly at the end. (Be careful, the caramel is very hot!) Off the heat, quickly add the corn syrup and vanilla (it will bubble up!) and swirl the pan to combine. Working quickly (the caramel will continue to cook in the pan), add the popcorn and nut mixture plus the kosher salt and toss with two large spoons until the popcorn and nuts are completely coated.
• Pour the mixture plus any extra caramel in the pan onto the prepared sheet pan and spread the mixture out in one layer, pulling it apart with two forks. Sprinkle with the fleur de sel and set aside to cool. When it's completely cooled, carefully break into large clusters with your hands.
• To serve, pour puddles of Chocolate Sauce into shallow bowls. For each serving, place 3 small scoops of gelato on the chocolate sauce, sprinkle with some of the caramelized popcorn, and add a dollop of the Sweetened Whipped Cream in the middle. Serve immediately.
• Place the chocolate, cream, corn syrup, and coffee in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Be sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl. Heat the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Serve warm.
• Pour the cream into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat on high speed until the cream forms soft peaks.

CARAMELIZED ANGEL FOOD CAKE SUNDAES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream and confectioner's sugar until smooth. In another bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until light and fluffy., Spread butter mixture over the top and sides of each cake slice. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil 4-6 in. from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until bubbly. Cool slightly. Serve with ice cream and sour cream mixture.

CARAMELIZED BANANA SPLIT SUNDAE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan set over low heat, cook the cream until just simmering, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chocolate, and let it sit for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat, then whisk until the chocolate and cream are fully mixed. Whisk in the cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, the corn syrup and salt. Mix well.
• Sprinkle the cut side of the bananas with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. In a nonstick skillet, melt the butter and then add the bananas cut-side down. Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes, then flip and brown the other side and remove from the pan.
• Pour 1/2 cup of the chocolate sauce on each serving plate. Top each with two of the cooked banana slices, then sprinkle each plate with some of the chopped peanuts. Place 2 scoops of ice cream on top of the banana slices and sprinkle with a few more nuts to serve.

CARAMELIZED TROPICAL SUNDAE

Steps:

• In bowl, stir together brown sugar, orange juice, honey, cinnamon and ginger.
• Add pineapple and mango; toss to coat.
• Spread on foil-lined heavy baking sheet; broil on top third rack until caramelized and bubbly, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Let cool slightly.
• Spoon yogurt into each of 4 serving bowls.
• Top each with fruit mixture and almonds (if using).

CARAMEL PECAN SUNDAES

Steps:

• For the caramel, mix 1/3 cup water and the sugar in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook, without stirring, over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium and boil uncovered until the sugar turns a warm chestnut brown (about 350 degrees F on a candy thermometer), 5 to 7 minutes, gently swirling the pan to stir the mixture. Be careful; the mixture is extremely hot! Watch the mixture constantly at the end, as it will go from caramel to burnt very quickly. Turn off the heat. Stand back to avoid splattering and slowly add the cream and vanilla. The cream will bubble violently and the caramel will solidify; don't worry. Simmer over low heat, stirring constantly, until the caramel dissolves and the sauce is smooth, about 2 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature, at least 4 hours. It will thicken as it sits.
• To assemble the sundaes, place 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream and 1 scoop of butter pecan ice cream in each dish and sprinkle with toasted pecans. Drizzle with caramel sauce and serve extra sauce on the side.

TROPICAL SUNDAES

Steps:

• Place 2 scoops of ice cream in a dessert bowl. Top with some toasted coconut, nuts, whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce and some extra coconut.

CARAMELIZED BANANA SUNDAES

Steps:

• Peel and slice the bananas into 1/4 inch diagonal slices. Place cut bananas in a shallow dish and toss with lemon juice.
• Melt the butter and brown sugar in a heavy skillet and cook on medium high heat for one minute or until butter is melted. Stir in the bananas tossing to coat. When bananas are nicely glazed remove from heat.
• Place the chocolate chips and half-and-half in a microwave safe measuring cup. Microwave for 20 seconds, stir and microwave again for 10 to 20 seconds if needed. Stir until smooth. Add cinnamon Kahlua or Kahlua substitute.
• Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream in an ice cream dish, top with the warm bananas spooning any of the brown sugar glaze over each individual serving. Drizzle with chocolate sauce and sprinkle with toasted chopped walnuts. Garnish each with a maraschino cherries.

CARAMELIZED PINEAPPLE SUNDAES WITH COCONUT

Steps:

• Light a grill.
• Brush the pineapple rings with the oil.
• Grill over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until the pineapple rings are lightly charred and softened, about 8 minutes.
• Transfer the rings to a work surface to cut them into bite-size pieces.
• In a medium skillet, toast the coconut over medium heat until golden, about 2 minutes.
• Transfer the coconut to a plate to cool.
• Scoop the frozen yogurt (or ice cream) into sundae glasses or bowls.
• Top with the grilled pineapple, sprinkle with the toasted coconut, and garnish with mint sprigs (if using) and serve right away.
• Enjoy!