Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Pudding Food

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL-PECAN PRETZEL BITES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Put the pecan halves on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake, shaking the sheet once halfway through, until lightly toasted, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer the nuts to a plate to cool.
• Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Arrange the pretzels neatly on the baking sheet, then top each pretzel with an unwrapped caramel. Bake until the caramels soften (but are definitely not melting), 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and gently press a pecan half onto each caramel, just enough for the caramel to fill the pretzel. Set aside to cool completely.
• Remove the cooled pretzel/caramels from the baking sheet. Spoon 24 small dollops (1 1/2-teaspoon helpings) of the melted chocolate all over the baking sheet, then lightly drop a pretzel onto the middle of each dollop, making sure the pretzel is centered. Allow them to cool completely before serving (you can hasten this along in the fridge).

SALTED CARAMEL PRETZEL BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• For the bread pudding: Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish.
• Scatter the bread cubes on a baking sheet. Drizzle with the melted butter and toss to coat. Bake, stirring halfway through, until the bread is golden brown and crunchy, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, follow the package directions for microwaving and salting the pretzels (don't use all the salt). Quarter each pretzel.
• Whisk together the milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, whole eggs and yolks in a medium bowl.
• Scatter the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Top with the pretzel pieces (turning some over to show off the nicely browned bottoms) and then nestle in the caramel candy halves. Pour the custard over the mixture. Cover with foil and set aside at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Bake until the bread pudding is set with a slight jiggle in the center, 45 to 55 minutes. Let rest for at least 15 minutes before serving.
• For the caramel sauce: Meanwhile, combine the caramels, butter and cream in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, stirring halfway through, until the caramels and butter melt together, about 2 minutes. Whisk until smooth and thick. (The caramel sauce can be made ahead of time and then reheated to loosen up for serving.)
• Drizzle the bread pudding with the caramel sauce and sprinkle with some pretzel salt before serving.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PRETZELS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange pretzels evenly on the baking sheet.
• Unwrap caramel candies and cut in half. Place one half of a caramel candy on top of each pretzel. Place in the oven to bake for 3-5 minutes. The caramel won't be fully melted, but thats okay.
• While the pretzels and caramel cool, melt the chocolates separately in the microwave or over a double boiler. If using the microwave, melt gently in 30 second increments.
• Dip pretzel with melted caramel into the chocolates alternating between the white chocolate and milk chocolate. While the chocolate is still warm, add sprinkles to the chocolate caramel pretzel bites

CARAMEL SAUCE FOR CHOCOLATE PUDDING CAKES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat sugar over medium-high until melted and brown at edges, 3 minutes. With a heat-resistant spatula, pull melted sugar toward center until all sugar is melted and caramel is deep amber in color, 3 minutes more.
• Immediately whisk in butter, salt, and vanilla extract (take care as mixture is extremely hot and will bubble).
• Whisk in cream.
• Pour into a heatproof container and let cool. (To store, refrigerate, up to 3 weeks.)

CARAMEL PUDDING

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, scald milk. Meanwhile, in a bowl, beat eggs until creamy. Add sugars, flour and 1-1/2 cups of the scaled milk; slowly pour into saucepan with remaining milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until pudding thickens, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat; add vanilla and butter. Stir well. Continue to stir pudding every 10 minutes until cooled.