Chocolate Raisin Caramel Squares Food

CARAMEL SQUARES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3 and lightly butter a 20 x 23 cm shallow baking tin. Sift the flours together, then stir in the sugar, almonds and a pinch of salt. Rub in the butter and vanilla seeds to make fine crumbs, then tip into the tin and press down with the back of a spoon. Put in the freezer for 5 mins, then bake for 35-40 mins. Cool.
• For the caramel, put the sugar and 100ml water in a heavy-based pan, heat gently until the sugar dissolves, then turn up the heat until it turns dark amber. Stir in the cream in four additions until smooth and shiny - take care as it will bubble up. Stir in the butter and ½ tsp salt. Pour over the shortbread and cool.
• For the topping, melt the chocolate and butter over a pan of simmering water, then pour over the caramel and smooth out with the back of a spoon. Chill until firm, at least 30 mins. Cut into quarters, then 16 pieces. Will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

EASY MILLIONAIRE'S SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Lightly grease and line a 20-22cm square or rectangular baking tin with a lip of at least 3cm.
• To make the shortbread, mix 250g plain flour and 75g caster sugar in a bowl. Rub in 175g softened butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Knead the mixture together until it forms a dough, then press into the base of the prepared tin.
• Prick the shortbread lightly with a fork and bake for 20 minutes or until firm to the touch and very lightly browned. Leave to cool in the tin.
• To make the caramel, place 100g butter or margarine, 100g light muscovado sugar and the can of condensed milk in a pan and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Continually stir with a spatula to make sure no sugar sticks to the bottom of the pan. (This can leave brown specks in the caramel but won't affect the flavour.)
• Turn up the heat to medium high, stirring all the time, and bring to the boil, then lower the heat back to low and stirring continuously, for about 5-10 minutes or until the mixture has thickened slightly. Pour over the shortbread and leave to cool.
• For the topping, melt 200g plain or milk chocolate slowly in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Pour over the cold caramel and leave to set. Cut into squares or bars with a hot knife.

CARAMEL SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 °F.
• To make the base, place the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until light and fluffy.
• Mix in the cornflour and plain flour, turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly.
• Press into a greased and lined 7” x 11” shallow cake tin and bake for 25 minutes or until firm.
• To make the filling, place the butter, brown sugar and honey in a saucepan and cook over a medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar melts and the ingredients are combined.
• Bring to the boil and simmer for 7 minutes.
• Beat in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla essence.
• Pour the filling over the base and bake for 20 minutes longer.
• Set aside to cool completely.
• Spread the melted chocolate over the filling and set aside until firm, then cut into squares.
• Store at room temperature in a cookie tin or airtight container.

CARAMEL LAYER CHOCOLATE SQUARES

Steps:

• Combine caramels and half of evaporated milk. Cook over low heat, stirring often until melted and smooth.
• Grease 9x13-inch pan. Combine dry cake mix, butter and the rest of the evaporated milk and chocolate chips. Stir just until mixed.
• Press half of dough firmly in pan. Bake 6 minutes at 350°F.
• Spread caramel mixture over all.
• Top with remaining half of dough. Spread gently to cover.
• Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL SQUARES

Steps:

• Add all ingredients for crust, except butter, in a mixing bowl.
• With pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.
• Press the mixture into an 8-inch square cake pan.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 25 minutes or until just golden and firm.
• Cool in the pan.
• Place ingredients for caramel filling in saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Bring to a boil over low heat and boil very gently for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly until thickened.
• Pour the caramel filling over cookie base and allow to set.
• Melt the dark chocolate chips and spread over the caramel, allow to cool and set.
• When dark chocolate is set, melt the white chocolate and drizzle over top.
• Cut into squares and enjoy.
• DH suggested to use a pizza cutter to cut bar cookies and it works like a charm.