Creamy Caramel Cups With Or Without Kahlua Food

NO-CHURN SALTED CARAMEL ICE CREAM

Steps:

• If making dulce de leche, place unopened can of milk in a medium pot filled with water (can should be completely submerged); cover and let simmer 2 hours. Remove can and let cool. Open can and transfer contents to a large bowl. Stir in 1/2 tsp. salt and let cool at least 10 minutes.
• If using store-bought dulce de leche, combine with 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl.
• Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat cream in a large bowl until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Stir about 1/3 of the whipped cream into dulce de leche until just combined. Gently fold remaining whipped cream into dulce de leche mixture, then pour into 9x5" loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 6 hours.
• Sprinkle with additional salt before serving.
• Do Ahead
• Ice cream can be made 7 days ahead; cover and freeze in loaf pan.

CARAMEL CUPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine the cream cheese, butter or margarine and flour. Mix to form a dough. Pinch off 48 equal pieces and press into mini tassie pans.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool slightly. Be careful taking out of pans, they break easily.
• In the microwave on medium high heat. Melt the caramels and 1/2 cup evaporated milk. Stir until creamy. Pour into melted caramel into shells and top with frosting.
• To Make Frosting: Beat the sugar, 1/3 cup evaporated milk, shortening and vanilla until light and creamy.

CREAMY CARAMEL CUPS (WITH OR WITHOUT KAHLUA)

Steps:

• If you object to liqueur, the Kahlua can be omitted.
• By hand, mix the dough ingredients together.
• Make into small balls.
• Press into mini muffin cups and prick with a fork 4-5 times.
• Bake 350F for 12-15 minutes.
• Let cool and then remove from tins.
• Using a double boiler, melt the caramels.
• Add the evaporated milk and Kahlua, stirring well.
• Fill the tarts 1/2 full with the melted filling.
• Beat 1/2 cup margarine, 1/2 cup Crisco and 1/2 cup sugar until very smooth and fluffy.
• Add 1 small can evaporated milk and 1 T Kahula, or more to taste.
• Beat at least 10-15 minutes or until the consistancy of a light fluffy whipped topping.
• Using a pastry bag, or a strong plastic bag with the corner cut off, pipe the frosting on top of the cooled caramel filled cups.
• Sprinkle the tops with nuts or sprinkles.
• If I'm in a cookie baking frenzy, I make the dough cups one day and then fill and ice them another.
• I keep them in the freezer until it's time to put them on my trays.

CHAI ICE CREAM IN CARAMEL CUPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Soften the ice cream in a large bowl. Add the tea and spices and mix until thoroughly combined. Pack and re-freeze at least 2 hours.
• Unwrap the caramel squares and place them on the baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake until melted and softened. Place another piece of parchment on top and press the caramel into a circle. Cool another 2 minutes. Peel the caramel circles off the parchment and press into mini muffin pans to form a small cup shape. Cool completely.
• Scoop ice cream into cups and garnish with almonds.

SALT & PEPPER CARAMEL CUPS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and butter; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 4 minutes longer without stirring., Remove from heat; gradually stir in milk. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage). Remove from heat; stir in pecans and vanilla. Transfer to a large bowl; cool completely, about 1-1/2 hours (mixture will thicken upon cooling)., For cups, in a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Using a narrow pastry brush, evenly coat the inside of thirty 2-in. foil liners with chocolate. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. Repeat twice to coat three times, reheating melted chocolate as necessary., Remove chocolate cups from liners; fill each with about 2 tablespoons caramel. Drizzle tops with melted chocolate; sprinkle with salt and peppercorns.

CARAMEL TASSIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle. , Roll dough into 1-in. balls; press onto the bottom and up the sides of ungreased miniature muffin cups. Prick bottoms with a fork. Bake at 375° for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks., In a large heavy saucepan over low heat, melt caramels with milk. Remove from the heat; cool slightly. Transfer to a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of the bag. Pipe filling into pastry cups. Cool to room temperature., For frosting, in a small bowl, beat shortening and butter until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and milk until fluffy. Pipe onto filling. Store in the refrigerator.