Fantasy Chocolate Caramel Delights Food

FANTASY CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL DELIGHTS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar.
• Separate egg, reserve white for later use add yolk to creamed mixture.
• Add milk and vanilla to creamed mixture, mixing well after each addition.
• In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients and whisk to combine.
• Combine creamed and dry mixtures with electric mixer; beat until well combined.
• Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours or until dough is easy to work with.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a small sauce pan melt caramels into whipping cream over low heat.
• Stir until mixture is smooth; set aside.
• Slightly beat reserved egg white.
• Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
• Roll balls in egg white then in pecans.
• Place balls one inch apart on cookie sheet sprayed with vegetable oil spray.
• Using your thumb, make an indentation in each cookie.
• Bake for 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are firm.
• Spoon caramel into indentation.
• Move cookies to wire racks to cool.
• Melt chocolate chips and shortening; cool mixture slightly then place in a zip top bag.
• When all cookies have been filled, clip tiny corner off of bag and drizzle chocolate over cookies.
• Let cookies stand until chocolate and caramel are set.
• Prep time does not include chilling time.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk, milk and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour or until easy to handle., Preheat oven to 350°. Shape dough into 1-in. balls. In a shallow bowl, beat egg white. Place pecans in a separate shallow bowl. Dip balls in egg white, then in pecans, patting to help pecans adhere., Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Press a deep indentation in center of each with the end of a wooden spoon handle. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool., In a large heavy saucepan, melt caramels with cream over low heat; stir until smooth. Fill each cookie with about 1/2 teaspoon caramel mixture. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies; let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.

CARAMEL MARSHMALLOW DELIGHTS

Steps:

• Place cereal in a shallow bowl; set aside. In a double boiler or metal bowl over simmering water, combine the milk, butter and caramels, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat. , With a fork, quickly dip marshmallows into hot mixture; allow excess to drip off. Roll in cereal. Place on a foil-lined pan; chill for 30 minutes. Remove from the pan and refrigerate in an airtight container.

DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE CARAMELS

Steps:

• Spray an 11 3/4-by-16 1/4-inch baking pan with vegetable-oil spray. Set aside in a spot where it will not be moved. In a heavy 4-quart saucepan, combine 2 cups cream, corn syrup, sugar, and salt. Clip on candy thermometer. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, 15 to 20 minutes. Wash down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to remove any sugar crystals.
• Cook, stirring constantly, until temperature reaches 220 degrees, 6 to 8 minutes; watch so mixture doesn't boil over. Continue stirring, and add chocolate and butter; keep mixture boiling, and slowly add remaining 2 cups cream. Cook, still stirring, until temperature reaches 240 degrees (soft-ball stage), about 60 minutes, keeping mixture at a low boil.
• Without scraping pot, pour mixture into prepared pan. Let stand uncovered at room temperature for 24 hours without moving.
• To cut, spray a cutting board with vegetable-oil spray. Unmold caramel onto sprayed surface. Using a large knife, cut into 1-by-1 1/4-inch pieces or other shapes. Wrap each piece in cellophane or waxed paper.