Licorice Pudding Food

LICORICE PUDDING

Steps:

• Combine licorice, salt, 4 cups milk, and 1/3 cup sugar in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan and heat over moderately low heat (do not let boil), stirring frequently, until licorice is dissolved, 18 to 20 minutes. (If licorice is not completely dissolved, let mixture stand off heat, uncovered, whisking occasionally, 10 minutes.)
• Increase heat to moderate and bring milk mixture to a bare simmer.
• Stir together cornstarch and remaining 1/2 cup milk in a small bowl.
• Whisk cornstarch mixture into licorice mixture and simmer, whisking, 2 minutes to thicken.
• Whisk together egg yolks and remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl until combined well, then add hot milk mixture in a slow stream, whisking. Return to saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until thermometer registers 170°F. Immediately pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl and stir in butter until incorporated.
• Chill pudding, its surface covered with a round of wax paper, until very cold, about 4 hours.
• Just before serving, gently whisk pudding, then divide among 6 glasses or bowls.
• Serve with almond cakes.

BLACK LICORICE PUDDING

Steps:

• Combine licorice, salt, 4 cups milk, and 1/3 cup sugar in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan and heat over moderately low heat (do not let boil), stirring frequently, until licorice is dissolved, 18 to 20 minutes. (If licorice is not completely dissolved, let mixture stand off heat, uncovered, whisking occasionally, 10 minutes.).
• Increase heat to moderate and bring milk mixture to a bare simmer.
• Stir together cornstarch and remaining 1/2 cup milk in a small bowl.
• Whisk cornstarch mixture into licorice mixture and simmer, whisking, 2 minutes to thicken.
• Whisk together egg yolks and remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl until combined well, then add hot milk mixture in a slow stream, whisking. Return to saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until thermometer registers 170°F Immediately pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl and stir in butter until incorporated.
• Chill pudding, its surface covered wax paper, until very cold, about 4 hours.
• Just before serving, gently whisk pudding, then divide among 6 glasses or bowls.

ALMOND CAKES

Steps:

• 10Special equipment: 12 (1/8-cup) barquette molds or a mini-muffin pan with 12 (1/8-cup) muffin cups preparation.
• Put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 400°F Brush molds with melted butter and lightly dust with flour, knocking out excess flour.
• Stir together flour (3 tablespoons) and salt in a small bowl.
• Beat together softened butter and granulated sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in almond paste and vanilla until combined well, then beat in egg until combined. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture, mixing until just combined.
• Divide batter among molds or muffin cups, spreading evenly, then transfer to a baking sheet (not necessary if using muffin pan).
• Bake cakes until just firm and edges are golden, about 15 minutes. Turn cakes out onto racks and cool completely, about 5 minutes. Turn cakes right side up and dust tops with confectioners sugar just before serving.
• Cooks' note: Cakes can be made 1 day ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

BUTTERFLY CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Beat pudding mix and milk in medium bowl with whisk 2 min. Stir in COOL WHIP.
• Cut tops off cupcakes; cut each top crosswise in half for the butterfly's wings. Set aside. Spoon heaping tablespoonful of the pudding mixture onto bottom half of each cupcake; top with sprinkles.
• Insert cut sides of 2 wings into each cupcake, raising outside edges slightly. Decorate with gels as desired. Insert 2 licorice pieces into each for the antennae. Keep refrigerated.

BASEBALL DESSERT

Steps:

• Beat pudding mix and milk with whisk 2 min. Let stand 5 min. or until thickened.
• Line 8-inch round pan with plastic wrap. Arrange 14 cookies on bottom of pan, cutting to fit if necessary; cover with 1 cup pudding. Repeat layers. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate 24 hours.
• Uncover dessert. Invert onto serving plate; remove plastic wrap. Frost dessert with COOL WHIP. Cut remaining cookies in half; arrange around edge of dessert. Cut licorice into 2 (8-inch) pieces and 20 (1-inch) pieces. Use licorice to decorate top of dessert to resemble a baseball.