Molasses Bourbon Butter Spread Food

BOURBON MOLASSES COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, black pepper, and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, beat together the butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. Add in the vanilla and orange zest and beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to medium-low. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add in the molasses and bourbon and beat until combined. Gradually add in the dry ingredients and beat until it's evenly incorporated.
• Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, and up to 3 days.

SWEET POTATOES GLAZED WITH MOLASSES, PECANS AND BOURBON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Combine the butter, molasses, brown sugar and cayenne in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until smooth, about 5 minutes. Increase the heat to high, add the bourbon and cook for 2 minutes to allow alcohol to burn out. Season with salt and pepper.
• Put the potatoes in a large baking dish, pour the molasses mixture over and toss to coat. Roast in the oven, stirring a few times, until the potatoes are cooked through and glazed, about 20 minutes. Remove to a platter and top with the pecans.
• Alternatively, this can be done in a large saute pan: Melt the butter, molasses, brown sugar and cayenne over medium heat. Add the bourbon and let the alcohol cook out. Add the potatoes and cook until glazed over medium-high heat. Transfer to a platter and top with the pecans.

BOURBON MOLASSES SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring sugar and 2 tablespoons water to a boil in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then wash down any sugar crystals from side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water. Boil, without stirring, swirling pan occasionally so caramel colors evenly, until caramel is dark amber. Remove from heat and stir in remaining 1/4 cup water, then stir in bourbon, butter, molasses, and salt. Return to heat and simmer, stirring, to dissolve any hardened caramel if necessary.

MOLASSES-BOURBON PECAN PIE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Pulse the flour, 2 tablespoons butter, the shortening, granulated sugar and salt in a food processor until it looks like fine meal. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and pulse until it is in pea-size pieces. Drizzle in the vinegar and 2 tablespoons cold water and pulse until the dough just comes together. Turn out onto a piece of plastic wrap; use the plastic to help form the dough into a disk. Wrap tightly and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight. (The dough can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature.)
• Roll out the dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Ease into a 9-inch pie plate, fold the overhanging dough under itself and crimp the edge with your fingers. Chill at least 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Position a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 425 degrees F. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and toast until darkened, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and return the empty baking sheet to the lower oven rack. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring with a rubber spatula, until brown flecks appear, about 8 minutes; let cool slightly. Whisk the browned butter, eggs, brown sugar, molasses, bourbon and salt in a bowl. Scatter the toasted pecans in the prepared crust; pour in the brown sugar mixture.
• Put the pie directly on the hot baking sheet in the oven and reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set, 45 to 55 minutes. (Cover the edge with foil if it is browning too quickly.) Transfer to a rack and let cool at least 1 hour before serving.

MOLASSES-BOURBON BUTTER SPREAD

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients and beat with electic mixer until smooth.
• Chill until firm.

SILVER DOLLAR BUTTERMILK-PECAN PANCAKES WITH BOURBON MOLASSES BUTTER AND MAPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Whisk together the flour, pecans, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, butter and vanilla extract and vanilla bean in a small bowl. Add the egg mixture to the dry mixture and gently mix to combine. Do not overmix. Let the batter sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes before using.
• Heat a cast iron or nonstick griddle pan over medium heat and brush with melted butter. Once the butter begins to sizzle, use 2 tablespoons of the batter for each pancake and cook until the bubbles appear on the surface and the bottom is golden brown, about 2 minutes, flip over and cook until the bottom is golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Transfer the pancakes to a platter and keep warm in a 200 degree F oven.
• Serve 6 pancakes per person, top each with some of the bourbon butter. Drizzle with warm maple syrup and dust with confectioners' sugar. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and more toasted pecans, if desired.
• Bourbon Molasses Butter:
• Combine the bourbon and sugar in a small saucepan and cook over high heat until reduced to 3 tablespoons, remove and let cool.
• Put the butter, molasses, salt and cooled bourbon mixture in a food processor and process until smooth. Scrape into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. Remove from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before using to soften.