Super Sundae Food

HOT FUDGE SUNDAE

Steps:

• Put everything except the vanilla in a pot and bring it to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Continue cooking until it looks like it is broken and separating; this will take about 30 minutes. Take it off the heat, whisk in the vanilla, and then blend it with a hand blender to smooth it out. Chill until ready to serve then heat it up.
• Pour over scoops of ice cream, topped with whipped cream, and chopped peanuts.

SUPER SUNDAE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the coffee, sugar and cocoa. Whisk in the corn syrup until all the sugar crystals are dissolved and the mixture is completely smooth. Place the chocolate and butter in a large, dry bowl set over barley simmering water. When the chocolate has melted, whisk in the coffee-cocoa mixture until smooth and blended. The sauce is best if left to ripen for a full day before serving.
• Finely chop the chocolate and put into it in a medium bowl. Add the hot coffee and gently stir with a whisk until smooth and blended. Stir in the corn syrup.
• In a small saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer, bring the water, corn syrup and 3/4 cup sugar to 246 degrees (firm ball). In the meantime, in the completely clean and dry bowl of an electric mixer, whisk the egg whites, salt and cream of tartar until creamy and foamy. Still working, sprinkle in the tablespoon of sugar and continue to whisk until the whites hold very soft peaks. With the mixer on slow, carefully drizzle in the hot syrup. Turn the mixer to high and whisk until thick, fluffy and just warm, about 7 minutes. Turn the mixer to low and whisk in the vanilla extract. Let fluff set up on a sheet pan and set aside.
• Split the vanilla bean lengthwise. Scrape out the seeds. Reserve all. Put the seeds, pod halves, milk, cream, and 1 tablespoon sugar in heavy bottomed, medium size saucepan. Bring to a scald over low heat. In the meantime, put the brown sugar, egg yolks and vanilla extract in a large bowl and whisk just to blend. While gently whisking the yolks, drizzle the hot cream mixture into them so that they are gradually warmed up. Return everything to the saucepan and cook while stirring with a wooden spoon. Make sure that you are constantly scraping the spoon across the bottom of the pan so the custard does not scorch. The custard is done when it has thickened slightly and can evenly coat the back of a spoon. Do not let the custard come to a boil. Strain the custard through a fine sieve. Press out all the liquid in the vanilla beans and nestle the container holding the custard into a large bowl of ice. Let cool, stirring occasionally. Transfer to an ice cream machine and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Put the finished ice cream in a storage container and freeze until firm.
• TO ASSEMBLE: Place ice cream in a bowl of your choice and garnish with hot chocolate sauce. Enjoy.

SALTED CARAMEL SUNDAE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread the peanuts on a sheet pan and roast for 7 minutes, until they become fragrant. Pour into a medium bowl, add the popcorn, and set aside. Line the sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Place the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium (10-inch) saute pan and mix with a fork until all the sugar is moistened. Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves--from this point on, don't stir the caramel, swirl the pan! (Don't worry if the mixture looks as though it's crystallizing.)
• Continue to cook for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes a clear golden brown, swirling the pan constantly at the end. (Be careful, the caramel is very hot!) Off the heat, quickly add the corn syrup and vanilla (it will bubble up!) and swirl the pan to combine. Working quickly (the caramel will continue to cook in the pan), add the popcorn and nut mixture plus the kosher salt and toss with two large spoons until the popcorn and nuts are completely coated.
• Pour the mixture plus any extra caramel in the pan onto the prepared sheet pan and spread the mixture out in one layer, pulling it apart with two forks. Sprinkle with the fleur de sel and set aside to cool. When it's completely cooled, carefully break into large clusters with your hands.
• To serve, pour puddles of Chocolate Sauce into shallow bowls. For each serving, place 3 small scoops of gelato on the chocolate sauce, sprinkle with some of the caramelized popcorn, and add a dollop of the Sweetened Whipped Cream in the middle. Serve immediately.
• Place the chocolate, cream, corn syrup, and coffee in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Be sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl. Heat the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Serve warm.
• Pour the cream into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat on high speed until the cream forms soft peaks.

CLASSIC HOT FUDGE SUNDAE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream, sugar, corn syrup or honey, cocoa, and salt to a simmer, whisking until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the chocolate and let cook until the chocolate melts. Stir in butter and vanilla or liquor. Let cool slightly. Contrary to its name, hot fudge is best served warm, not piping hot.
• For assembly, make the whipped cream. Using a whisk or an electric mixer, beat the cream, sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
• Pour a little fudge sauce into the bottoms of sundae dishes or bowls. Top with ice cream, then more hot fudge, then nuts if using. Cover all with whipped cream and a cherry if you like. Serve.

SUPREME BROWNIE SUNDAES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan).). Line 8-inch square pan with foil, allowing some to hang over edges of pan. Grease bottom and sides of foil with shortening or cooking spray. Make brownies as directed on box. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1 1/2 hours. Using foil to lift, remove brownies from pan, and peel foil away. Cut into 3 rows by 3 rows.
• Top each brownie with about 1/4 cup ice cream; drizzle with 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup.

HOT FUDGE AND SALTED CHOCOLATE BITS SUNDAE

Steps:

• To make the bits: Line a pie plate with plastic wrap. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or on low power in a microwave. Add the salt, stir to blend and then, using a spatula, spread the chocolate on the plastic, making a layer that's 1/8-inch thick (shape doesn't matter). Press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface and freeze for at least 45 minutes. When you're ready to make the sundaes, chop the chocolate into bite-size bits.
• To make the sauce: Put the chocolate, cream, corn syrup and sugar in a medium pan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the chocolate melts and comes to a light simmer, about 5 minutes. Still stirring, let it burble for a minute or two, then scrape it into a heatproof container. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate until needed.
• To make the sundaes: If necessary, warm the fudge sauce in a double boiler, or microwave on low. For each sundae, sprinkle some salted chocolate bits and almonds in the bottom of a bowl, snifter or sundae glass. Top with a scoop or two of coffee ice cream, some hot fudge sauce, almonds and bits. Finish with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream, fudge sauce, whipped cream, almonds and chocolate bits. Serve immediately with a long spoon.