Hazelnut Caramels Recipes

CARAMEL-DIPPED HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Gently insert pointed end of a long wooden skewer into the side of each hazelnut. Place a cutting board along the edge of a countertop; place newspaper on the floor,directly under cutting board.
• Prepare an ice-water bath. Heat sugar and the water in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and syrup is clear. Stop stirring; cook until syrup comes to a boil, washing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming. Continue to boil, gently swirling occasionally, until medium amber. Plunge pan into ice bath to stop the cooking; let stand until thickened, about 10 minutes. (To test: Dip a skewer in caramel and lift a few inches; if a thick drip slowly forms and holds a string, the caramel is ready.)
• Dip a skewered hazelnut into caramel, letting excess drip back into pan. When dripping syrup becomes a thin string, secure opposite end of skewer under cutting board. Repeat with remaining hazelnuts. (If caramel hardens before all hazelnuts have been dipped, rewarm it over low heat.) Let stand until caramel string has hardened, about 5 minutes; break each string to desired length. Carefully remove skewers. Candied hazelnuts should be used the same day; store, uncovered, at room temperature until ready to serve cupcakes.

HAZELNUT-COFFEE CARAMELS

Steps:

• Line 8-inch square pan with foil, leaving 1 inch of foil overhanging at 2 opposite sides of pan. Butter foil that lines bottom and sides of pan. Sprinkle hazelnuts in pan.
• In heavy 3-quart saucepan, heat butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, dry coffee, hazelnut syrup and milk to boiling. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, to 245°F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into cup of very cold water forms a firm ball that holds its shape until pressed. Pour into pan. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
• Remove mixture from pan, using foil edges to lift. Cut into 8 rows by 6 rows, separating caramels as they are cut. Garnish with coffee beans. Wrap pieces individually in plastic wrap or waxed paper.

HAZELNUT-CARAMEL BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides; butter parchment. In a large bowl, using a mixer, beat 1 stick butter and 1/3 cup brown sugar on medium-high until light, 1 to 2 minutes. Add flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt and beat on low until combined. Increase speed to medium and beat until clumps form. Press dough evenly into pan. Bake until golden and dry, about 20 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 325 degrees.
• In a medium saucepan, combine corn syrup, cream, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining stick butter and 2/3 cup brown sugar. Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute. Stir in nuts, then pour over crust.
• Bake until bubbling in center, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with chocolate, if desired. Let cool 1 hour. Using parchment, lift out of pan and refrigerate until set, 1 hour. Cut into 24 pieces. (Store in an airtight container, up to 2 days.)

HAZELNUT CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350°F.
• Spread the nuts out on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until toasted and fragrant. Lift the nuts off the baking sheet, leaving any nut powder behind; it will be a little bitter and won't feel right in your mouth.
• Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and drizzle in the honey. Pour the sugar into a deep skillet and sprinkle it with a tablespoon or two of cool water. Drizzle on the corn syrup, add the salt, and cook over high heat. Leave the pan alone until the sugar starts to color, then pick up the pan and swirl the sugar in it so it colors evenly. Cook until the sugar is dark amber. Remove the skillet from the heat and pour in the hot cream; this will boil up and spatter, so be careful. Return the pan to the heat and cook, rolling the caramel in the pan, until the caramel comes back to a boil and is completely smooth again.
• Pour the caramel over the chocolate and honey and leave it for about 1 minute. Then stir and fold with a heatproof rubber scraper until the chocolate has melted completely. Fold in the nuts. Taste for salt; it should be on the salty side.
• You can make the nut caramel days in advance and refrigerate it, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 2 days. Heat it up in the microwave or a double boiler before you use it.

CANDIED HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Heat sugar and water in a small saucepan over high heat, swirling, until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer, and cook, swirling occasionally, until medium amber, about 4 minutes. Add hazelnuts and salt, and stir for 1 minute to coat.
• Pour mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or a nonstick baking mat, and immediately separate nuts using 2 forks so that each stands alone on sheet. (You can also hold the pan at an angle and push each hazelnut onto sheet individually. If caramel thickens as you work, return to heat briefly.) Let cool. Break apart.