Pecan Caramel Surprise Recipes

CARAMEL- PECAN POPCORN

Steps:

• Grease large rimmed baking sheet; mix warm popcorn with pecans on sheet. Set aside.
• In saucepan, whisk together sugar, butter and corn syrup over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high; boil, without stirring, until candy thermometer registers hard-ball stage of 255°F (124°C), or 1/2 tsp (2 mL) syrup dropped into very cold water forms rigid ball that is still a little pliable, about 4 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Stir in vanilla, salt and baking soda.
• Gradually pour over popcorn mixture, stirring gently until combined. Let cool completely. (Make-ahead: Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.).

PECAN CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Stir butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat until melted. Stir in heavy whipping cream and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat to cool slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in chopped pecans.

CARAMEL PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250°F.
• Pour pecan halves into greased 9x13" pan and place into oven for 5 minutes.
• Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat.
• Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup and cook until sugar is dissolved (this takes at least 3-4 minutes).
• Remove pecans from oven and pour into saucepan/caramel mixture.
• Stir to coat and pour back into 9x13" pan.
• Place back into oven for 45-60 minutes stirring every 15 minutes or so.
• Remove pan and spread pecans onto parchment paper or silpat (I've used wax paper but it sticks at times-if it does put in fridge and remove when cold).
• Separate pecans as they cool (2 forks work well).
• I often HALF this because I can't keep out of them!

CARAMEL PECANS

Steps:

• Line a 13-in. x 9-in. pan with foil; grease the foil with 2 teaspoons butter and set aside., In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugars, corn syrup, 1 cup cream and the remaining butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil. Slowly stir in the remaining cream. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 245° (firm-ball stage)., Remove from the heat; stir in pecans and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan (do not scrape saucepan). Let stand until firm. Using foil, lift candy out of pan. Discard foil; cut candy into 1-in. squares. Wrap individually in waxed paper; twist ends.

PECAN CARAMELS

Steps:

• Line a 13-in. x 9-in. pan with foil; grease the foil with butter. Set aside. , In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and 1 cup cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir until smooth and blended, about 10 minutes. Stir in milk and remaining cream. Bring to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage), about 25 minutes. , Remove from the heat; stir in pecans and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan (do not scrape saucepan). Cool. Using foil, lift candy out of pan; cut into 1-in. squares. Wrap individually in waxed paper.

CHOCOLATE PECAN CARAMEL CLUSTERS

Steps:

• For the caramel: Mix 2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup light corn syrup and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring just until the sugar dissolves. Cook, swirling the pan (do not stir), until the mixture is light amber and a candy thermometer registers 320 degrees, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; slowly whisk in 1/2 cup heavy cream, then 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Return to low heat and whisk until smooth.
• Stir 1 1/3 cups chopped nuts into the warm caramel; cool until the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape. Drop spoonfuls onto an oiled parchment-lined baking sheet; let set. Top with melted chocolate and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

CHOCOLATE PECAN CARAMEL PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Put 2 cups of the pecans into a food processor or blender and process until finely ground.
• Mix pecans with granulated sugar and melted butter and press into a 9-inch pie pan.
• Bake 12 minutes or until lightly browned (if this puffs up during cooking, just lightly pressed down with a spoon).
• Microwave caramels and 1/3 of the whipping cream on high 3 minutes or until the caramels are melted, stirring often.
• Pour into crust.
• Lightly chop the remaining pecans and sprinkle over the caramel mixture.
• Put the rest of the whipping cream, chocolates, powdered sugar and vanilla in a sauce pan.
• Cook over low heat stirring often until the chocolate is melted.
• Pour the chocolate mixture over the pie and spread to cover.
• Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
• Enjoy!

PECAN CARAMEL SURPRISE

Steps:

• Using a food processor, grind the pecans and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar for 20 seconds; transfer to a medium bowl.
• In the food processor, pulse the butter, remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar and the vanilla until combined, scraping the bowl once or twice. Add the flour and pulse to combine. Stir into the pecan mixture.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 325°. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll 1 tablespoon dough into a ball, press a caramel into the center, then roll to enclose the caramel. Repeat with the remaining dough and caramels; place 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake until lightly colored, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes; coat with confectioners' sugar while warm. Coat again just before serving.