SALTED CARAMEL BROWNIE TOWER

Brownie recipe:
4 eggs
1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 Tablespoon (3 teaspoons) vanilla extract  
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
2 1/4 cups sugar  
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 and line 9"x13" pan with nonstick foil. In a large bowl, add 4 eggs, and beat with cocoa, salt, baking powder, and vanilla. Stir until fully combined and smooth. In the microwave, melt butter. When melted, add sugar, and stir to combine. Add warm butter/sugar mixture to the egg/cocoa mixture, stiring until smooth. Add the flour to batter and stir until fully incorporated. Spread batter into prepared pan, and smooth as needed. Bake brownies about 30 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick.  You should find moist crumbs. Cool and cut into small bite sized squares. Adapted from King Arthur Flour

BEST SALTED CARAMEL RECIPE-

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1 2/3 cups heavy cream (WARM IT IN THE MICROWAVE FIRST)
2 Tbsp salted butter
3/4 tsp coarse sea salt

Method to make the caramel sauce:

1. Spread the sugar in an even layer in a large metal pot, at least 6 quarts. Set over a moderate heat and cook without stirring, until the sugar near the edge just starts to liquify.

2. Use a wooden spoon and begin stirring, encouraging the melted sugar around the edges toward the center, delicately stirring up any sugar melting on the bottom as well. The sugar will start to look pebbly as it cooks, but keep going until it is melted completely and an amber color. If you think it is cooking too fast, lower the heat and keep stirring. Be patient.

3. Continue to cook until the sugar turns deep brown. Once brown, take it off of the heat!!!!

4. Time to add the cream but here is my trick....only add a DROP at a time and stir, stir, stir.  This will eliminate the seizing of your caramel and you will love me for this trick. Keep adding a drop at a time and stirring until all of the cream is mixed in.  Be patient...you have a lot of cream so this will take a few minutes.  Once smooth, add butter and salt. Let cool. Will store in fridge up to one month. HA! As if it will last that long...ever!!!! TOO delicious!! Makes 2 cups

ADAPTED FROM MANU'S MENU

THE ONLY SALTED CARAMEL RECIPE YOU'LL EVER NEED!!!

BEST SALTED CARAMEL RECIPE-

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1 2/3 cups heavy cream (WARM IT IN THE MICROWAVE FIRST)
2 Tbsp salted butter
3/4 tsp coarse sea salt

Method to make the caramel sauce:

1. Spread the sugar in an even layer in a large metal pot, at least 6 quarts. Set over a moderate heat and cook without stirring, until the sugar near the edge just starts to liquify.

2. Use a wooden spoon and begin stirring, encouraging the melted sugar around the edges toward the center, delicately stirring up any sugar melting on the bottom as well. The sugar will start to look pebbly as it cooks, but keep going until it is melted completely and an amber color. If you think it is cooking too fast, lower the heat and keep stirring. Be patient.

3. Continue to cook until the sugar turns deep brown. Once brown, take it off of the heat!!!!

4. Time to add the cream but here is my trick....only add a DROP at a time and stir, stir, stir.  This will eliminate the seizing of your caramel and you will love me for this trick. Keep adding a drop at a time and stirring until all of the cream is mixed in.  Be patient...you have a lot of cream so this will take a few minutes.  Once smooth, add butter and salt. Let cool. Will store in fridge up to one month. HA! As if it will last that long...ever!!!! TOO delicious!! Makes 2 cups

CHOCOLATE GLAZED, SALTED CARAMEL & CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE TART

RECIPE:

STEP ONE:  Cookie dough-either use 1 1b, 6 ounces of Pillsbury or make this recipe:

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
6 Tablespoons soft butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup regular sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 egg

1 cup mini semisweet chips

Cream butter and sugars.  Add egg and vanilla until creamy.  Add dry ingredients and fold in chips.

Press cookie dough into a 13 inch rectangular tart pan (click to see the one I used) lining the bottom and up the sides.  Try to make the bottom slightly thinner although it will still puff up in the oven.  Don't worry, we will flatten it later.  Freeze it for 10 mins.  Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes but check it at 20.  You want it nicely browned.  As soon as you remove it from the oven, press the bottom flat with the back of a spoon to create room for the caramel later.  Cool completely before adding caramel.  I have been known to speed this part up in the freezer.

STEP 2:  Pour 1/2 cup salted Caramel into the center of the tart and chill again until firm.  Homemade recipe follows:

BEST SALTED CARAMEL RECIPE-(This can be made a day ahead of time and makes 2 cups-save rest for another use!)
Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1 2/3 cups heavy cream (WARM IT IN THE MICROWAVE FIRST)
2 Tbsp salted butter
3/4 tsp coarse sea salt

Method to make the caramel sauce:

1. Spread the sugar in an even layer in a large metal pot, at least 6 quarts. Set over a moderate heat and cook without stirring, until the sugar near the edge just starts to liquify.

2. Use a wooden spoon and begin stirring, encouraging the melted sugar around the edges toward the center, delicately stirring up any sugar melting on the bottom as well. The sugar will start to look pebbly as it cooks, but keep going until it is melted completely and an amber color. If you think it is cooking too fast, lower the heat and keep stirring. Be patient.

3. Continue to cook until the sugar turns deep brown. Once brown, take it off of the heat!!!!

4. Time to add the cream but here is my trick....only add a DROP at a time and stir, stir, stir.  This will eliminate the seizing of your caramel and you will love me for this trick. Keep adding a drop at a time and stirring until all of the cream is mixed in.  Be patient...you have a lot of cream so this will take a few minutes.  Once smooth, add butter and salt. Let cool. Will store in fridge up to one month. HA! As if it will last that long...ever!!!! TOO delicious!! Makes 2 cups

STEP 3:  Once the caramel is firm and cold you can pour on the chocolate glaze.  I made the recipe below but did not use it all.  Use the extra for dipping strawberries!  

Pour it over the caramel tart to fill in the empty space!  Top with fleur de sel when firm, if desired.

Chocolate Glaze: (love this glaze!!!! Cuts awesome!!!!!)
4 ounces butter
8 ounces dark chocolate chips

3 teaspoons light corn syrup

Microwave the butter and chocolate until smooth. Stir in corn syrup.  Let sit a few minutes to thicken a bit. 

THE ONLY SALTED CARAMEL RECIPE YOU'LL EVER NEED

BEST SALTED CARAMEL RECIPE-

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1 2/3 cups heavy cream (WARM IT IN THE MICROWAVE FIRST)
2 Tbsp salted butter
3/4 tsp coarse sea salt

Method to make the caramel sauce:

1. Spread the sugar in an even layer in a large metal pot, at least 6 quarts. Set over a moderate heat and cook without stirring, until the sugar near the edge just starts to liquify.

2. Use a wooden spoon and begin stirring, encouraging the melted sugar around the edges toward the center, delicately stirring up any sugar melting on the bottom as well. The sugar will start to look pebbly as it cooks, but keep going until it is melted completely and an amber color. If you think it is cooking too fast, lower the heat and keep stirring. Be patient.

3. Continue to cook until the sugar turns deep brown. Once brown, take it off of the heat!!!!

4. Time to add the cream but here is my trick....only add a DROP at a time and stir, stir, stir.  This will eliminate the seizing of your caramel and you will love me for this trick. Keep adding a drop at a time and stirring until all of the cream is mixed in.  Be patient...you have a lot of cream so this will take a few minutes.  Once smooth, add butter and salt. Let cool. Will store in fridge up to one month. HA! As if it will last that long...ever!!!! TOO delicious!! Makes 2 cups

ADAPTED FROM MANU'S MENU

BEST SALTED CARAMEL RECIPE!!!!!!

BEST SALTED CARAMEL RECIPE-

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1 2/3 cups heavy cream (WARM IT IN THE MICROWAVE FIRST)
2 Tbsp salted butter
3/4 tsp coarse sea salt

Method to make the caramel sauce:

1. Spread the sugar in an even layer in a large metal pot, at least 6 quarts. Set over a moderate heat and cook without stirring, until the sugar near the edge just starts to liquefy.

2. Use a wooden spoon and begin stirring, encouraging the melted sugar around the edges toward the center, delicately stirring up any sugar melting on the bottom as well. The sugar will start to look pebbly as it cooks, but keep going until it is melted completely and an amber color. If you think it is cooking too fast, lower the heat and keep stirring. Be patient.

3. Continue to cook until the sugar turns deep brown. Once brown, take it off of the heat!!!!

4. Time to add the cream but here is my trick....only add a DROP at a time and stir, stir, stir.  This will eliminate the seizing of your caramel and you will love me for this trick. Keep adding a drop at a time and stirring until all of the cream is mixed in.  Be patient...you have a lot of cream so this will take a few minutes.  Once smooth, add butter and salt. Let cool. Will store in fridge up to one month. HA! As if it will last that long...ever!!!! TOO delicious!! Makes 2 cups

ADAPTED FROM MANU'S MENU

QUADRUPLE LAYER PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CHEESECAKE!!!!

THE QUADRUPLE LAYER PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CHEESECAKE!!!! 2 CHEESECAKE LAYERS, 2 GF CHOCOLATE CAKE LAYERS, 2 LAYERS OF THICK HOMEMADE CARAMEL, GANACHE GLAZE, WHIPPED GANACHE FROSTING, PEANUT BUTTER TOPPING FOR DECORATION, REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS AND HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CRAFTED CURLS.... MOVE OVER CHEESECAKE FACTORY!!!!! NEED I SAY MORE????????????????????? WHAT DO U THINK???YUP! THE CAKE IS WEIGHING IN AT A WHOPPING 11.5 POUNDS!!!!!!!!!!!!
GETTING READY FOR THE FIRST SLICE!!!
OOOOOOOOH!!!! CHECK OUT THOSE LAYERS!!!!!
ARE YOU CONVINCED YET THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS??? SET ASIDE 2 DAYS MINIMUM AND GET TO WORK. USE ANY CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE OR MIX YOU LIKE.
I USED BETTER BATTER GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE MIX TO MAKE THIS A GLUTEN FREE RECIPE. THIS CAKE IS WORTH EVERY SINGLE CALORIE!!!!!!! OH YEAH, AND SERVE THIS WITH A BIG SCOOP OF HOMEMADE VANILLA ICE CREAM ON TOP!!!!

BAKE BETTER BATTER CAKES IN TWO 9 INCH PANS FOLLOWING BOX MIX.

Crustless Cheesecake portion:

30 mini peanut butter cups, CUT IN FOURTHS

2 sticks softened butter

1 cup granulated sugar

4- 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened

1- 3 oz. package cook and serve vanilla pudding

4 eggs

2 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease two 9" pans with shortening, line the pans with
parchment and then grease the parchment. Lightly flour the pans and tap out excess
over the sink.

Cream butter and sugar. Add cream cheese until smooth. Add remaining ingredients except peanut butter cups. Mix again until smooth. Fold in peanut butter cups. Divide batter evenly between 2 pans. Bake 55- 1 hour. Once out of the oven, place immediately in freezer! Cheesecake will deflate forming a nice pocket for the caramel.Turn out frozen cheesecakes and remove parchment. Reline the pan they
were in with enough parchment to hang over the sides of the pan.
Place the cheesecakes back in the pans and return to freezer.

Make the caramel
TWO -14 ounce cans of Eagle sweetened condensed milk

10 T. butter

80 KRAFT caramels

Make the caramel in 2 batches dividing above ingredients. Put 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 5 tbsp. butter and 40 caramels in a bowl. Microwave about 3 mins. until smooth-stir as you go.

Pour caramel evenly over center of frozen cheesecakes. Return cheesecake layers to freezer.

Layer cakes: chocolate, cheesecake and repeat

Frosting Recipe1 2/3 cup Nestle chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 T. light Karo corn syrup

Put chocolate chips in a bowl. Heat cream in microwave. Pour hot cream over chips and stir. Remove 2/3 cup chocolate mixture into a bowl and add corn syrup to it. Pour this over top of cake for a shiny look. Return cake to freezer.

Pour rest of the ganache into the mixer bowl and whip on high for about 8 mins. until fluffy!! Frost sides of cake with this!

Peanut Butter decorations:
2/3 c. Skippy peanut butter-creamy!
8 T. soft butter
1 c. powdered sugar
Beat pb and butter and slowly add sugar. Beat till smooth. Pipe onto cake using pastry bag or ziploc bag with cut corner.

For Chocolate curls, I melted chocolate onto a cookie sheet and scraped it up when cool using a bench scraper. You tube has great videos for technique!

ADAPTED FROM
http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2011/03/peanut-butter-cup-chocolate-cake.html

SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE & CHOCOLATES

IT'S TIME FOR THE SECRET RECIPE CLUB REVEAL AGAIN!!! FOR THE SECRET RECIPE CLUB, EVERYONE IS GIVEN THE NAME OF A BLOG (SECRETLY) AND YOU CHOOSE ONE RECIPE TO MAKE FROM THAT BLOG. THEN, EVERYONE POSTS AT THE SAME TIME ON THE SAME GIVEN DAY....TODAY!!!! IT IS FUN TO DISCOVER WHO HAD YOUR BLOG AND TO REVEAL THE ONE YOU WERE SECRETLY BAKING/COOKING FROM ALL ALONG!

WELL, THIS MONTH I HIT THE JACKPOT WHEN I RECEIVED MANU'S MENU! MANUELA HAS A BEAUTIFUL BLOG WITH SO MANY DELICIOUS AND TEMPTING RECIPES. ONCE I SAW A SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE AND CHOCOLATES....DING! DING! DING! I KNEW IT WAS CALLING MY NAME. THIS IS BY FAR ONE OF THE BEST CARAMEL SAUCES I HAVE EVER MADE. IT DOESN'T EVEN REQUIRE A CANDY THERMOMETER WHICH MAY BE APPEALING TO MANY. THE FLAVOR? OH MY!!!!!! I USED THE CARAMEL SAUCE TO MAKE SOME CARAMEL FILLED CHOCOLATES AND CARAMEL FILLED CHOCOLATE BARS TOO!!! THANKS MANUELA....I LOVE YOUR CARAMEL RECIPE!!! XO

THIS IS HOW IT LOOKED WHEN IT WAS DONE...RIGHT BEFORE I STARTED EATING IT BY THE SPOONFUL....YES-LITERALLY!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS HOW IT BEGAN-WITH A WHOLE LOT OF HOT SUGAR!!!!! HOT, HOT, HOT! POURING IT INTO MY PYREX TO COOL. I STRAINED IT, TOO! AHHHH, THE PERFECT CUP OF HAPPINESS-WAITING TO BE POURED INTO YOUR MOUTH BOWL! SO, FIRST I USED THE CARAMEL TO MAKE THESE CUTE LITTLE FILLED CHOCOLATES! CAN YOU TASTE IT?
YUP!!! 100% AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS!!!!! I PROMISE! NEXT, I MADE CARAMEL FILLED CHOCOLATE BARS! OH SO FUN!! AREN'T THEY THE CUTEST? HAD TO CRACK INTO ONE! IT'S MY JOB AS A BLOGGER. IT'S A TOUGH JOB BUT SOMEONE HAS TO DO IT! FIGURED I'D PHOTO MY WAY THROUGH AS I ATE IT. AFTERALL, DID YOU KNOW IF YOU EAT WHILE TAKING PICTURES FOR A BLOG THE CALORIES DON'T COUNT? REALLY....TRUE STORY!
AHHHH...SWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SALTED CARAMEL RECIPES-ADAPTED FROM MANU'S MENU
Salted Caramel
Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1 2/3 cups heavy cream
2 Tbsp salted butter
3/4 tsp coarse sea salt

Method to make the caramel sauce:

1. Spread the sugar in an even layer in a large metal dutch oven or casserole, at least 6 quarts. Set over a moderate heat and cook without stirring, until the sugar near the edge just starts to liquefy.

2. Use a wooden spoon begin stirring, encouraging the melted sugar around the edges toward the center, delicately stirring up any sugar melting on the bottom as well. The sugar will start to look pebbly as it cooks, but keep going until it is melted completely and an amber color.

3. Continue to cook until the sugar turns deep brown and starts to smoke. The darker you cook the sugar without burning it, the better the sauce will be. Don't let it burn.

4. Remove from the heat and quickly stir in about a quarter of the cream. The mixture will bubble up quickly, so you may wish to wear an oven mitt. Continue to whisk the cream, stirring as you go to make sure it's smooth. Stir in the butter and salt. * at this point mine had a large clump so i needed to put it back on the heat to smooth it all out. Strain into a pyrex and let cool. Will store in fridge up to one month.

**** ADDED NOTE: I JUST MADE THIS RECIPE AGAIN AND WHEN I ADDED THE CREAM IT SEIZED UP BIG TIME. I RETURNED IT TO THE HEAT AND STIRRED FOR A LONG WHILE AND IT SMOOTHED OUT AMAZINGLY, SO DON'T GIVE UP!!! NEXT TIME I WILL TRY ADDING WARM CREAM INSTEAD OF COLD!

For choc bars-melt choc and brush into molds. Chill. Add caramel and chill again. Add more choc on top and chill for the last time. Pop out of molds and enjoy!!!!!

LINKING AT SALT TREE

BISCOFF CHEESECAKE WITH HOMEMADE CARAMEL

STEP 1 -MAKE BISCOFF CRUST
Crush 20 Biscoff cookies, add 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and then mix with 4 tablespoons melted butter. Press into 9 inch springform pan and bake at 325 for 9 minutes. Cool

STEP 2-MAKE FILLING
3 eight-ounce packages of cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup + 2 tablespoons Biscoff spread
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs, room temperature
16 Biscoff cookies, broken into pieces

Directions:

1. With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and Biscoff spread on medium until light and fluffy. On low, slowly add the sugar and then the vanilla, beating until smooth and creamy. Now, add the room temperature eggs, but don't overmix! Overmixing can lead to a cracked cheesecake. Fold in the cookie pieces.

2. Pour cheesecake filling over the crust and bake for about 50 minutes - 1 hour, still at 325°F / 160°C. Don't open that oven door, especially during the first 30 minutes! At 50 minutes, check it. The middle should just jiggle a little.

3. Turn off the oven, open the oven door (not all the way), and let it cool. I ususally let mine cool in there for about two hours.

4. Take the cheesecake out of the oven, cool to room temperature, and then cool in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

adapted from Texanerin.com

For the BEST Homemade Caramel:
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (I OMITTED THIS)
1/2 teaspoon salt, kosher or sea
1. Combine the sugar, water, and the corn syrup in a large saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
2. Cover the saucepan and let it cook over medium heat for 3 minutes.
3. After 3 minutes, remove the lid, increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil.
4. Do not stir from this point on, but instead swirl the liquid around the pan so that the caramel doesn’t burn.
5. Continue to cook until the caramel turns an even amber color then remove from the heat and let stand for about 30 seconds.
6. *** Be careful here *** Pour the heavy cream into the mixture. The mixture will bubble up significantly and is very hot.
7. Stir the mixture, again being careful. Add the butter, lemon juice (IF USING), and salt. Stir until combined.

8. Measure 1/2 cup into a Pyrex measuring cup. Stirring occasionally, allow to cool until thick like molasses and warm to the touch, about 20 minutes.

HAPPY WONKA WEDNESDAY......CARAMEL APPLES ANYONE?

BEST CARAMEL RECIPE IN THE WORLD. TRUST ME, YOU NEEEEEEEEEED THIS APPLE IN YOUR LIFE!!!!!

WASH APPLES AND INSERT STICKS, SET ASIDE AND MAKE BEST CARAMEL OF YOUR LIFE.....

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (I OMITTED THIS)
1/2 teaspoon salt, kosher or sea

1. Combine the sugar, water, and the corn syrup in a large saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
2. Cover the saucepan and let it cook over medium heat for 3 minutes.
3. After 3 minutes, remove the lid, increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil.
4. Do not stir from this point on, but instead swirl the liquid around the pan so that the caramel doesn’t burn.
5. Continue to cook until the caramel turns an even amber color then remove from the heat and let stand for about 30 seconds.
6. *** Be careful here *** Pour the heavy cream into the mixture. The mixture will bubble up significantly and is very hot.
7. Stir the mixture, again being careful. Add the butter, lemon juice (IF USING), and salt. Stir until combined.

8. Stirring occasionally, allow to cool until thick like molasses. If you dip too soon the caramel will slide off the apple. Dip apples & roll in toffee bits!!!!!!!

RECIPE FROM

AROUND THE TABLE AT BLACKBERRY FARM