Amaretto Pecans Recipes

AMARETTO BUNDT CAKE

Steps:

• MAKE THE CAKE:Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour 10-inch bundt pan. Sprinkle chopped nuts evenly over the bottom of the pan. In a large bowl, combine the cake and pudding mixes. Add the eggs, water, oil and liqueur. Beat for 5 minutes at high speed. Pour the batter over the nuts in pan. Bake 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan. MAKE THE GLAZE:Prepare the glaze while the cake is cooling in the pan. Combine the butter, water and sugar in small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the Amaretto. Invert the cake onto a serving dish. Prick the top and sides of the cake. Spoon the glaze over the top and brush onto the sides of the cake. Allow the cake to absorb the glaze; repeat until all glaze is used.

CHOCOLATE COVERED PECANS

Steps:

• Combine the chocolate chips and cream in a medium metal bowl, and set on top of a pan of simmering water. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Stir pecan halves into the chocolate until completely coated.
• Remove a few pecans at a time with a slotted spoon. Separate pecan halves and place onto a waxed paper lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set.

AMARETTO-PEACH CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place cream cheese on a serving plate. In a small bowl, combine the preserves, pecans and Amaretto; spoon over cream cheese. Serve with gingersnap cookies.

PEACH JAM WITH AMARETTO LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Inspect 5 half-pint jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until jam is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Mix peaches with lemon juice in a large pot immediately after chopping to prevent peaches from turning brown. Place pot over medium heat.
• Mix 1/4 cup of the sugar with pectin and add it to the pot with the peaches. Stir well. Slowly bring to a full rolling boil that does not stop bubbling when stirred. Add the remaining sugar and stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot, to fully dissolve the sugar. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and stir in amaretto liqueur.
• Ladle peach jam immediately into the prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any spills. Top with lids and tightly screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart. Let rest for 24 hours without moving the jars. Gently press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.

AMARETTO PECANS

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients into a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Mix the amaretto and sugar coating the pecans until all of the liquid has evaporated.
• Transfer the pecans to a cookie sheet lined with a silicone mat to cool completely.
• Store loosely covered in a dry (non-humid) location.

DRUNKEN PECANS

Steps:

• 1. Whisk together maple or Karo syrup and 1 cup of your brown sugar and cinnamon in a large sauce pan. Add the bourbon or Amaretto and the vanilla or almond extract. The alcohol will cook out and just leave the flavor.
• 2. Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Add the pecans or whatever kind of nuts you prefer.
• 3. Keep stirring over med heat until the pecans are coated in the sugar mixture.
• 4. Continue to cook, stirring frequently until the liquid becomes thick and starts to solidify on your spoon. It needs to reach a high enough temperature for the sugar mixture to harden when cooled. (at least 240 degrees on candy thermometer)
• 5. Remove from heat and add the remaining cup of brown sugar to the pan, quickly toss until all the nuts are coated with the sugar. Pour out on a sprayed, foil lined cookie sheet to cool and break apart any big pieces that are clumped together.
• 6. Once they are cool they will be hard and crunchy. Technically they will keep for a few weeks in a sealed container, but they're usually gone in a few hours.

PEACH PECAN & AMARETTO PRESERVES

Steps:

• In a heavy, non-reactive saucepot combine raisins and water and let raisins soak until they plump.
• Cut peaches into halves or quarters and combine them with the plumped raisins and water.
• Add zest and heat mixture to simmering until very tender, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in orange and lemon juices and return to a boil.
• Add sugar and cook over medium heat, stirring very frequently with a flat bottom wooden spoon, until thick, about 30 minutes.
• Test Mixture: Put a spoonful on a chilled saucer and let it cool; when saucer is held on edge, the surface of the jam should wrinkle.
• Add the pecans and cook, stirring, about 5 minutes longer.
• Remove from heat and stir in the Amaretto.
• Ladle into hot, clean canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space.
• Seal with new two-piece lids according to manufacturer's directions and process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.
• Cool, label, and store.
• Best if allowed to mellow in the jars for two weeks before serving.
• Makes great holiday gifts.