Brandied Caramel Sauce Recipes

PANETTONE BREAD PUDDING W/ BRANDY CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Soak raisins in the hot brandy for 15 minutes, drain. This makes the raisins less sweet. A nice touch.
• Meanwhile,heat a heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Butter panettone slices on both sides. In batches, brown both sides until golden. Set aside to cool on a wire cooling rack.
• Whisk together remaining ingredients (eggs, half & half, sugar, vanilla).
• Butter your baking dish or use nonstick spray.
• Tear toasted bread into bite sized pieces (not too small) and spread evenly into a 9x13 pan.
• Scatter the raisins over the top of the torn bread.
• Pour in egg mixture. Press the bread into the egg mixture using your hands.
• Let stand for 30 minutes, press the bread down into the egg mixture.
• Place the baking dish in the middle of the preheated oven.
• Bake until pudding is deep golden brown, crispy along the edges and just set. About 35-40 minutes.
• SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
• Serve warm or at room temperature.
• For a more rustic look, spoon into your individual serving dishes.
• Top with Brandy sauce & a dollop of whipped cream (recipe below)
• WHIP the whipping cream! No need to sweeten it. The bread and caramel sauce is plenty sweet!
• BRANDY CARAMEL SAUCE.
• Please do not walk away from the stove while making this. This takes time but once the sugar starts to darken -- it goes fast!
• DO NOT STIR at any time!
• Pour water into a heavy bottom 2 quart saucepan w/ lid.
• Pour sugar into the center of the pan, taking care NOT to let the sugar crystals adhere to the sides (they will burn).
• Cover the pan and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
• Once boiling, uncover and continue to boil until the syrup is thick and STRAW- colored (syrup should register 300F on a candy thermometer if using), about 7 minutes. *I did not use a candy thermometer, I just watched the color carefully. Do not take your eyes off the syrup!
• Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook until syrup is a deep AMBER color (temperature should register 350F), about 1-2 minutes.
• Meanwhile bring the cream and salt to a simmer over high heat (bubbles around the edges of the pot, warmed just enough to take to chill of the cream). If the cream boils before the sugar reaches a dark amber color, pull off the burner and cover to keep warm. *covering is important so a skin does not form over the cream. You can use plastic wrap. Just place the plastic wrap it over the cream.
• NO STIRRING necessary!
• Remove the sugar syrup from the heat; VERY CAREFULLY pour 1/4 of the hot cream into the sugar mixture. *(It will bubble vigorously & may spatter). Let the bubbling subside.
• Add remaining cream, vanilla, lemon juice and brandy/whiskey; WHISK until smooth.
• Cool to desired temperature, it will thicken as it cools.
• Drizzle over bread pudding.

BRANDY-CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring whipping cream to a light boil in a large saucepan over medium heat; stirring occasionally. Add sugar and cook; stirring occasionally, 4-5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in butter, brandy, and vanilla. Let cool for 10 minutes.
• Store in airtight container in refrigerator. To reheat, let stand to room temperature for 30 minutes. Place mixture in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on HIGH for 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds.

TARTE TATIN WITH BRANDIED CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Make pastry:
• Blend flour, sugar and salt in processor. Add butter; cut in using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 2 1/2 tablespoons water and blend until moist clumps form, adding more water by 1/2 tablespoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap dough in plastic; chill until firm enough to roll, at least 30 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated. Let soften slightly at room temperature before rolling out.)
• Make apple filling:
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Fill large skillet with ice cubes; set aside. Combine sugar and butter in 10-inch-diameter, 2-inch-deep skillet. Cook over medium heat until mixture is deep amber and smooth, stirring often and almost constantly the last 3 minutes, about 16 minutes (after about 12 minutes, butter and sugar will separate and sugar will begin to melt and darken). Immediately place skillet onto ice to stop color from deepening. When caramel is cold and brittle, transfer skillet to work surface.
• Arrange apple wedges close together, rounded side down, in concentric circles atop caramel in pan. Press remaining apples, rounded side up, atop first layer. Roll out pastry on lightly floured surface to 12-inch round. Place pastry atop apples, tucking in edges around apples. Bake until pastry is golden brown and juices are bubbling at sides of pan, about 55 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Place platter over skillet. Using oven mitts as aid, hold platter and skillet together and invert tart onto platter. Rearrange any apples that may have become dislodged. Let stand up to 30 minutes.
• Brush apples generously with some warm Brandied Caramel Sauce. Serve tart, passing remaining sauce separately.

BRANDIED CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Stir sugar and 2/3 cup water in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Add lemon juice. Increase heat and boil until deep amber, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan occasionally, about 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup water (mixture will bubble vigorously). Cool 5 minutes. Mix in brandy. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; refrigerate. Rewarm before serving.)