Coffee Caramel Dessert Dip Recipes

COFFEE CARAMELS

Steps:

• Have ready a candy thermometer, wooden spoon, pastry brush and cup of hot water for brushing sugar crystals from the sides of the pan.
• Butter generously an 8 or 9 inch metal baking pan and set aside. Do not use glass; the piping hot candy may break it.
• Combine the heavy cream and espresso powder in a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Place the pan on medium-low heat and heat the mixture, stirring, until the coffee dissolves. Add both sugars, the corn syrup, butter and condensed milk.
• Raise the heat to medium-high and cook the mixture, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved and the butter is melted, about 5 minutes.
• Bring the syrup to a boil, cover the pan and cook the syrup for 3 minutes. Remove the lid. Dip the brush in water and brush the sides of the pan. Attach the thermometer inside the pan.
• Cook the syrup, without stirring, swirling the pan by the handle to cook evenly, until the candy reaches 240 to 245 degrees, frequently brushing the sides of the pan with the damp brush. This should take 13 to 14 minutes.
• Remove the thermometer. Add the vanilla extract and swirl the pan to combine with the syrup.
• Immediately pour the candy into the baking pan. Smooth evenly with the wooden spoon on a metal spatula. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool for 25 to 30 minutes.
• Using a sharp knife, mark the top of the cooled candy into 1-inch squares for easier cutting. The candy will still be warm.
• If candy is still not firm, let cool for a few more minutes. Then turn the candy out onto a chopping board, top side up. Using a large, sharp, buttered knife, carefully cut into 1-inch pieces, using marking on top as guide.
• Spread the candy pieces on a sheet of buttered foil or wax paper and cool completely on wire racks.
• For storing, wrap each piece in a square of wax paper or candy wrappers, or place between layers of wax paper in an airtight container.

COFFEE CARAMELS WITH DARK CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Lightly spray the bottom and sides of a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang; lightly spray the parchment with cooking spray. Set aside. Prepare a large heatproof bowl of cold water that will accommodate the bottom of a large heavy saucepan.
• Place the cream, granulated sugar, corn syrup, brown sugar, butter and espresso powder in a large, heavy saucepan. Bring the mixture to a light boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugars have dissolved and the butter is melted. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the caramel is thick and bubbling and reaches a temperature of 245 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately stir in the vanilla and salt. Cool the caramel to room temperature by placing the bottom of the pan in the prepared water bath.
• Pour the caramel into the prepared baking pan and let stand, uncovered, until set, at least 8 hours.
• Lift the caramel out of the pan using the parchment overhang, and slice into 1-inch cubes.
• To finish, dip the bottom half of each caramel into the melted chocolate. Top with cookie crumbles. Set aside until set, about 30 minutes