Pecan Caramel Parfaits Recipes

BROWNIE CARAMEL PARFAITS

Steps:

• Place pecans and coconut in an ungreased baking pan. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently. , Meanwhile, prepare brownie batter and bake according to package directions. Cool on a wire rack; cut into small squares. , When ready to serve, in six parfait or dessert glasses, layer with brownies, ice cream, caramel topping and pecan mixture; repeat layers one or two times.

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.

PECAN PRALINE SEMIFREDDO WITH BOURBON CARAMEL

Steps:

• To make the praline, line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
• Combine the water and the sugar in a saucepan over high heat. Gently swirl the pan around to melt the sugar evenly. Using a candy thermometer, cook the sugar until it reaches 370°F. Add the pecan halves to the caramel and quickly stir the nuts to coat them thoroughly with the caramel. Spoon the praline onto the waxed paper in an even layer to cool. Once the praline has cooled, chop it finely with a knife and reserve.
• To make the parfait, line a 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, letting enough excess wrap hang over the sides to cover the top.
• Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy whipping cream on medium-high speed until it reaches stiff peaks. Remove the bowl from the mixer and, with a rubber spatula, fold the sour cream into the whipped cream. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and refrigerate until needed.
• Have the egg yolks and egg whites in separate bowls. Put the egg yolks in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and add 1/4 cup of the sugar. Whisk the mixture on high speed until you achieve a thick, pale yellow consistency. Transfer the mixture to another bowl and reserve.
• Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites on medium speed until frothy. Decrease the speed to low and slowly sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup sugar into the whites. Once the sugar is added, increase the speed to high and whisk until medium peaks form.
• Fold the cream mixture into the yolks, then fold in the egg whites in three additions. Fold in the chopped pecan praline.
• Fill your prepared loaf pan with the semifreddo mixture and smooth out the top. Pull the plastic wrap over the top and freeze for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight.
• To make the caramel, using a candy thermometer, cook the water and the sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until it reaches 380°F. Remove the caramel from the heat and carefully add the heavy cream. Return it to the stove over low heat. Once the cream dissolves into the caramel, you need to swirl the pan periodically but try not to stir it, remove it from the heat and add the bourbon. Hold the caramel at room temperature until you are ready to serve it.
• To serve the semifreddo, pull the plastic wrap away from the top. Invert the loaf pan onto a platter. Wrap a hot, wet kitchen towel over the loaf pan and gently rub the sides to release the semifreddo. Once the semifreddo is released onto the platter, peel off the plastic wrap.
• Slice the semifreddo into ten equal slices with a sharp knife. Serve each with a drizzle of bourbon caramel.

PECAN-CARAMEL PARFAITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put pecans in a pie plate and roast in the oven until nutty smelling and toasty, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, remove ice cream from freezer and let stand at room temperature or at least 15 minutes to soften.
• Remove nuts from the oven and let cool. Turn off oven.
• Choose 4 to 6 clear plastic parfait glasses, beer glasses, or any see-through unbreakable glass of at least 12-ounce capacity.
• In each of the glasses, put about 2 tablespoons caramel or butterscotch sauce in bottom. Top with a layer of softened ice cream, packing it down slightly and being careful not to smear the sides of the glass too much (if you do smear glass while making layers, wipe down inside with paper towels as you work). Sprinkle with a teaspoon or so of pecans. Continue layering in the same fashion: sauce, ice cream, pecans until you reach the top of the glass. Make the last layer sauce and sprinkle it with pecans.
• Wrap the glasses tightly with plastic wrap and put in freezer (or outside in the snow) until ready to serve.

BUTTER PECAN PEACH PARFAITS

Steps:

• Heat sugar in a dry heavy medium skillet over medium heat, stirring with a fork to heat sugar evenly, until it starts to melt. Stop stirring and cook, swirling skillet occasionally so sugar melts evenly, until it is dark amber.
• Remove from heat and immediately add water (mixture will bubble up and steam), then cook over medium heat, stirring, until any solids are dissolved and mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add butter, swirling skillet until incorporated.
• Serve peaches and ice cream with warm caramel sauce.

GHIRARDELLI® BROWNIE PECAN PARFAIT

Steps:

• To make the brownies, spray an 8-inch square pan with nonstick spray and coat with flour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Melt the chocolate and the butter together over a double boiler. Whisk until smooth.
• Whisk the sugar and egg together in a bowl. Stir the chocolate and butter into the sugar mixture. Stir in the flour. Spread in the prepared pan.
• Bake for 15 minutes. Cool, remove from the pan and cut into 1/2 inch squares.
• To make the parfait, whisk together the egg yolks and the sugars. Whisk in the evaporated milk and then the cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, with a heat resistant rubber spatula, until thick, about 5 minutes. (If the mixture gets lumpy at anytime during the cooking process, briefly switch to a whisk and whisk until smooth.) Place the mixture in a clean bowl and place plastic wrap directly on the surface. Refrigerate until cold.
• Whip the cream until soft peaks form. Fold the cream into the cooled mixture.
• To assemble the parfaits, in the bottom of martini, wine or any clear glass with approximately a 3/4 cup capacity, put about 4 pieces of brownies, about 2 teaspoons caramel sauce, and 2 teaspoons pecans. Top with about 3 tablespoons parfait mixture. Repeat layering with 2 more layers of brownies, caramel sauce and pecans and 1 more layer of parfait, ending with a layer of the brownies, pecans and caramel.
• Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.