Apple Cider Caramels Recipe 455

APPLE CIDER CARAMELS

Steps:

• Butter an 8"x 8" square baking pan and line in both directions with parchment paper, also butter the parchment paper.
• Bring the cider to a boil over medium high heat and allow it to reduce by 3/4. You should have 1/2 cup when you're done. This should take about 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, then add the cream, butter and vanilla to the reduced cider. Cook until the butter is melted, then set the mixture aside.
• Combine the sugar and corn syrup in a large, heavy Dutch oven. Heat over medium high heat until the sugar is melted and the mixture becomes a medium caramel color. Do not stir once the sugar is boiling. You can pick up the pot and swirl it around if you see dark spots in the caramel.
• Add the cider/cream mixture all at once. Keep your face away from the pan because the steam can burn. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium and cook until 248°-250°F, do not stir. Turn off the heat and whisk in the salt, cinnamon and ginger.
• Pour the caramel into the prepared pan and let set, uncovered, overnight at room temperature.
• Cut into 1" squares using a sharp, oiled knife. Wipe the blade between cuts with an oiled paper towel. Wrap the candies in squares of wax or parchment paper.
• Keep in an airtight container at room temperature.

HOT CARAMEL APPLE CIDER

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup cream and 1/4 cup brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until mixture starts to boil. Raise heat to medium-high and stir in apple cider and water. Cook until mixture starts to simmer, about 4 minutes.
• Beat 1/2 cup cream and 1 tablespoon brown sugar together in a bowl until soft peaks form. Lift your beater or whisk straight up: the whipping cream will form soft mounds rather than a sharp peak.
• Pour cider into mugs and top with caramel whipped cream.

SALTED CARAMEL APPLE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of dough to 1/8-in. thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim crust even with rim., In a large saucepan, add 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of sugar, butter and 1/4-cup water. Gently stir, pulling edges towards center until mixture is is a deep golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat; immediately and gradually whisk in the cream until blended; add salt. Set aside., Toss apples and lemon juice in a large bowl; set aside. In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/3 cup sugar, flour, apple pie spice, and bitters; toss with apples to coat., Layer 1/3 of the apples in bottom of crust, then spoon 1/3 of the caramel sauce in an even layer. Continue layering with half the remaining apples and caramel sauce. Repeat with remaining apples and caramel. With remaining dough create a lattice crust; place on top of apples., Brush top with egg; sprinkle with sugar and additional salt, if desired. Bake 20 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 325°, bake until golden brown and apples are tender, 25-35 minutes more. Cool completely. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.