Bourbon Maple Pumpkin Seed Caramels Recipes

PUMPKIN CARAMELS

Steps:

• Line an 8 by 4-inch loaf pan with waxed paper or aluminum foil. Brush the sides, but not the bottom lightly with butter and sprinkle the pumpkin seeds in the bottom.
• Whisk the maple syrup, brown sugar, cream, corn syrup, pie spice, lemon juice, and salt together in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan. Brush down the sides on the saucepan with water to remove every grain of sugar. Set the candy thermometer into the sugar. Cook the mixture over medium heat, without stirring, until the mixture reaches the firm ball stage, 248 degrees F, about 18 to 20 minutes.
• Carefully stir in the pumpkin puree. Return to the heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the caramel reaches the soft ball stage, 240 degrees F, about 15 minutes more. Remove from the heat and stir in butter and vanilla.
• Pour the caramel over the pumpkin seeds in the prepared pan. Smooth to an even layer. Cool to room temperature.
• When fully cooled peel from the waxed paper or foil and cut into 24 (1-inch) squares. Wrap individually in parchment or waxed paper and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

BOURBON MAPLE PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Coat a parchment-lined baking sheet with the olive oil.
• Cut a 10-inch circle in the top of the pumpkin and remove the top. Scrape out the pulp and seeds with a large spoon and remove to a bowl. Separate the seeds from the stringy pulp, then rinse the seeds in a colander under cold water. Shake the seeds dry; don't blot them with paper towels--they will stick.
• Spread the seeds in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake until beginning to dry out, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the bourbon in a small saucepan, set over high heat and cook until reduced slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the maple syrup and cook until slightly thickened and reduced to about 1/4 cup, another 3 to 5 minutes.
• Whisk the egg white in a medium bowl until foamy. Add the baked pumpkin seeds and toss until fully coated. Add the bourbon and maple mixture and toss again to coat.
• Line a clean baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the seeds on the prepared baking sheet and continue to bake until caramelized and dry, an additional 25 to 30 minutes. Cool before serving.