Bourbon Maple Pumpkin Seed Caramels Recipes

MAPLE BOURBON PUMPKIN SEED BRITTLE

Steps:

• Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a small skillet, toast pepitas over medium heat until barely golden. Turn off heat and keep warm in the skillet while you make the brittle.
• In a large saucepan, heat sugar, maple syrup, bourbon and butter over medium-low heat, stirring to combine, until sugar is dissolved. Don't bring it to a boil until everything is dissolved.
• Bring mixture to a boil, then stop stirring. Attach a candy thermometer and continue to cook without stirring, until mixture reaches 300°F. This make take a bit - the last few degrees seem to take the longest.
• Once the mixture hits 300°F, turn off heat and quickly stir in baking soda and salt, then pumpkin seeds.
• Immediately pour onto prepared baking sheet and spread evenly. Work carefully - mixture will be very hot and can cause burns if it gets on your skin.
• Cool until hardened and break into pieces.
• Store in an airtight container.

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.

BOURBON-MAPLE PUMPKIN SEED CARAMELS

Steps:

• Grease a 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment sheets that overhang all four sides of the pan (the cooking spray will help hold the paper in place).
• In a large cooking pot, stir together the butter, sugars, corn syrup, milk, cream and maple syrup. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pot or insert the probe of a digital thermometer into the mixture. Set the pot over medium heat and stir until the butter is melted and all ingredients are mixed. Bring the mixture to a bubble.
• When the mixture is consistently bubbling, allow the candy to cook without stirring for about 20 minutes, or until the thermometer reads 248-250°F. Remove from heat and stir in the bourbon and salt. Be careful! The mixture will bubble and sputter with the bourbon addition. Stir well until the salt and bourbon are well incorporated.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and immediately sprinkle on the pumpkin seeds. Let cool 10 minutes and then refrigerate until firm, about 1-2 hours. Lift the firm caramel block out of the pan with the overhanging parchment. Cut into pieces and wrap individually in waxed paper squares.
• Candies will keep at room temperature for up to one week. Refrigerate for longevity, about 8-10 days.

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.