Caramel Bananas With Espresso Chocolate On Walkers Shortbread Recipes

CARAMELIZED BANANAS

Steps:

• chocolate-Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet. Add 2 sliced bananas and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Cook until golden and syrupy, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the bananas with cinnamon and spoon over rum raisin ice cream.
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CARAMEL BANANAS WITH ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE ON WALKERS SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Lay the shortbread cookies out on a utility platter.
• Heat the caramel topping in a small saucepan so that it is viscous and spoon some on each cookie.
• Place the brandy and bananas in a saute pan and light the brandy to flambe the bananas.
• When the brandy has burnt off, place a banana piece on top of the caramel on each cookie.
• Temper the chocolate by placing half the semisweet chocolate pieces in each of 2 stainless steel bowls which will fit over a saucepan double boiler fashion.
• Bring an inch or so of water to a boil in the saucepan and fit 1 of the bowls of chocolate pieces over it and heat until those chocolate pieces are just melted (about 90 to 100 degrees F on the candy thermometer).
• Pour the just-melted chocolate into the other bowl with the unmelted chocolate, stir to combine, and return all of the chocolate to the double boiler and heat to about 105 degrees F.
• Remove from the heat and immediately whisk in the ground espresso.
• Work quickly to spoon the espresso chocolate over the caramel coated bananas, and sprinkle each with a teaspoon of shredded coconut before the chocolate hardens.
• Allow chocolate to harden, remove carefully from the utility platter using a thin bladed spatula, and serve.

SALTED CARAMEL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, then line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on 2 sides; butter the parchment.
• Beat 2 1/2 sticks butter, the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour and beat until just incorporated.
• Transfer the dough to the prepared baking dish and set a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface. Press into an even layer, then peel off the plastic. Bake until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly, then remove from the pan using the parchment. Cut into triangles.
• Make the caramel: Combine the remaining 1/2 stick butter, the brown sugar, corn syrup, heavy cream, espresso powder and kosher salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer registers 235 degrees F, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla and the vinegar. Let cool 5 minutes, then drizzle over the shortbread. Sprinkle with sea salt.

CARAMEL CHOCOLATE SHORTBREADS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving about a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. Spread the coconut in a single layer on a baking sheet and set aside.
• Beat the butter, vanilla and salt with an electric mixer on medium speed in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix on low until just incorporated. Beat in the flour in 2 batches to make a smooth dough.
• Lightly flour your hands and press the dough into the prepared baking pan. Bake the shortbread until the edges are firm and the top is dry, 28 to 30 minutes. Top the shortbread with the caramels in an even layer. Return to the oven along with the baking sheet of coconut and cook, tossing the coconut once, until the caramels are melted and the coconut is golden, about 10 minutes.
• Spray the back of a spoon with cooking spray and use it to spread the caramel all over the shortbread. Sprinkle with the chocolate and let sit until the chips are melted, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the toasted coconut and let cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Using the foil overhang as handles, lift the shortbread out of the pan and cut into 12 pieces.

ESPRESSO CARAMEL BARS

Steps:

• For the crust:
• Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan with parchment or waxed paper. Spray the paper and the sides of the pan with cooking spray. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the graham crackers and sugar. Process until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Add the melted butter and blend until the mixture forms into clumps. Spread the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, pressing gently to form an even layer. Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the crust is golden. Cool for 15 minutes.
• For the caramel:
• While the crust is cooling, in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of cream, butter, sugar, and water. Stir over medium heat until the mixture is smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees F, about 5 to 7 minutes. Carefully pour the caramel over the warm crust. Cool for 20 minutes. Freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.
• For the chocolate layer: Combine the chocolate chips and cream in a small bowl and place over a pan of simmering water. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the espresso powder. Remove the springform pan from the freezer. Pour the chocolate mixture over the caramel layer and smooth with a spatula. Sprinkle the top with smoked sea salt, if using. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.
• Allow the layers to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Using a warm, slightly wet knife, carefully cut around the edges of the chocolate layer. Release the side of the pan and remove the paper from the bottom. Cut into 1 1/2-by-1/2-inch bars and store airtight in a covered plastic container.

CARAMEL BANANAS WITH ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE ON SWEET CRACKERS

Steps:

• Lay the shortbread cookies out on a utility platter.
• Heat the caramel topping in a small saucepan so that it is viscous and spoon some on each cookie.
• Place the brandy and bananas in a saute pan and light the brandy to flambe the bananas. When the brandy has burnt off, place a banana piece on top of the caramel on each cookie.
• The chocolate to coat the bananas will be tempered, a term used to describe the successive melting and cooling of the chocolate within a certain temperature range. This process allows the molecules of the chocolate to align so that it will retain a silky appearance without a chalky finish. To temper the chocolate, place half of the semisweet chocolate pieces in each of 2 stainless steel bowls which will fit over a saucepan double-boiler fashion. Bring an inch or so of water to a boil in the saucepan and fit 1 of the bowls of chocolate pieces over it and heat until those chocolate pieces are just melted (about 90 to 100 degrees F on the candy thermometer). Then pour this just-melted chocolate into the other bowl with the un-melted chocolate, stir to combine, and return all of the chocolate to the double boiler and heat to about 105 degrees F. Remove from the heat and immediately whisk in the ground espresso. You will need to work quickly to spoon the espresso chocolate over the caramel coated bananas, and sprinkle each with a teaspoon of shredded coconut before the chocolate hardens. Allow chocolate to harden, remove carefully from the utility platter using a thin bladed spatula, and serve.