Caramel Cowboy Recipes

CARAMEL COWBOY

Steps:

• Pour the Amaretto and butterscotch schnapps into a champagne flute and top with champagne.
• Garnish with a mint sprig.

CANDIED JALAPENO OR COWBOY CANDY

Steps:

• Wearing gloves, remove the stems from all of the jalapeno peppers. The easiest way to do this is to slice a small disc off of the stem-end along with the stem. Discard the stems.
• Slice the peppers into uniform 1/8-1/4 inch rounds. Set aside.
• In a large pot, bring cider vinegar, white sugar, turmeric, celery seed, granulated garlic and cayenne pepper to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the pepper slices and simmer for exactly 4 minutes.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the peppers, loading into clean, sterile canning jars to within 1/4 inch of the upper rim of the jar.
• Turn heat up under the pot with the syrup and bring to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 6 minutes.
• Use a ladle to pour the boiling syrup into the jars over the jalapeno slices. Insert a cooking chopstick to the bottom of the jar two or three times to release any trapped pockets of air. Adjust the level of the syrup if necessary. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp paper towel and fix on new, two-piece lids to finger-tip tightness.
• *If you have leftover syrup, and it is likely that you will, you may can it in half-pint or pint jars, too. It's wonderful brushed on meat on the grill or added to potato salad or, or, or... In short, don't toss it out!
• Place jars in a canner, cover with water by 2-inches. Bring the water to a full rolling boil. When it reaches a full rolling boil, set the timer for 10 minutes for half-pints or 15 minutes for pints.
• When timer goes off, use canning tongs to transfer the jars to a cooling rack. Leave them to cool, undisturbed, for 24 hours. When fully cooled, wipe them with a clean, damp washcloth then label.
• Allow to mellow for at least two weeks, but preferably a month before eating. Or don't.

THE COWBOY CUPCAKE

Steps:

• 1. CARAMEL WHISKEY CAKE: In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder. Set adise. Using a stand mixer whisk eggs, whiskey, caramel, oil, and half & half. Whisk on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture a cup at a time, mixing well between additions. Fill lined cupcake tins 2/3 of the way full and bake for 18-20 minutes or until cakes have risen and a cake tester comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to fully cool.
• 2. DARK CHOCOLATE GANACHE: Place chopped chocolate in a bowl. In a small saucepan heat whipping cream on medium heat, stirring occasionally. When the whipping cream starts to bubble up to half the pan, remove from heat and pour directly over chocolate. Using a rubber spatula, slowly and gently stir the melting chocolate and cream mixture. When the mixture thickens and the chocolate has started to give, stir quickly until glossy and smooth. Dip the face of each cupcake in the ganache to form a smooth, glazed surface. Set aside. (If you end up with extra ganache you can double dip cupcakes or save it for the bacon, as shown in the picture. You can also add a little whiskey to the ganache if you really want to amp up the flavor.) Allow ganache to set and harden.
• 3. MARSHMALLOW BUTTER CREAM: Using a stand mixer whisk butter and marshmallow fluff together until combined. Add confectioner's sugar, a cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix well. Add heavy whipping cream. Whisk on high for 2 minutes. Frost cupcakes, leaving some of the ganache exposed.
• 4. CANDIED BACON: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with a little olive oil or cooking spray. Lay strips of bacon flat on this sheet. In a small bowl, combine maple syrup and brown sugar. Place bacon in oven and allow to cook for 3 minutes. Carefully remove from oven and dab bacon with a paper towel to absorb grease. Brush maple syrup and brown sugar mix on bacon. Flip over and repeat. Return to the oven for an additional 4-5 minutes. Remove from the oven and move to a cooling rack (with a paper towel underneath just in case) and allow to harden and cool. Once cooled, slice bacon into pieces to either garnish cupcakes or serve on the side for guests to add as much or as little as they want.