Caramel Pecan Diamonds Recipes

CHEWY CARAMEL PECAN DIAMONDS

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Line a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with foil, leaving a 1-inch overhang on all sides; butter foil.
• In a food processor, blend the flour confectioner's sugar, cornstarch and salt for a couple of seconds.
• Add in 3/4 cup COld butter (cut into chunks); process until mixture begins to clump together.
• Press the dough evenly onto the bottom of the foil-lined baking pan.
• Bake until light and golden, about 25 minutes (don't overbake).
• Remove from oven; let stand while preparing the topping.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees.
• FOR TOPPING: stir the brown sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, until the sugar dissolves, and the mixture boils; boil for 1 minute.
• Add in the pecans and the whipping cream; boil until the mixture thickens slightly (about 3 minutes).
• Stir in vanilla.
• Pour over the warm baked crust.
• Bake for 20 minutes, or until the topping is darker, and bubbles thickly.
• Transfer pan to a wire rack; cool completely in the pan (topping will harden).
• In a double boiler, melt the caramels with 2-3 tsp whipping cream.
• Drizzle over the top of the cooked nut topping; cool.
• Lift foil out of the pan onto a cutting board.
• Using a heavy, sharp knife, cut the crust with nut topping into 1-1/2 x 1-inch diamonds.
• These keep for up to 1 week.

CARAMEL PECAN BARS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. In a small bowl, beat eggs and vanilla. Gradually add hot sugar mixture, stirring constantly. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to the butter mixture and mix well. Stir in pecans. , Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs and edges are crisp. Cool on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired. Cut into bars.

CHEWY PECAN DIAMONDS

Steps:

• for crust: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Line 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, leaving 1-inch overhang on all sides.
• Butter foil.
• Blend flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch and salt in processor.
• Add butter and process until mixture begins to clump together.
• Press dough evenly onto bottom of foil-lined pan.
• Bake crust until set and light golden, about 25 minutes.
• Remove from oven.
• Let stand while preparing topping.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
• for topping: Stir brown sugar, corn syrup and butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and mixture boils; boil 1 minute.
• Add pecans and cream; boil until mixture thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in vanilla.
• Pour hot topping over warm crust.
• Bake nut-topped crust until caramel is darker and bubbles thickly, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer pan to rack.
• Cool completely in pan (topping will harden).
• Lift foil out of pan onto cutting board.
• Using heavy sharp knife, cut crust with nut topping into 1 1/2x1-inch diamonds.
• (Can be made 1 week ahead. Store between sheets of waxed paper in airtight container at room temperature.) Makes about 32.

CARAMEL PECAN SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in milk and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle., On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut into 2x1-in. strips. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. , Bake at 325° for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., For filling, combine caramels and milk in a large saucepan. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until caramels are melted and smooth. Remove from the heat; stir in the butter, sugar and pecans. Cool for 5 minutes. Spread 1 teaspoon over each cookie. , For icing, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt chips and milk; stir until smooth. Stir in the butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Cool for 5 minutes. , Spread 1 teaspoon icing on each cookie; top each with a pecan half. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.