Fire Roasted Chestnut Caramel Cookies Recipes

AUNT GISELE'S CARAMEL COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 15 1/2 by 10 1/2 by 1-inch jelly roll pan; set aside.
• Combine the butter, yolks, sugar, cinnamon and flour and mix until you form a cohesive ball of dough. Spread the dough onto the prepared jelly roll pan and bake for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile cook the almonds, sugar, butter, honey and milk, stirring on occasion, until the mixture is light golden.
• Remove baked dough; spread almonds mixture over the top and bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer until dark golden. Cool and cut into squares or rectangles (be sure to cut the cookies before they turn too hard.)

CARAMELIZED CHESTNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bake chestnuts on a baking sheet in middle of oven until slightly dried and a shade darker, about 30 minutes. Cool chestnuts completely on a rack.
• Cook sugar in a dry 10- to 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderate heat, swirling and shaking skillet (to help sugar melt evenly), until caramel is deep golden. Remove from heat, then prop skillet up against a ramekin or metal cookie cutter, tilting it just enough for caramel to pool. Add 1 chestnut to caramel and evenly coat by turning with 2 forks, then transfer with forks to a sheet of foil to cool. Coat remaining chestnuts in same manner. (If caramel starts to harden, melt over moderately low heat, stirring.) Once completely cooled, peel chestnuts from foil.

CHESTNUTS ROASTED ON AN OPEN FIRE

Steps:

• Take a cheap old frying pan, and using a hammer and large nail, or drill bit, make about 10 holes in the bottom.
• Put an X in the skin of each chestnut. Heat pan over flame. Add chestnuts and using a spray bottle, spray with water.
• Return to flame, shake pan slowly and constantly for about 15 min., occasionally spritzing with more water. (will require more yuletide songs).
• Place chestnuts into large metal bowl, sprinkle with salt, and toss. Place chestnuts into 8 small brown bags, sprinkle a dash more salt into bag, and serve. (or sell em on the street corner for a nickel like they did in the ol' days)!

CHESTNUT-CARAMEL ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Whisk chestnut spread, 1/4 cup milk, and salt in small bowl to combine. Set aside.
• Combine sugar and 1/3 cup water in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber color, occasionally brushing down sides and swirling pan, about 12 minutes. Slowly and carefully add cream (mixture will bubble vigorously), then remaining 1 cup milk. Stir over low heat until any hard caramel bits dissolve and mixture is smooth. Stir in chestnut spread mixture and Armagnac. Transfer cream mixture to bowl; cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Process cream mixture in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer ice cream to bowl; cover tightly and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Keep frozen.)
• Scoop into bowls. Sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons chopped chestnuts.