Imperial Peach Sundaes Recipes

CARAMEL PECAN SUNDAES

Steps:

• For the caramel, mix 1/3 cup water and the sugar in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook, without stirring, over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium and boil uncovered until the sugar turns a warm chestnut brown (about 350 degrees on a candy thermometer), 5 to 7 minutes, gently swirling the pan to stir the mixture. Be careful; the mixture is extremely hot! Watch the mixture constantly at the end, as it will go from caramel to burnt very quickly. Turn off the heat. Stand back to avoid splattering and slowly add the cream and vanilla. The cream will bubble violently and the caramel will solidify; don't worry. Simmer over low heat, stirring constantly, until the caramel dissolves and the sauce is smooth, about 2 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature, at least 4 hours. It will thicken as it sits. To assemble the sundaes, place one scoop of vanilla ice cream and one scoop of butter pecan ice cream in each dish and sprinkle with toasted pecans. Drizzle with caramel sauce and serve extra sauce on the side.

GRILLED-PEACH SUNDAES WITH SALTED BOURBON-CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare the peaches: Heat a charcoal grill while you bring a saucepan of water to simmer. Score the bottom of each peach with an X, then blanch for about 45 seconds, until skin near the X looks loose. Remove peaches with a slotted spoon and cool in a bowl of ice water. Peel the peaches. Then, with a paring knife, start at the stem of the peach and make a single cut around to the tip. Rotate hands in opposite directions, twist and free flesh from pit.
• Lay the peach halves cut side up and brush lightly with peanut oil; sprinkle with salt. Place the peaches cut side down on grill (you can also use a stovetop grill pan set over medium heat) and cook until there are grill marks, about 2 minutes. Brush with oil and sprinkle with salt. Flip and grill the other side.
• Make the pecans: Toss the first four ingredients in a bowl; spread on a nonstick cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes, or until nicely toasted. Remove and toss with the sugar.
• Make the caramel: Combine the sugar, water and corn syrup in a saucepan and bring to a low boil. Gently swirl the mixture in a circular motion (do not stir) and allow it to boil down until it is a deepamber caramel, at least 10 minutes. Carefully whisk in the cream, protecting your hand from the steam. Immediately whisk in the butter and continue to stir over low heat until mixture is smooth. Stir in salt and bourbon and whisk again. Remove from heat and allow to cool before using.
• Make the whipped cream: Whip the cream until soft peaks form. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla and whip to stiff peaks. Drizzle in the buttermilk and whip until incorporated. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• To assemble: Place 2 peach halves in a bowl; scoop ice cream into each pit and add a dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle with pecans and drizzle salted bourbon-caramel sauce over the whole shebang.

PEACH MELBA SUNDAE

Steps:

• Put a sundae glass or bowl in the freezer to chill. To make the sauce, put the raspberries, sugar and lime juice in a blender, and blitz to a purée, loosening with a splash of water if necessary. Set aside. Meanwhile, whip the cream with the vanilla and icing sugar until it holds its shape, then transfer to a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped nozzle, if you like.
• Pour the champagne or prosecco (if using) into the chilled glass, then neatly layer balls of ice cream, peach wedges, raspberries, raspberry sauce and cream, finishing with a big swirl of cream on the top. Scatter with the toasted almonds and serve straight away with two spoons.

ROASTED PEACH SUNDAE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Lay the peaches out on the lined baking sheet and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar. Roast until lightly caramelized and tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• In a small saucepot, melt the butter over low heat. Add the honey, cinnamon, lemon juice, remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar and a pinch of kosher salt. Add the peaches. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is slightly reduced, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. If the sauce is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water. Serve warm over vanilla ice cream.

IMPERIAL PEACH SUNDAES

Steps:

• Combine first 6 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently until peaches are tender, about 15 minutes. Cool completely in saucepan. Discard star anise. (Sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Scoop ice cream into dessert goblets. Spoon peach sauce over; sprinkle with pine nuts and serve immediately.
• *Brown star-shaped seedpods available at Asian markets and specialty foods stores and in the spice section of some supermarkets.

FRESH PEACH SUNDAE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a 2-quart saucepan, stir together the sugar, cornstarch, nutmeg and cinnamon. Mix in the water and juice. Bring this to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for one minute.
• Stir in the peaches and continue simmering for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until peaches soften slightly. Remove from heat. Because the peaches will continue to cook in the hot syrup, you don't want to overcook them while pan is on the heat.
• Serve warm or cold over ice cream.

PEACH SUNDAES WITH BOURBON-PECAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Place lemon juice in medium bowl. Peel and pit peaches. Slice thinly into bowl; toss to coat with lemon juice. Melt butter in heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and stir until mixture thickens and bubbles. Add cream 1 tablespoon at a time and stir until sugar dissolves and sauce is thick and smooth, about 3 minutes. Stir in peaches, pecans and bourbon. Cook until sauce is heated through, stirring constantly, about 1 minute longer.
• Scoop ice cream into bowls. Spoon sauce over and serve.