Pecan Chocolate Puddles Recipes

CHOCOLATE PECAN SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Arrange two racks evenly spaced in the oven. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
• In a small bowl, combine the 3 tablespoons flour with the chocolate and pecans and set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the 4 cups flour, the sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and, with the mixer on low speed, blend until the butter is the size of peas. Measure the cream in a 2-cup glass measuring cup, add the eggs, and beat until combined. With the mixer still on low, pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and combine just until blended. Add the chocolate and pecan mixture and mix just until combined. The dough will be very sticky.
• Dump the dough out onto a very well-floured surface and knead it a few times to be sure the chocolate and pecans are well distributed, adding a little flour so the dough doesn't stick to the board. Flour your hands and a rolling pin and roll the dough 3/4 to 1 inch thick. You should see lumps of butter in the dough. Cut the dough with a 3-inch plain round cutter and place the scones on the prepared sheet pans. Reroll the scraps and cut out more scones. Brush the tops with the egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, and bake for 20 minutes, switching the pans halfway through, until the tops are lightly browned and the insides are fully baked. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE PECAN CRISPY TREATS

Steps:

• Thoroughly grease a 9-by-11-inch pan and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the marshmallows and salt and stir until melted. Halfway through the melting process, add the chocolate-hazelnut spread and stir until smooth.
• Meanwhile, melt the semisweet chocolate over a double boiler until smooth. Remove from the heat and let it cool quite a bit.
• Add the crisped rice cereal to a large bowl and fold in the marshmallow/chocolate-hazelnut mixture. When it's almost all combined, add the mini marshmallows and continue folding until everything's combined.
• Immediately press the mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with half the pecans. Drizzle the chocolate in zigzags all over the top of the treats. Sprinkle the remaining pecans on top. Allow to set, then cut into squares.

PECAN-CHOCOLATE CHIP WAFFLES

Steps:

• Heat waffle maker. In large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, sugar, pecans and chocolate chips. In medium bowl, beat eggs, butter, milk and vanilla with wire whisk. Pour over dry ingredients; stir just until moistened.
• Spoon batter onto waffle maker, following manufacturer's directions for recommended amount. Close lid of waffle maker. Bake until steaming stops and waffles are deep golden brown. Serve with syrup. Top with additional pecans and chocolate chips.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED PECAN WEDGES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Line bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with foil; grease foil with shortening. In food processor, place flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, salt and 3/4 cup butter. Process until consistency of coarse crumbs. Add egg; process until dough forms a ball. Press in pan.
• Bake 15 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool on cooling rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. In 3-quart saucepan, cook brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup butter and honey over medium heat until butter melts. Increase heat to high; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in pecans, whipping cream and orange peel. Pour over crust.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until filling is set at least 2 inches from edge of pan but center still jiggles slightly. Cool completely. Cut into 6 rows by 3 rows; cut each cookie in half diagonally. In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Dip tip of each triangle into glaze. Sprinkle with salt.

PECAN CHOCOLATE PUDDLES

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, oats, salt and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in chopped pecans and miniature chocolate chips. In a saucepan, melt chocolate chips with milk; stir until smooth. Roll dough into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
• Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the center of each ball. Fill with a rounded teaspoonful of melted chocolate; top with a pecan half. Bake at 350 degrees F for 14-16 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

CHOCOLATE PECAN WAFFLES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until foamy; beat in the milk, butter and vanilla. Stir in chocolate. , In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Stir in chocolate mixture just until moistened. Fold in pecans., Bake in a preheated waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions until golden brown. Serve with whipped topping and raspberries if desired. Freeze option: Cool waffles on wire racks. Freeze between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container. To use, reheat waffles in a toaster on medium setting. Or, microwave each waffle on high for 30-60 seconds or until heated through.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED PECANS

Steps:

• Microwave chocolate morsels in a microwave-safe bowl on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted, stirring at 30-second intervals.
• Dip half of each pecan in melted chocolate; place on a wax paper-lined baking sheet.
• Let cool completely.
• Store in a single layer in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

PECAN CHOCOLATE WAFFLES

Steps:

• Place pancake mix in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, chocolate syrup and oil. Stir into pancake mix just until combined. Stir in pecans. , Bake in a preheated round Belgian waffle maker according to manufacturer's directions until golden brown. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat chocolate butter ingredients until smooth. Serve with waffles. Freeze option: Cool waffles on wire racks. Freeze between layers of waxed paper in a resealable freezer container. Reheat waffles in a toaster on medium setting. Or microwave each waffle on high for 30-60 seconds or until heated through.

CARAMEL PECAN TURTLE CHOCOLATE CANDIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Grease a large cookie sheet well.
• Arrange 4 pecan halves in a cluster, flat side down on cookie sheet.
• Repeat with the rest of the pecan halves.
• Place one caramel on top of each cluster.
• Heat in oven until caramels are softened, about 4-6 minutes.
• Press caramels flat with the bottom of a buttered spatula (you may have to butter the spatula after every 2 or 3 caramels, or it will get very sticky).
• Remove caramels evenly onto waxed paper.
• Melt chocolate in double boiler, or in microwave on medium high, stirring every 25 seconds until just melted.
• Spoon over caramel-pecan clusters.
• Let cool a few hours.
• Makes 26.

BROWNIE PUDDLE (WITH CARAMEL VARIATION)

Steps:

• Equipment
• A 9 1/2-inch fluted tart pan, with removable bottom, bottom greased, lined with parchment,* and then lightly sprayed with Baker's Joy or nonstick vegetable spray.
• Preheat the oven to 325°F at least 15 minutes before baking. Set an oven rack in the middle of the oven before preheating.
• Place the pecans on a cookie sheet and toast them, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes or just until the color deepens slightly. Cool completely.
• In a double boiler over hot water or in a microwave-proof bowl, melt the butter and chocolate, stirring two or three times. If using a double boiler, transfer the mixture to a bowl.
• Beat the cocoa, then the sugar, into the chocolate mixture, beating until incorporated. (If you are doing this by hand, use a whisk.) Beat in the eggs and vanilla. When incorporated, beat in the cream cheese until only small bits remain. Add the flour and salt and mix only until the flour is fully moistened. Stir in the nuts.
• Place the prepared tart pan on a cookie sheet to catch any possible leaks. Scrape the batter into the pan and spread it evenly. It will fill the pan almost to the top.
• Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the batter has set. A toothpick inserted 1 inch from the side should come out clean. The mixture will puff and rise a little above the sides but sinks on cooling.
• MAKE THE GANACHE PUDDLE
• While the brownie is baking, prepare the puddle. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over hot but not simmering water, stirring occasionally, or in a microwave, using 15-second bursts on high power and stirring several times. Add the cream and stir gently until the mixture is smooth and dark. If necessary (if the cream was too cold and the mixture is not entirely smooth), return it to the heat and stir until totally fluid and uniform in color.
• As soon as the brownie is removed from the oven, grease the end of a wooden spoon (1/2-inch diameter) and insert it into the brownie at 1-inch intervals, all the way to the bottom, twisting slightly as you insert and withdraw it, to create 23 to 28 little holes. Using a small spoon or a reclosable freezer bag with a small piece cut off one corner, fill the holes with the ganache until slightly rounded on top (you will need at least 1/2 teaspoon for each). Place the pan on a wire rack and cool completely. The chocolate puddles will sink in as the brownie cools and more ganache can be added to fill in any depressions as long as the brownie is still warm enough to melt it. (If necessary, you can set the tart under a lamp to heat the ganache puddles and make them smooth.)
• Unmold the tart. To remove the parchment, refrigerate the tart or allow it to sit at room temperature until the puddles are firm to the touch. Cover a flat plate with plastic wrap, spray it lightly with nonstick vegetable spray, and set it on top of the tart. Invert the tart, peel off the parchment, and reinvert it onto a serving plate.
• To serve, use a thin sharp knife to cut wedges.
• VARIATIONS
• CARAMEL VARIATION: Caramel blends perfectly with the chocolate and pecans and is wonderful both at room temperature and refrigerated, when it becomes more sticky and chewy. Make a half recipe of the Caramel Sauce and use it in place of the chocolate puddle glaze. It is easiest to pipe it into the holes. The caramel will pipe when warm or at room temperature.
• MOCHA VARIATION: Two tablespoons of Medaglia d'Oro instant espresso powder can be added with the cocoa to give the brownie a slightly bitter coffee edge.
• STORE
• Wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container, room temperature, up to 1 week; refrigerated, up to 1 month; frozen, several months. Try it frozen or chilled if you like a chewy brownie, at room temperature for a softer, creamier texture.
• POINTERS FOR SUCCESS
• Make the holes in the brownie for the puddles as soon as it is removed from the oven to prevent the crust from cracking. Fill them as soon as possible so the ganache melts and settles smoothly into the openings.
• *A 9-inch parchment circle is the perfect size because the bottom of the tart pan is slightly smaller, so that the parchment goes a very little way up the sides, preventing any leaking.