Best Caramel Molasses Pecan Logs Recipes

HOLIDAY PECAN LOGS

Steps:

• Butter an 8-in. square pan with 2 teaspoons butter; set aside. Combine confectioners sugar and milk powder; set aside. In a heavy saucepan, combine 1/2 cup butter, sugar and corn syrup; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil. Stir in confectioners' sugar mixture, about a third at a time, until blended. , Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Continue stirring until the mixture mounds slightly when dropped from a spoon. Spread into prepared pan. Cool. , Cut candy into four strips; cut each strip in half. Shape each into a log; wrap in waxed paper and twist ends. Freeze or refrigerate until firm. , Meanwhile, in a microwave, melt caramels with milk, stirring often. Roll logs in caramel mixture, then in pecans. Wrap in waxed paper. Store at room temperature in airtight containers. Cut into slices with a serrated knife.

CARAMEL-MOLASSES PECAN LOGS

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch-square baking pan with a piece of plastic wrap, leaving a 2-inch overhang. Set baking pan aside.
• Combine sugar, corn syrup, molasses, butter, and heavy cream in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan set over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer registers 250 degrees, about 12 minutes. Pour caramel into prepared pan; freeze until cool and set, about 1 hour.
• Invert pan of caramel onto a cutting board, and pop out the caramel; remove plastic. Cut the square into six equal sticks.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment. Place chopped pecans on a piece of parchment. Roll each stick in the nuts, forming a log and coating completely. Place logs on baking sheet, and transfer to the refrigerator.
• Place the chopped chocolate and the shortening in the top of a double boiler or a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir mixture until melted, and remove from heat. Remove logs from refrigerator.
• Using a pastry brush, coat each log with a layer of chocolate, and return to baking sheet. Chill until chocolate has set, about 15 minutes. Keep remaining chocolate melted.
• Pour remaining chocolate into a 4 1/2 by 9-inch loaf pan. Roll logs in chocolate, one at a time, coating completely. Return logs to baking sheet, and refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes more.
• To make petits fours, slice each log into 24 1/3-inch-thick slices; place in petit-four cups, and serve immediately.

CARAMEL PECANS

Steps:

• Line a 13-in. x 9-in. pan with foil; grease the foil with 2 teaspoons butter and set aside., In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugars, corn syrup, 1 cup cream and the remaining butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil. Slowly stir in the remaining cream. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 245° (firm-ball stage)., Remove from the heat; stir in pecans and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan (do not scrape saucepan). Let stand until firm. Using foil, lift candy out of pan. Discard foil; cut candy into 1-in. squares. Wrap individually in waxed paper; twist ends.

MOLASSES CARAMELS

Steps:

• Prepare a 9-inch square pan: line with foil and use an additional teaspoon of soft butter to 'grease' thoroughly.
• Combine molasses, butter and sugar in a 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Cover and continue to cook over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes to wash down sugar crystals from sides of pan. Uncover and cook, without stirring, until mixture reaches hard ball stage (260°). If you don't have a candy thermometer, drop a small amount into a cup of cold water. If it doesn't immediately harden, continue cooking and test again.
• Stir in one teaspoon of vanilla.
• Remove from heat, and beat with a wooden spoon until mixture is creamy and begins to thicken. Working rapidly, spread mixture in a buttered 8- inch square pan.
• Mark top of warm candy into 1-inch squares, using a sharp knife. Cool completely before cutting into squares. Wrap each piece tightly in waxed paper, twisting ends, or wrap in plastic wrap.

MOLASSES-PECAN STICKY BUNS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a small saucepan, heat the milk, water and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky)., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes., Roll into a 14x12-in. rectangle. Spread butter to within 1/2 in. of edges; sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal. Cut into 12 rolls., In a small saucepan, melt remaining butter for topping. Stir in the brown sugar, pecans and molasses; pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Place rolls, cut side down, in dish., Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 15 minutes. Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately invert onto a serving platter. Serve warm.

TENDER PECAN LOGS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Add the flour, beating on low speed just until combined. Stir in pecans. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until easy to handle., Shape 1/2 cups into 1/2-in.-thick logs. Cut logs into 2-in. pieces. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned. Roll warm cookies in confectioners' sugar; cool on wire racks.

PECAN CARAMELS

Steps:

• Line a 13-in. x 9-in. pan with foil; grease the foil with butter. Set aside. , In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and 1 cup cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir until smooth and blended, about 10 minutes. Stir in milk and remaining cream. Bring to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage), about 25 minutes. , Remove from the heat; stir in pecans and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan (do not scrape saucepan). Cool. Using foil, lift candy out of pan; cut into 1-in. squares. Wrap individually in waxed paper.