Best Caramel Popcorn Hot Fudge Sundaes Recipes

SALTED CARAMEL SUNDAE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread the peanuts on a sheet pan and roast for 7 minutes, until they become fragrant. Pour into a medium bowl, add the popcorn, and set aside. Line the sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Place the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium (10-inch) saute pan and mix with a fork until all the sugar is moistened. Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves--from this point on, don't stir the caramel, swirl the pan! (Don't worry if the mixture looks as though it's crystallizing.)
• Continue to cook for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes a clear golden brown, swirling the pan constantly at the end. (Be careful, the caramel is very hot!) Off the heat, quickly add the corn syrup and vanilla (it will bubble up!) and swirl the pan to combine. Working quickly (the caramel will continue to cook in the pan), add the popcorn and nut mixture plus the kosher salt and toss with two large spoons until the popcorn and nuts are completely coated.
• Pour the mixture plus any extra caramel in the pan onto the prepared sheet pan and spread the mixture out in one layer, pulling it apart with two forks. Sprinkle with the fleur de sel and set aside to cool. When it's completely cooled, carefully break into large clusters with your hands.
• To serve, pour puddles of Chocolate Sauce into shallow bowls. For each serving, place 3 small scoops of gelato on the chocolate sauce, sprinkle with some of the caramelized popcorn, and add a dollop of the Sweetened Whipped Cream in the middle. Serve immediately.
• Place the chocolate, cream, corn syrup, and coffee in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Be sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl. Heat the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Serve warm.
• Pour the cream into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat on high speed until the cream forms soft peaks.

CLASSIC HOT FUDGE SUNDAE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream, sugar, corn syrup or honey, cocoa, and salt to a simmer, whisking until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the chocolate and let cook until the chocolate melts. Stir in butter and vanilla or liquor. Let cool slightly. Contrary to its name, hot fudge is best served warm, not piping hot.
• For assembly, make the whipped cream. Using a whisk or an electric mixer, beat the cream, sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
• Pour a little fudge sauce into the bottoms of sundae dishes or bowls. Top with ice cream, then more hot fudge, then nuts if using. Cover all with whipped cream and a cherry if you like. Serve.

CARAMEL POPCORN

Steps:

• Pop popcorn according to manufacturer's directions. Meanwhile, in a large heavy saucepan, combine the peanuts, almonds, brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, peanut butter and molasses. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 5 minutes. , Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda (mixture will foam). In a very large bowl, combine popcorn and pecans. Add hot syrup mixture and toss to coat. Spread onto greased baking sheets. , Bake at 250° for 1 hour or until dry, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from pans to waxed paper to cool. Break into clusters. Store in airtight containers or plastic bags.

CARAMEL-POPCORN HOT-FUDGE SUNDAES

Steps:

• Caramel popcorn: Coat 2 rimmed baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add popcorn and cover. Cook, shaking pot frequently, until corn has finished popping. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in peanuts.
• Heat butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved and butter is melted, 5 minutes. Continue to cook until mixture reaches 290 degrees on a candy thermometer, then remove from heat and quickly stir in vanilla and baking soda, making sure soda is dissolved fully. Drizzle half of caramel over popcorn mixture; pour remainder onto one baking sheet and let cool. Quickly toss popcorn to coat, then transfer to other baking sheet; let cool completely. Break caramel popcorn into bits. Popcorn can be stored in a resealable plastic bag at room temperature up to 5 days.
• Caramel-chunk ice cream: Finely chop sheet of cooled caramel. Working in 2 batches, soften ice cream with an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat half of chopped caramel into each batch until thoroughly combined. Freeze until firm, 2 hours.
• Hot-fudge sauce: Heat brown sugar and cocoa in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, whisking to combine. Add cream and corn syrup and whisk until smooth. Cook, whisking occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly, about 10 minutes. Stir in chocolate, butter, vanilla, and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until chocolate and butter are melted and sauce is smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Let cool slightly. Sauce can be stored in refrigerator up to 5 days; reheat over low heat before serving.
• To serve, layer ice cream in glasses with warm hot fudge and caramel popcorn.