SALT & PEPPER CARAMEL CUPS

Salt & Pepper Caramel Cups image

With sea salt and pink peppercorns, these sophisticated treats will wow your guests. The festive little cups look and taste like they came from a pricey confectionery. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 2-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup butter, cubed
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
2 cups chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
CHOCOLATE CUPS:
1 package (12 ounces) dark chocolate chips
4 teaspoons shortening
TOPPINGS:
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, melted
Coarse sea salt and whole pink peppercorns

Steps:

In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and butter; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 4 minutes longer without stirring., Remove from heat; gradually stir in milk. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage). Remove from heat; stir in pecans and vanilla. Transfer to a large bowl; cool completely, about 1-1/2 hours (mixture will thicken upon cooling)., For cups, in a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Using a narrow pastry brush, evenly coat the inside of thirty 2-in. foil liners with chocolate. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. Repeat twice to coat three times, reheating melted chocolate as necessary., Remove chocolate cups from liners; fill each with about 2 tablespoons caramel. Drizzle tops with melted chocolate; sprinkle with salt and peppercorns.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 285 calories, Fat 18g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 21mg cholesterol, Sodium 78mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (23g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.