How To Cuisine Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Chocolate Covered Pretzels     author :K. Goins

Ingerdients            
1 lb (.5 kg). white chocolate (or dark)
unsalted peanuts optional
1 16 oz (448 grm). bag pretzels
Preparation instructions
In microwave safe bowl, melt all of the chocolate (stirring very often - every 20-30 seconds) until melted well and creamy.
Put the pretzels (and peanuts if desired) in a large tupperware bowl pour in chocolate.
Put on cover securely and shake until evenly coated.
Put on wax paper in a single layer to dry store in plastic freezer bags or tupperware
Notes
I made these white chocolate covered pretzels this Christmas to add to "goody bags" for relatives. They are easy to make and are delicious.

How To CuisineBaby Ruth®Candy Bar

Baby Ruth®Candy Bar    Todd Wilbur    Candy  
Ingerdients

Centers                
1/4 cup whole milk
5 unwrapped caramels
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 teaspoon butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

20 unwrapped caramels
1 1/2 teaspoons water
2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 12-ounce bag milk chocolate chips

Preparation instructions

1. Combine all ingredients for the centers, except the powdered sugar, in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir often as the caramel slowly melts. When the mixture is smooth, add 3/4 cup of powdered sugar. Stir. Save the remaining 1/2 cup of powdered sugar for later.
2. Use a candy thermometer to bring the mixture to exactly 230 degrees, stirring often, then turn off the heat.
3. When the temperature of the candy begins to drop, add the remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar to the pan, then use a hand mixer on high speed to combine. Keep mixing until the candy cools and thickens and can no longer be mixed. That should take a minute or two.
4. Let the candy cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it can be touched. Don't let it sit too long - you want the candy to still be warm and pliable when you shape it. Take a tablespoon-size portion and roll it between your palms or on a countertop until it forms a roll the width of your index finger, and measuring about 4 1/2-inches long. Repeat with the remaining center candy mixture and place the rolls on wax paper. You should have 8 rolls. Let the center rolls sit out for an hour or two to firm up.
5. Combine the 20 caramels with the 1 1/2 teaspoons of water in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir often until the caramels melt completely, then turn off the heat. If you work fast this caramel will stay warm while you make the candy bars.
6. Pour the peanuts onto a baking sheet or other flat surface. Using a basting brush and working quickly, "paint" a coating of caramel onto one side of a center roll. Quickly turn the center over, caramel side down, onto the peanuts and press gently so that the peanuts stick to the surface of the candy. Paint more caramel onto the other side of the roll and press it down onto the peanuts. The candy should have a solid layer of peanuts covering all sides. If needed, brush additional caramel onto the roll, then turn it onto the peanuts to coat the roll completely. Place the candy bar onto wax paper, and repeat with the remaining ingredients. Place these bars into your refrigerator for an hour or two so that they firm up.
7. Pour the milk chocolate chips into a glass or ceramic bowl and zap it in the microwave for 2 minutes on 50 percent power. Gently stir the chips, then heat for an additional 30 seconds at 50 percent power. Repeat if necessary, stirring gently after each 30 seconds. Don't overcook the chips or the chocolate will burn and seize up on you.
8. Drop a candy bar center into the melted milk chocolate. Cover the candy bar with chocolate using two forks, one in each hand. When the candy is covered with chocolate, balance the bar on both of the forks, one at each end of the candy bar, and tap the forks on the top edge of the bowl so that much of the chocolate drops off. Carefully place the candy bar onto wax paper and remove the two forks. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, and then chill the candy bars until firm.

Notes
Beneath the chocolate of Nestlés popular candy bar is a chewy, peanut-covered center that resembles Hershey's PayDay. To clone this one we'll only have to make a couple adjustments to the PayDay clone recipe, then add the milk chocolate coating. Even though the wrapper of this candy bar calls the center "nougat," it's more of a white or blonde fudge that you can make in a saucepan on your stovetop with a candy thermometer.

How to Cuisine Best-Ever Cinnamon Rolls

Best-Ever Cinnamon Rolls    Debbie Carlson   Breakfast
Ingerdients

4 1/2 To 5 cups all-purpose flour
1 pk Dry yeast (about 1 1/2 tsp.)
1 c Milk
1/3 c Butter
1/3 c Sugar
1/2 ts Salt
3 Eggs
3/4 c Packed brown sugar
1/4 c All-purpose flour
1 tb Ground cinnamon
1/2 c Butter
1/2 c Light raisins
1/2 c Chopped pecans
1 tb Half-and-half or light cream
1 Recipe Powdered Sugar Glaze (to follow


Preparation instructions

In a large mixer bowl, combine 2 1/4 cups of the flour and the yeast.
In a small saucepan heat the milk, the 1/3 cup butter, the 1/3 cup sugar, and salt just till warm (120 degrees to 130 degrees) and butter is almost melted, stirring constantly. Add to flour mixture. Add eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping sides of bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 cups flour as you can.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes total). Shape into a ball. Place in a greased bowl, turning once. Cover; let rise in a warm place till double (about 1 hour).
For filling, combine brown sugar, the 1/4 cup flour, and cinnamon. Cut in remaining butter till crumbly; set aside.
Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll the dough into a 12" square.
Sprinkle filling over dough square; top with raisins and pecans. Roll up jelly-roll style; pinch edges to seal. Slice roll into eight 1 1/2" pieces. Arrange dough pieces, cut side up, in a greased 12" deep-dish pizza pan or a 13x9x2" baking pan.
Cover dough loosely with clear plastic wrap, leaving room for rolls to rise. Refrigerate rolls 2 to 24 hours. Uncover and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes (Or, for immediate baking, don't chill dough. Instead, cover loosely; let dough rise in a warm place till nearly double, about 45 minutes).
Break any surface bubbles with a greased toothpick. Brush dough with half-and-half or light cream. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or till light brown. If necessary to prevent overbrowning, cover rolls loosely with foil the last 5 to 10 minutes of baking. Remove rolls from oven. Brush again with half-and-half or light cream. Cool for 1 minute. Carefully invert cinnamon rolls onto a wire rack. Cool slightly. Invert again onto a serving platter. Drizzle with Powdered Sugar Glaze. Serve warm. Makes 8 rolls.
VARIATION: Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Prepare rolls as directed, except substitute 1 cup finely chopped apple for the raisins in the filling.

POWDERED SUGAR GLAZE:

In a bowl stir together 1 1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1 tsp. corn syrup, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and enough half-and-half or light cream (1 to 2 Tbsp.) to make of drizzling consistency

Notes
The best part about making this recipe is that the dough can be mixed and the rolls filled and shaped the night before. When you awake in the morning, just bake. Waiting for the rolls to come out of the oven is the hardest part