Chef's Blog

10 Recipes Every Cook Should Know: Caramel

Caramels are among the most popular of all confections, and in any box of assorted chocolates they are very likely to be the first to disappear. The name caramels is not entirely accurate, as the brown color and roasted flavor are not at all due to the caramelization of sugar, […]

Desserts, Pies and Tarts

Butterscotch Cream Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie The rich caramel flavor in this pie is achieved by heating the dark brown sugar and butter until it caramelizes and develops a full, buttery flavor. Finished with swirls of whipped cream, this pie is a perennial favorite. Ingredients All-Butter Pie Crust, blind baked, single crust […]

Cookies, Desserts

Candy Bowl Cookies

Makes about 2 dozen cookies These cookies are a classic chocolate chip cookie recipe, with a twist. In place of chocolate chips, we’ve used chip-sized pieces of Halloween-favorite chocolate candies, like peanut butter cups, chocolate-covered caramels, and chocolate-coated toffee pieces. Use whatever you like best, adding as many textures as […]

Desserts

Crème Brûlée

Makes 5 servings We can all thank legendary CIA pastry chef instructor, Dieter Schorner, for reinvigorating the United States’ collective love of crème brûlée as pastry chef of New York City’s famed Le Cirque in the 1980s. Enjoy our classic version, but don’t be afraid to add spices or other […]

Desserts

Crème Caramel

Makes 6 servings Crème caramel is a dessert that produces its own sauce, as long as you are patient with it. After the custard bakes, it needs to cool long enough for two things to happen: the custard must become firm enough to unmold, and the caramel underneath the custard […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Making Soft Caramel Candies

Soft Caramels are among the most popular of all confections, and in any box of assorted chocolates they are very likely to be the first to disappear. Lucky for us, caramels are fun to make, and there are few things more delicious than a just-made caramel candy. Even better, they’re […]

Breakfast and Brunch, Desserts

Pull-Apart Apple Cider Donut

Makes 10 servings Apple cider donuts are a fall staple, best enjoyed at a farm stand on a crisp morning. For a taste of the orchard at home, this bread is inspired by the original, with the addition of sticky-sweet caramel. No frying needed! The bulk of the recipe can […]

Cakes, Desserts

Pumpkin Date Cake with Maple Caramel Sauce

Makes 8 to 12 servings This cake is a cross between sticky toffee pudding and a fluffy pumpkin snacking cake. It is lightly spiced, spongy and moist, and best when bathed in maple caramel sauce. Leftover sauce should be refrigerated and lightly heated before serving. Substitute about 2 teaspoons of […]

Desserts, Pies and Tarts

Salty Caramel Apple Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie The flavor combination of caramel and apples is a natural pairing that has become a popular choice for pies—a trend that hopefully is here to stay. The salt in this recipe enhances th flavors. Use a high-quality flaked sea salt, such as Maldon. Ingredients All-Butter Pie […]

Desserts

Tarte Tatin

Makes 6 servings Although Tarte Tatin seems quite elegant and, in some restaurants, liberties have been taken to fancy it up, it is really just a simple apple tart. Though fancy versions exist, we think that simpler is better. Remove all the bells and whistles and keep it simple—a good […]

Cookies, Desserts

Turtle Bars

Makes one 9-in by 13-in pan You can use any nuts to finish this bar—pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, or even a mixture. Ingredients Shortbread Crust 2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar 7 oz (14 tablespoons) unsalted butter 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt Brownie Filling […]