Apple Cider Beignets With Butter Rum Caramel Sauce Recipe Epicuriouscom

Steps:

• For the dipping sauce: Because the caramel takes a little while to cook, start by placing the sugar in a large, heavy skillet. Heat the sugar over medium heat, stirring with a fork until it begins to melt. Once it is melted, stop stirring. Cook the sauce, giving the skillet a swirl every now and again, so the sugar melts evenly. Cook until it is dark amber in color, and then remove from the heat. Keep an eye on the sugar because it can go from dark amber to burnt in a blink. Put an oven mitt on the hand you will be using to stir in the ingredients and stand back to avoid splattering.
• Using a wooden spoon, stir in the butter, 2 tablespoons water, the bourbon, vinegar and salt and cook over low heat, stirring to incorporate all the ingredients and scraping up all the caramel from the bottom of the pan. Add the cream, bring to a boil and allow to cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, and then remove from heat. Allow to cool slightly.
• For the beignets: Set the oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Heat the oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat to 375 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, beat the egg with a fork, stir in the sparkling cider and 1 tablespoon oil until nice and foamy. Cook's Note: Make sure you use a sparkling cider-it makes the batter lighter and fluffier.
• In a large, shallow bowl, stir together the 1 1/4 cups flour and cinnamon if using. Make a well in the center of the flour (similar to the way you would if you were making pasta). Pour the cider mixture into the center of the well. Stir in a circular motion, with the fork slowly dragging in and incorporating the flour. Stir until a lumpy batter forms.
• Put the remaining 1/2 cup flour in a plate or pan. Working in batches of 3, dredge the apple rings in the flour, shaking off the excess, and then dip in the batter to coat, letting the excess drip off. Carefully slip the rings into the hot oil and fry, gently turning over once with a slotted spoon, until golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes total per batch.
• Lay the beignets on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil. Transfer to a cookie sheet and keep warm in the oven. Return the oil to 375 degrees F between batches.
• Just before serving, dust the warm beignets with confectioners' sugar. Make sure the butter bourbon dipping sauce is warm, then drizzle over the top and serve more on the side.

Steps:

• Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and oil parchment.
• Bring brown sugar, cream, butter, salt, and 1/4 cup rum to a boil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until butter is melted, then boil over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until thermometer registers 248°F (firm-ball stage), about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and remaining teaspoon rum. Pour into baking pan and cool completely until firm, 1 to 2 hours. Invert caramel onto a cutting board, then discard parchment and turn caramel glossy side up. Cut into 1-inch squares.

Steps:

• Make the beignets: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, bring the apple cider to a boil, then cook until reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and let cool.
• In a liquid measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the water, granulated sugar, and yeast. 3. Let sit for 10 minutes, until foamy.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the reduced apple cider, eggs, salt, 2 teaspoons apple pie spice, the evaporated milk, and melted butter.
• Add the yeast mixture to the egg mixture and stir to combine.
• Add half of the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to incorporate. Add the remaining flour and stir until the dough comes together in a ball.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth, about 10 minutes.
• Grease a clean large bowl with nonstick spray and place the dough in the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours, until the dough has doubled in size.
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and remaining tablespoon of apple pie spice. Set aside.
• Make the caramel: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, bring the apple cider to a boil and cook until reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
• Add the brown sugar to the reduced cider and continue cooking until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture turns a deep amber color, about 5 minutes.
• Add the heavy cream and whisk quickly to incorporate. Gradually add the cubed butter and whisk to melt completely. Whisk in the salt, then remove the pot from the heat. Cover with a lid to keep warm until ready to serve.
• In a large pot, heat the canola oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (180°C). Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and set nearby.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 12-inch (30 cm) square. Cut the dough into 36 2-inch (5 cm) squares.
• Working in batches, fry the dough squares in the hot oil until light golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to the wire rack and immediately dust with the apple pie spice sugar.
• Serve the beignets warm with the cider caramel alongside for dipping.
• Enjoy!