The Firestones Brandy Snap Cups With Mousse Fillings Recipes

Steps:

• For the brandy snaps: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. You'll need 2 wooden spoons with 3/4-inch-thick handles to roll the brandy snaps around. If the handles are too thin, tightly wrap foil around them until they are the right thickness.
• Combine the butter, granulated sugar, golden syrup and salt in a small saucepan. Heat over medium low, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted and the sugar is mostly dissolved (it should never come to a simmer), about 10 minutes. Let cool slightly for 2 minutes, then sift the flour and ginger directly into the saucepan through a fine-mesh sieve. Stir until combined and a smooth, fluid paste.
• Place 5 to 6 separate heaping teaspoons at least 4 inches apart from each other on the prepared baking sheets. Gently spread each mound into an even 2-inch circle with the back of a spoon. Bake one sheet at a time for 6 minutes, then rotate the baking sheet and continue baking until caramel to toffee brown in color, 2 to 3 minutes. (If too pale, the brandy snaps will not get crisp enough.)
• Let cool briefly for about 2 minutes on the baking sheet until you can slide a small offset spatula underneath a brandy snap and lift it off (it should still be warm and flexible). Place on a cutting board rough-side down and roll around the wooden spoon handle, pressing down on the seam to seal. Working quickly, repeat with the remaining brandy snaps, alternating with the 2 wooden spoons and removing the rolled brandy snaps to a rack to cool completely. (If too stiff to roll, return the brandy snaps to the oven for 1 to 2 minutes until flexible again.)
• Bake and roll the brandy snaps on the second baking sheet, then continue the process of spooning, baking and rolling with the remaining batter, alternating the baking sheets.
• For the filling: When ready to serve, whip the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, brandy if using, and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a piping bag or large resealable plastic bag. Cut the tip and pipe the whipped cream into the rolled brandy snaps. Serve within 2 hours.

Steps:

• Place one brandy-snap cup on a dessert plate.
• Spoon half a cup or less of dessert mousse inside the cup, such as pumpkin, praline (see recipe) or orange juice with Grand Marnier (see recipe).
• Spoon one tablespoon of whipped cream on top and place one candied violet or other sweet garnish on top.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
• Have ready three glass ramekins or custard cups measuring about four and one-half inches wide and two inches deep.
• Combine the butter, sugar, molasses, ginger, cinnamon and orange rind in a saucepan and bring to the boil.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the flour, using a wire whisk. Add the Cognac and stir. Blend until smooth. Set the saucepan in a basin of simmering water to prevent hardening as you work.
• Drop the mixture, one full tablespoon at a time, onto an ungreased baking sheet. Space the tablespoons at wide intervals, remembering that they spread considerably as they bake. Prepare only three snaps at a time because the snaps harden fast once they are removed from the oven and they are difficult to remove.
• Put the snaps in the oven and bake 14 minutes. When the snaps are removed from the oven, let them cool for a second or so. Run a thin spatula all around the perimeter of one snap at a time to loosen the bottom completely. Quickly place the snap inside one of the ramekins and press down to mold into cup shapes. Let cool. If the snaps become impossible to scrape off, return the baking sheet briefly to the oven.
• Continue preparing and baking the snaps until all the mixture is used.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan combine sugar, butter, molasses, zest, ginger, and cinnamon over medium heat. Bring to a boil; remove from heat. Whisk in flour. Add cognac, and whisk until smooth.
• Drop batter, 1 heaping tablespoon at a time, onto a baking sheet lined with a Silpat baking mat. Prepare only 2 cookies at a time, as they harden quickly once removed from the oven and are difficult to shape.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Get several custard cups, about 3 inches in diameter and 2 1/2 inches deep, at the ready for molding. Remove snaps from oven, and let cool for 3 minutes. Run a thin spatula all around the perimeter of one snap at a time to loosen the bottom completely. Quickly place the snap, flat side up, over the bottom of a custard cup. Let cool. (If the snap becomes hard before removing from baking sheet, return briefly to the oven.) Repeat with remaining snaps.