Maple Whiskey Pudding Cakes

[charisstoma]

MAPLE-WHISKEY PUDDING CAKES
https://www.177milkstreet.com/recipes/maple-whiskey-pudding-cakes

These individual desserts bake up with a gooey sauce beneath a layer of rich, tender cake. We tried a few different types of whiskey here: our favorites were Jameson for its clean, bright flavor and Rittenhouse rye for its spicy depth. This recipe can easily be doubled to serve eight. Serve the pudding cakes warm, with vanilla ice cream or lightly sweetened whipped cream.

4 servings

Ingredients
6 TABLESPOONS MAPLE SYRUP
1 TEASPOON CIDER VINEGAR
6 TABLESPOONS WHISKEY, DIVIDED
8 TABLESPOONS (1 STICK) SALTED BUTTER, DIVIDED
KOSHER SALT
107 GRAMS (½ CUP) WHITE SUGAR
¼ CUP WHOLE MILK
1 LARGE EGG
1 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT
90 GRAMS (¾ CUP) PECANS, TOASTED
65 GRAMS (½ CUP) ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
1 TEASPOON BAKING POWDER

Directions


In a small saucepan over medium, combine ½ cup water, the maple syrup, vinegar, 4 tablespoons of whiskey, 2 tablespoons of butter and ¼ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil stirring occasionally. Reduce to low and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.


In another small saucepan over medium, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons butter. Cook, swirling the pan, until the mild solids at the bottom are deep golden brown and the butter has the aroma of toasted nuts, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and cool to room temperature.


Meanwhile, heat the oven to 325°F with a rack in the middle position. Mist four 6-ounce ramekins with cooking spray and place on a rimmed baking sheet. When the butter is cool, whisk in sugar, milk, egg, vanilla, and remaining 2 tablespoons of whiskey. Set aside.

In a food processor, process the pecans until finely ground and beginning to clump, 30 to 40 seconds. Add the flour, baking powder, ½ teaspoon of salt and pulse until combined about 4 to 5 pulses. Add butter mixture and pulse until smooth, thick batter forms, about 5 pulses, scraping down the bowl once.

Divide the batter between the prepared ramekins. Gently pour the maple mixture over the batter in each ramekin. Do not stir. Bake until the cakes are puffed and the centers jiggle only slightly, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before serving; the cakes will fall slightly as they cool.

Don’t stir the maple-whiskey syrup into the batter after dividing it among the batter-filled ramekins. With baking, the syrup will form a sauce at the bottom.