This thin sauce with a fiery personality adds a direct hit of liquor, tempered by caramel, to any dessert that it’s drizzled over. I particularly like it made with Armagnac, Cognac’s rowdy cousin, and paired with Creamy Rice Pudding (page 138). If you wish, you can use bourbon, rum, or any favorite liquor in place of the Cognac.
Before preparing this recipe, see Caramelization Guidelines, page 265.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 1 1/2 cups (375 ml)
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Spread the sugar in an even layer in a medium heavy-bottomed skillet or saucepan. Pour the 1/3 cup (80 ml) water over the sugar to dampen it, but don’t stir. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and add the cream of tartar or lemon juice. Continue to cook without stirring, but swirling the pan if the sugar clumps or begins to brown unevenly. When the caramel turns dark amber in color and begins to foam a bit, remove from the heat and immediately add the remaining 1/2 cup (125 ml) water. The caramel will bubble up vigorously, then the bubbling will subside. Stir with a heatproof utensil until any hardened bits of caramel completely dissolve. Let cool completely, then stir in the Cognac. Serve at room temperature.
Storage
Step 2
This sauce can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
