Caramels

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Homemade CaramelsThese are good. But…I had to try the recipe twice. The first time, I followed the directions exactly and I couldn’t get the mixture to heat past 200 degrees. Frustrated (but determined), I tried it again. This time, instead of heating it on low like the directions stated, I heated it on medium-high. I know, I’m such a rebel. But it worked.

Ingredients
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus some for greasing the pan
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
Pinch salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation

  1. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
  2. Combine all ingredients except vanilla in a small saucepan and turn the heat to low. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves, then cook, stirring only occassionally, until the mixture measures 245 degrees.
  3. Stir in the vanilla and pour into the prepared pan. When the mixture has cooled to room temperature, remove the block of caramel from the pan and use a sharp knife to cut it into small squares. Wrap each square in waxed paper or plastic wrap. These keep for weeks, but are best eaten fresh.

Note: I used a pizza cutter instead of a knife to cut the squares.

Recipe from How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman.

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January 14, 2007 | Filed Under Candy


Comments

11 Responses to “Caramels”

    Brilynn on 1 January 15th, 2007 7:31 am

    I’ve been wanting to make caramels for ages, but hot sugar scares me. Everytime I see someone else make them though, I get a little bit closer to trying it myself…

    Reply
    Lady S on 2 January 15th, 2007 7:57 am

    What do I have to do to be your friend and have you send me some of these? I am way beyond where Brilynn is, I am not just afraid of hot sugar. I am afraid of cooking.

    Reply
    paula on 3 January 16th, 2007 6:14 am

    I had trouble with my caramels too but they turned out pretty good. I really hate working with a candy thermometer.

    Reply
    Kristen on 4 January 16th, 2007 11:36 am

    Those look fantastic! My MIL makes homemade caramels all the time and she makes it looks so easy. I have yet to try them, but may….may give it a chance!

    Reply
    Abby on 5 January 16th, 2007 4:48 pm

    I got that cookbook in the mail just TODAY. I’m so excited – esp. after seeing you and Smitten Kitchen make caramels (hers with salt). And now I get to go shopping, too, for a candy thermometer that actually works.

    Reply
    brian on 6 January 16th, 2007 7:51 pm

    Look at the size of those caramels! You are so generous–I would have made another 3 or 4 passes with the pizza wheel in each direction. Then again, my wife does the caramel wrapping and that is my least favorite part.

    Reply
    Hilary on 7 January 17th, 2007 1:10 pm

    Brian, I ended up cutting those pieces in thirds!

    Reply
    Elizabeth on 8 February 6th, 2007 6:57 am

    Kudos to you for attempting caramels! I have attempted that feat myself and I graciously hand that task over to someone else! My nana makes the creamiest,yummiest caramels in the world.I will stick with hers! Great post!

    Reply
    lene on 9 February 22nd, 2007 2:41 pm

    I make these to give as gifts at Christmas, although my recipe uses more cream and more syrup. They’re wonderful, but all that stirring grows tiresome after a while, doesn’t it? I usually don’t bother with the thermometer, and just go by the colour of the caramel and the ice water test, because I hate having to try to stir around the thermometer. (Silly, I know.) Anyway, yours look wonderful, and I got a chuckle from the fact that you ended up cutting those big pieces into thirds. Love the idea of using the pizza cutter!

    Reply
    wanching on 10 April 7th, 2007 12:04 am

    245 degree…in ‘C or ‘F?

    Reply
    Aaron on 11 April 23rd, 2007 7:39 pm

    F 245C would be 473F and at that point your seting fire to your home

    Reply

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