Description
Delectable homemade caramels melt with rich, buttery sweetness from traditional French techniques. Silky smooth candies create delightful moments of pure confectionery pleasure for eager sweet seekers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (220 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- ½ cup (120 ml) light corn syrup
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp sea salt (for salted caramels)
- ½ cup chopped nuts (pecans or almonds)
Instructions
- Prep Workspace: Line a baking dish completely with parchment paper, applying a light grease to prevent adherence of the caramel mixture.
- Sugar Fusion: Merge sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, gently dissolving sugar crystals without aggressive stirring until a uniform liquid forms.
- Caramelization Process: Heat the mixture over medium-high temperature, allowing transformation without manipulation, observing the gradual development of a deep golden complexion.
- Temperature Monitoring: Attach a candy thermometer, tracking the liquid’s progression, letting it bubble and darken to the precise golden brown stage without intervention.
- Flavor Enrichment: Remove from heat, swiftly integrate butter and cream with vigorous whisking, creating a silky, unified mixture while maintaining caution against potential splattering.
- Final Thermal Treatment: Return the mixture to heat, continuing cooking until reaching the optimal candy temperature, developing a rich, complex caramel essence.
- Molding Stage: Pour the molten caramel into the prepared dish, permitting natural spreading and settling without additional manipulation.
- Cooling and Setting: Allow complete cooling at room temperature, maintaining an undisturbed surface to ensure proper texture development.
- Preparation for Serving: Extract the caramel slab using parchment paper edges, transferring to a cutting board for precise portioning.
- Finishing Touches: Slice into uniform squares or rectangles using a lightly oiled sharp knife, then wrap individually in wax paper or cellophane, twisting ends to create elegant, gift-ready confections.
Notes
- Prevent Sugar Crystallization: Dissolve sugar gently and avoid stirring aggressively during initial heating to maintain smooth caramel texture.
- Monitor Temperature Precisely: Use a reliable candy thermometer to track exact temperature, ensuring perfect caramel consistency without burning.
- Choose Right Cookware: Select a heavy-bottomed saucepan for even heat distribution and preventing hot spots that can cause uneven caramelization.
- Control Moisture Carefully: Add cream and butter slowly and cautiously to prevent dangerous splattering and maintain smooth caramel integration.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 19
- Calories: 136
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg