• Countdown to Christmas – Day 4 – Caramels

  Filed under Dessert - Candy
  Dec 17
  
  If I had to tell you one thing that I have no will power around, it would be caramel. Whether it’s over ice cream, in a brownie, or just straight – if I see it, I want to eat it. Which is why I don’t make the candies very often. I could seriously eat the whole pan of it myself!!

  A few weeks ago, I went to a holiday goodie exchange. I thought this would be a perfect excuse to make caramels so that I wouldn’t have a whole pan to eat myself. (Instead I just ate half the pan!!) I’ve made a few different recipes in the past, but I would have to say that this was the easiest recipe I’ve used. It does take a little bit of time, but very little effort. I did have one problem with the recipe, though. The recipe says that for high altitude, it should only take 15 minutes to come to temperature, or 35 minutes for non-high altitude. Well, mine took almost an hour until the temperature was right. It wasn’t a big deal, because I had the time, but just be prepared for this recipe to take some time on the stove!

  Caramels
  from Betty Crocker Christmas Cookies Dec/Jan 2009

  Makes 64 candies

  2 cups sugar
  1/2 cup butter, plus more for greasing
  2 cups whipping cream
  3/4 cup light corn syrup

  Grease bottom and sides of an 8-inch baking dish with butter.

  In a 3-quart heavy saucepan, heat all ingredients to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil uncovered about 35 – 60 minutes, stirring frequently, until candy thermometer reads 245F or until small amount of mixture dropped into cup of very cold water forms a firm ball that holds it’s shape until pressed.

  Immediately spread caramel mixture in baking dish. Cool completely, about 2 hours.

  Cut into 8 rows by 8 rows to make 1-inch squares. Wrap candies individually in waxed paper.

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  7 Comments

7 Responses to “Countdown to Christmas – Day 4 – Caramels”

1. 

   MaryMoh said on December 17th, 2009 at 4:53 pm

   These caramels looks so gorgeous. I have a candy thermometer….just have to go and find it. Thanks for sharing.

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2. 

   Rosa's Yummy Yums said on December 17th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

   Lovely caramels!

   Cheers,

   Rosa

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3. 

   Katerina said on December 17th, 2009 at 5:17 pm

   me too me too!

   My favorite holiday treat is shortbread that has been covered in pecans and then caramel. So good!

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4. 

   Dawn said on December 17th, 2009 at 10:08 pm

   oh girl I have wanted to make my own caramels for two years now and still nothing.
   I love my poor mans toffee my way for the holidays.

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5. 

   Barbara said on December 18th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

   Oh dear. I may have to make these. Don't I have enough fattening things around?? But I cannot resist caramels!

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6. 

   kat said on December 18th, 2009 at 2:27 pm

   I would so like to make my own caramels but for some reason sugar & heat just scares me & has ruined a pan or two

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7. 

   Memória said on December 19th, 2009 at 9:23 am

   I tried to make caramels for a get-together a few days ago but messed them up because of my candy thermometer…I think. maybe I should have waited longer… I don't know. I have since thrown that thermometer away and bought a new one yesterday, so I'll have to try my hand at caramels again.

   Your caramels are lovely.

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