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.
These caramels looks so gorgeous. I have a candy thermometer….just have to go and find it. Thanks for sharing.
Lovely caramels!
Cheers,
Rosa
me too me too!
My favorite holiday treat is shortbread that has been covered in pecans and then caramel. So good!
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.
Oh dear. I may have to make these. Don't I have enough fattening things around?? But I cannot resist caramels!
I would so like to make my own caramels but for some reason sugar & heat just scares me & has ruined a pan or two
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.
[...] it’s caramel. We have a love/hate relationship. I love homemade caramel. And when it works for me, I’m on cloud 9. But it is one of those things that is never very consistent for [...]