Aunt Elizabeths Caramels Food

AUNT PITTYPAT'S CARAMEL ICING

Steps:

• Combine sugars and milk and bring to the boil, stirring gently.
• Boil without stirring, until a little mixture forms a very soft ball when dropped in cold water.
• Add butter, remove from heat and cool until lukewarm.
• Beat at medium speed until thick, creamy, and of a consistency to spread.
• If necessary, place over hot water to keep soft while spreading, or beat in a little milk.
• This will fill and frost a 2-layer 9 inch cake.

AUNT GISELE'S CARAMEL COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 15 1/2 by 10 1/2 by 1-inch jelly roll pan; set aside.
• Combine the butter, yolks, sugar, cinnamon and flour and mix until you form a cohesive ball of dough. Spread the dough onto the prepared jelly roll pan and bake for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile cook the almonds, sugar, butter, honey and milk, stirring on occasion, until the mixture is light golden.
• Remove baked dough; spread almonds mixture over the top and bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer until dark golden. Cool and cut into squares or rectangles (be sure to cut the cookies before they turn too hard.)

CARAMELS

Steps:

• Combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, cream, condensed milk, corn syrup and salt in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the mixture reaches 245 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Take from the heat and stir in the butter. Pour into a 6-inch square baking pan lined with parchment and allow to cool and set about 3 hours.
• Take the caramel from the pan and, using a very sharp knife gently sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, cut the caramels into squares and wrap in wax paper or candy wrappers (see Cook's Note). Store in a cool dry place.

AUNT JANE'S CARAMEL CORN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
• Butter the sides and bottom of a large roaster.
• Pop popcorn (air popper works best) and place in buttered roaster.
• Melt butter (do not use margarine) in a large sauce pan. Add white corn syrup, brown sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add vanilla and baking soda. The soda will make the syrup foamy and thick.
• Pour over popcorn in batches, mixing thoroughly with wooden spoons between batches.
• Bake in pre-heated oven for 30 minutes stirring every 10 minutes. Pour baked corn onto baking sheets and separate. Store in plastic bags.