Caramels I Food

CARAMELS

Steps:

• Grease a 12x15 inch pan.
• In a medium-size pot, combine sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, evaporated milk, whipping cream, and butter. Monitor the heat of the mixture with a candy thermometer while stirring. When the thermometer reaches 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) remove the pot from the heat.
• Stir in vanilla. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan and let the mixture cool completely. When cooled cut the Carmel into small squares and wrap them in wax paper for storage.

MICROWAVE CARAMELS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients.
• Cook 6 minutes, stirring every two minutes.
• Stir and pour into lightly greased dish.
• Let cool.
• Cut, wrap in wax paper & store in air tight container.

CREAMY CARAMELS

Steps:

• Line an 8-in. square pan with foil; grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter and set aside., In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and remaining butter; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil slowly for 4 minutes without stirring., Remove from the heat; stir in milk. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage), stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla., Pour into prepared pan (do not scrape saucepan). Cool. Using foil, lift candy out of pan. Discard foil; cut candy into 1-in. squares. Wrap individually in waxed paper; twist ends.

CARAMELS I

Steps:

• Butter a 9x13 inch dish.
• In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, 1 cup cream and butter. Bring to a boil, stirring often, then stir in remaining 1 cup cream. Heat, without stirring, to 242 degrees F (116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a firm but pliable ball. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and pour into prepared dish. Refrigerate.
• When cool, return candies to room temperature then cut into 1 inch squares and wrap in waxed paper.

CARAMELS

Steps:

• Grease bottom and sides of square baking dish, 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inches, with butter.
• Heat all ingredients to boiling in heavy 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook about 35 minutes, stirring frequently, to 245°F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into cup of very cold water forms a firm ball that holds its shape until pressed. Immediately spread in baking dish. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
• Cut into 8 rows by 8 rows, using kitchen scissors or sharp knife. Wrap individually in waxed paper or plastic wrap. Store wrapped candies in airtight container at room temperature.

HOW TO MAKE SALTED CARAMELS

Steps:

• Use softened unsalted butter to grease an 8x8 pan. Cut two strips of parchment paper to fit the pan, leaving an overhang on each side and buttering each piece. Set aside. Combine sugar, heavy cream, corn syrup, salted butter, and fine sea salt in a 3-quart saucepan. Stirring frequently, cook on medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture starts to boil. Clip on a candy thermometer. Continue cooking and stirring until the temperature reaches 245ºF. (This will take about 30 minutes.) Lower the heat as needed to prevent bubbling over. As soon as the mixture reaches 245ºF, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla bean paste (see note). Immediately pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the fleur de sel over the top. Let the caramels set for at least two hours and up to overnight. Lift the caramel out of the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into pieces using kitchen shears. Wrap individual caramels in pieces of waxed paper. Store at room temperature. Note: To make chocolate caramels, omit the vanilla bean paste. Stir together 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract with 1/4 teaspoon espresso powder. Add this mixture plus 3 ounces melted unsweetened chocolate in place of the vanilla bean paste.

HOMEMADE CARAMELS

Steps:

• Line a 9x13'' pan or jelly roll pan with parchment paper. (If you don't have parchment paper you can generously butter the pan.) Either size pan will work--9x13'' will yield thicker caramels.
• Add 2 sticks butter, sugar, and karo syrup to a large heavy-bottom saucepan over medium heat. Stir over medium heat until mixture begins to boil, about 5-10 minutes.
• Gradually add the evaporated milk, one can at a time, taking about 12-15 minutes PER CAN to slowly add it, while stirring constantly. You want to make sure the mixture maintains a constant boil, otherwise your caramels can curdle.
• Stir the mixture constantly, scraping the sides occasionally until it reaches a firm ball stage (about 240-245 degrees F on a candy thermometer). It takes patience and time, but it's sooo worth it! (Also, I don't really trust or rely on a candy thermometer--I like to test it the old fashioned way. Drop a spoonful of hot caramel sauce into a cup of ice water and mold it with your fingers into a ball. When ready it will feel pretty firm and pliable, but still slightly sticky.)
• Once you reach 240-245 degrees F / or the firm ball stage, remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.
• Pour caramels into prepared pan. Refrigerate until cooled and hardened. (Best if you refrigerate them overnight, or for several hours. They will be easier to cut and wrap).
• The caramel will seem hard in the fridge after they're set, but they should be soft at room temperature. Cut caramel into small pieces and, if desired, wrap like a tootsie roll in wax paper.
• Try these dipped in chocolate or pretzel rods.

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.

CARAMEL RICE KRISPIES

Steps:

• Melt caramels, milk and butter together over a low heat. Mix well.
• Remove from heat and stir in cereal until completely coated in the caramel mixture.
• Quickly press into a greased 9" square pan and chill until sets. Cut into squares to serve.

UNKNOWNCHEF86'S MICROWAVE SOFT VANILLA CARAMELS

Steps:

• Note: If possible, recruit an extra person or two to help cut and wrap the caramels. It can be done on your own with no real problem, but extra hands make the job easier. If you are doing the wrapping and cutting on your own, I would advise doing it in stages: cut all the wax paper squares, then cut the caramel into individual pieces, then wrap them according to directions. Rinse your hands occasionally with hot water, then towel-dry, to remove any residual stickiness.
• Butter an 8x8 inch pan. Line the pan with foil, folding any excess over the outside edges; set aside.
• Mix the butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in a microwave-safe glass bowl or measuring cup. I use my 4 cup Pyrex measuring cup or my 8 cup Pampered Chef measuring/mixing bowl, both of which have a handle.
• Microwave on high for two minutes.
• Stir mixture and return to microwave for two minutes longer.
• Add 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk and stir well.
• Microwave three and a half more minutes.
• Remove from microwave and stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla.
• Pour into prepared pan, scraping any residual caramel from the sides of the bowl. Be careful not to touch the caramel, as getting a sugar burn would put a real damper on your day.
• Set aside and let cool to room temperature.
• While the caramels are cooling, cut the wax paper squares; set aside. Note that the number of servings is dependent on how large/small you cut the caramels.
• When the caramel is cooled, remove foil liner from the pan via the foil "wings" folded over the top of the pan.
• Cut into approximately 1 inch squares with a well-buttered knife or dough scraper, being careful not to cut through the foil.
• Butter your hands well, then place one caramel in the middle of a wax paper square. Roll it into a cylinder, then twist the ends.
• Store the wrapped candies in a cool, dry place.