Lovely Light Caramels Food

CHOCOLATE COVERED CARAMELS

Steps:

• Over medium heat, bring first 3 ingredients to a boil in a saucepan; cook for 7 minutes, without stirring.
• Stir in condensed milk, and bring back to boil. Cook, stirring constantly until a candy thermometer reaches 245.
• Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.
• Pour into lightly greased 8x8 greased baking dish.
• Let stand 8 hours at room temperature.
• Cut caramel into 1/2 inch squares. If you like, you can shape into balls. (I skipped the shaping).
• Melt chocolate and shortening or paraffin in saucepan over medium heat. (I melted mine in the microwave for about 1-1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds). Remove from heat.
• Dip balls into melted chocolate mixture; place on greased sheet. Chill 8 hours.

LOVELY LIGHT CARAMELS

Steps:

• In a heavy sauce pan stir together the sugar, karo and 1 c of cream.
• Cook on medium to medium high stirring almost constantly till it reaches about 235 degrees on a candy thermometer. To test, place cold water in a cup and drop about 1 teaspoon of the mixture into it.if the mixture can be formed into a soft ball with your fingers it is ready.
• While stirring constantly add the other cup of cream very slowly. Cook till temp reaches bout 235 again.
• Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. If you desire nuts stir the in now.
• Pour into a lightly buttered 9 by 9.
• Allow to cool.
• Cut into squares and wrap in wax paper or keep in pan and cover with plastic .

SOFT CHEWY CARAMELS

Steps:

• Line a 15x10x1-in. pan with foil; grease the foil with 1 tablespoon butter. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt remaining butter. Add the brown sugar, milk and corn syrup. Cook and stir until candy thermometer reads 250° (hard-ball stage). , Pour into prepared pan (do not scrape saucepan). Cool completely before cutting.

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.

CREAM CARAMELS

Steps:

• Butter a square 8X8 pan.
• Combine sugar, corn syrup, butter and half of the cream in a large heavy saucepan.
• Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Stir in remaining cream.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to 245 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
• (Be patient. This takes a while, but to achieve the correct consistency you don't want to reach this point to quickly.) Immediately spread mixture evenly in prepared pan.
• Cool.
• Cut into 1 inch squares.
• I wrap caramels individually in wax paper strips and refrigerate.
• If candy sets up to hard in the refrigerator, just allow to set at room temp for about 30 minutes, and it is ready to eat.

LOVELY LISA'S SWEET AND SALTY CARAMEL POPCORN

Steps:

• Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Measure baking soda and vanilla extract into separate small bowls; set aside.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan; add popcorn, cover, and cook, shaking often, until fully popped, about 5 minutes. Transfer popcorn to a large roasting pan using a strainer or your hands, leaving unpopped kernels in the saucepan. Distribute chopped licorice and broken pretzels evenly over popcorn.
• Bring the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and cream of tartar to a boil in a heavy pot, stirring constantly. Place a candy thermometer into the caramel mixture, and continue boiling, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches 265 degrees F (129 degrees C), about 10 minutes.
• Remove caramel from heat. Stir vanilla and baking soda into the caramel; it will foam and rise slightly. Pour hot caramel over popcorn mixture, stirring gently to coat evenly. Spread the popcorn mixture loosely onto the prepared baking sheets. Season to taste with sea salt; set aside to cool, about 20 minutes.
• Break popcorn mixture into chunks. Store in airtight bags or containers.

VEGAN CARAMELS

Steps:

• Grease and line with parchment a 8 inch x 8 inch baking pan.
• Place all ingredients (except vanilla) in a large saucepan (4qt minimum capacity.).
• Bring ingredients to a boil stirring often.
• Cook over medium heat while stirring until candy reaches 245 degrees F.
• Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into lined baking pan.
• Allow to cool completely. Snip into pieces using clean kitchen shears (or slice with a knife).
• Wrap individually with waxed or parchment paper.
• Makes ~100 pieces.
• Variation: Cook to 230 degrees F and add vanilla. Pour into a glass jar. Warm jar in a pan of hot water before pouring over ice cream or cake.