Charlotte's Caramels

Serves: 3

Jonathan Flatley

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

43

Spice

42

Sweetness

57

Sourness

41

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 tbsp

Butter

1 cup

Heavy Cream

2 cups

Sugar

1 cup

Water

1 tsp

Salt

Directions:

1

Spray bottom and sides of a 9 by 11-inch baking pan with vegetable oil or rub with 1 tablespoon butter

2

In a small heavy saucepan, combine cream, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk

3

Set aside to warm later

4

In a large, heavy saucepan, combine corn syrup, sugar, water, and salt

5

Over high heat, cook until sugar is dissolved, about 6 to 8 minutes, brushing down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to remove any sugar crystals

6

Stop stirring, insert candy thermometer, reduce heat to medium and let come to a boil

7

Cook, without stirring, until temperature reaches 250 degrees F (hard-ball stage), about 45 to 60 minutes

8

Meanwhile, place cream and milk mixture over low heat and stir until warm

9

Do not boil

10

When sugar reaches 250 degrees F, stir in the warm cream and the pieces of butter

11

Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until thermometer reaches 244 degrees (firm ball stage), 45 to 60 minutes

12

Stir in vanilla

13

Immediately pour into prepared pan without scraping pot

14

Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours without moving

15

This is the most difficult part, as you will want to eat it! To cut into candies, coat a cutting board or marble slab generously with vegetable oil spray

16

Unmold caramel by turning upside down onto oiled surface

17

Cut into 1-inch by 1 1/2-inch pieces with a very sharp, heavy knife

18

Wrap with precut waxed paper squares, twisting ends to seal

19

If you don't wrap them, the caramel pieces will stick together

20

Options: Add nuts to bottom of pan and pour caramel over nuts

21

Cut as above

22

Or, pour caramel onto pieces of cut up fruit such as apples or pears