Basic Caramel Recipes

BASIC CARAMEL

Steps:

• Pour 1/2 cup water into a medium (2- to 3-quart) heavy-bottom saucepan. Add sugar. Cook over medium heat, gently stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and syrup is clear.
• Continue to cook, without stirring, until the syrup comes to a boil, washing down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush two or three times to prevent crystals from forming. Let syrup boil, gently swirling pan occasionally, until medium amber. Remove from heat.

EASY CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix the brown sugar, half-and-half, butter and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook while whisking gently for 5 to 7 minutes, until it gets thicker. Add the vanilla and cook another minute to thicken further. Turn off the heat, cool slightly and pour the sauce into a jar. Refrigerate until cold.

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.

OH-SO-EASY CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring brown sugar, butter, and milk to a gentle boil and cook until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat; add vanilla extract.

EASY CREME CARAMEL

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 325°F.
• In a medium skillet, combine 1/2 cup of sugar with the water and cook over high heat until deep a deep amber color (about 4 min), swirling the pan occasionally.
• Immediately pour the caramel into an 8-by-4 1/2-by-3in metal loaf pan.
• Make sure you evenly coat the bottom.
• Let caramel harden.
• In a bowl, whisk the remaining (1/2 c.) of sugar, the milk, cream, eggs, and egg yolks.
• Pour custard into the pan with hardened caramel.
• Set this pan in a small baking dish and add enough water in baking dish to reach halfway up the side of the pan.
• Bake for 50 min (or until set around the edges but slightly soft in center).
• Remove pan of custard from baking dish and let cool to room temperature.
• Refrigerate until chilled (at least 4 hours).
• Remove from pan by running a thin knife around the custard and flipping it onto a plate.
• Cut into slices and serve.

EASY CARAMEL

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large pot on medium heat.
• Stir in sugar and corn syrup, mix well.
• Add about 1/5 of the can of evaporated milk, stir until it blends in with the mixture. Keep adding just 1/5 of the can at a time until it's all mixed. Continually stir the mixture making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot.
• Heat the caramel until 230-240°F while continuously stirring.
• Pour onto a greased cookie sheet with sides.
• Let it cool completely. Once fully cooled cut and wrap with wax paper.

CLASSIC CARAMEL CANDIES

Steps:

• Lightly brush bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet with oil. Line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on long sides; lightly brush parchment with oil.
• Bring cream, sugar, butter, and corn syrup to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-high; cook, stirring occasionally, until caramel reaches 248 degrees on a candy thermometer, about 15 minutes.
• Immediately remove caramel from heat, and stir in salt and vanilla. Pour caramel onto baking sheet, and let stand, uncovered, at room temperature at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.
• Lifting by parchment overhang, transfer caramel to a large cutting board. Cut into 3/4-by-1 1/4-inch pieces; wrap each piece in waxed paper or cellophane.