Caramel Coating Recipes

CARAMEL-COATED SPICED NUTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat egg whites and water until foamy. Add the almonds, pecans and cashews; stir gently to coat. Combine the brown sugar, pie spice and pepper; add to nut mixture and stir gently to coat., Spread into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 325° for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool. Store in an airtight container.

CARAMEL COATING

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with cold water, and set aside. Place sugar and distilled water in a medium saucepan set over low heat; stir, dissolving sugar. Increase heat to medium high; bring sugar to a boil. Using a ladle, remove any scum that surfaces. Add corn syrup, and return to a boil.
• Dip a pastry brush in water, and wash down the sides of the pan. Continue cooking sugar until light golden brown in color and a candy thermometer registers 340 degrees, about 18 minutes. Place the pan in cold water 5 seconds. Remove the pan from water, and let the sugar thicken slightly, about 5 minutes, before using. If caramel starts to harden while working, set over low heat for a few minutes.

CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Remove the stem from each apple and press a craft stick into the top. Butter a baking sheet.
• Place caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl, and microwave 2 minutes, stirring once. Allow to cool briefly.
• Roll each apple quickly in caramel sauce until well coated. Place on prepared sheet to set.

CARAMEL-COATED BRIE

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath. Heat sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling, until sugar dissolves. Cook, swirling and brushing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush (to preventsugar crystals from forming), until dark amber. Immediately dip bottom of pan in ice-water bath to stop the cooking.
• Place brie on a serving platter. Dip pecans into caramel using chopsticks; arrange around edge of brie. Rewarm remaining caramel if needed, and pour over top, swirling to coat and drip down sides. Let stand until hardened. Crack caramel with a knife to serve.

CARAMEL FROSTING I

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, and mix in 3 tablespoons milk and brown sugar. Boil vigorously for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat, and beat in 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Cool slightly, and beat in the vanilla and remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Add more milk if the mixture is too thick.

CARAMEL COLORING

Steps:

• Place brown sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a heavy pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved and starts to take on a deep brown color. Do not burn the sugar.
• Add boiling water, little by little and stirring constantly. Be careful; the sugar syrup is very hot and can cause painful burns if it erupts over the pan. Continue cooking and stirring until the caramel has reduced somewhat and reached a slightly syrupy consistency.