Caramel Color Recipes

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.

PEANUT CARAMELS

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Prepare a 9-by-9-inch pan by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
• Combine the corn syrup, cream, milk, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar is melted and the mixture is smooth. Wash down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent sugar crystals from forming.
• Insert a candy thermometer and bring the candy to a boil. Stirring occasionally, cook the caramel to 240 F (soft-ball stage).
• Once the candy has reached the proper temperature, remove it from the heat and immediately stir in the peanuts.
• Pour the candy into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer.
• Allow the mixture to set for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
• Once the caramel has set, cut it into small squares to serve.

FRUIT CARAMEL

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until it all melts into a light gold syrup, 5 to 6 minutes. Continue to cook to a golden brown color, about 1 minute more. Carefully add the fruit all at once and reduce the heat to medium-low. The hot syrup may bubble and become foamy.
• Continue to cook, stirring constantly until any hard clumps of caramel dissolve and the fruit pieces soften and break down, about 4 minutes. Stir in the salt and heavy cream until there are no white streaks then remove from heat. Transfer to a bowl and use immediately, or cool and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Serve warm as a topping for ice cream, pies or tarts, or use as a caramel filling for layered cake or trifles. If cold, reheat gently in a small saucepan over low heat.

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.