Inexpensive Caramels Recipes

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.

CARAMELS I

Steps:

• Butter a 9x13 inch dish.
• In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, 1 cup cream and butter. Bring to a boil, stirring often, then stir in remaining 1 cup cream. Heat, without stirring, to 242 degrees F (116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a firm but pliable ball. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and pour into prepared dish. Refrigerate.
• When cool, return candies to room temperature then cut into 1 inch squares and wrap in waxed paper.

CHEWY CARAMEL

Steps:

• In a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. Cook for 2 minutes at that temperature. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla.
• Meanwhile, butter a 9x13 inch baking pan. When the caramel is ready, pour into the buttered pan. Allow to cool completely at room temperature. Remove from the pan and cut into squares using scissors. Wrap individual pieces in waxed paper or cellophane.

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.

INEXPENSIVE CARAMELS

Steps:

• Mix sugar, syrup and 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk.
• Cook over medium heat stirring until all the sugar is dissolved.
• Continue cooking until mixture forms firm ball in cold water.
• BE SURE TO STIR FREQUENTLY!
• Cook approximately 40 minutes.
• Add VERY SLOWLY 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk, butter and salt.
• Continue cooking as above until firm ball.
• Remove from heat.
• Add vanilla.
• Pour into buttered pan to cool.