Those with a serious sweet tooth like caramel candies.Gourmet caramels can be expensive.You can learn how to make delicious homemade candy for yourself or a gift.
Step 1: A heavy-bottom saucepan can be used.
The caramel will be cooked in a four quart saucepan.The temperature can be distributed more evenly with a heavy bottom.Thin saucepans can easily burn caramel because of the isolated areas of heat.
Step 2: The caramel should be tested with a candy specific thermometer.
The caramel will be ruined if sugar can easily burn.You can cook your candy to the ideal temperature with these thermometers.These should be in stock at your local Target, Walmart, or other large supermarket.
Step 3: Stir with a spatula.
Plastic spatulas can burn and melt under high temperatures, so a rubber spatula is ideal for stirring the mixture.spatulas can be useful, but they can easily scratch your saucepan
Step 4: The baking pan is 9 by 13 inches.
Transferring your mixture from the saucepan to this pan is the final step.If you want your candy to be free of rust or caked-on food, you need a high-quality, clean baking pan.
Step 5: To test the mixture, you need a spoon, a bowl, and ice water.
The consistency of the caramel will be assessed with the help of these supplies.It's important to have these at the ready so you don't waste time gathering the materials while the caramel is burning.
Step 6: Medium heat can be turned on the stove's burner.
Two cups of sugar, one and a half sticks of butter, a can of sweetened condensed milk, and one cup of light corn syrup should be poured into the pan after it has heated up.When it reaches a rolling boil, heat the mixture up.
Step 7: Continue to stir!
Allow 10 second intervals between stirs.The sugar will turn into caramel when it starts to melt.Put the candy thermometer in the mixture and wait.You should start testing the mixture at 241 because it's the ideal temperature.
Step 8: The consistency of the mixture should be tested.
To keep an eye on how the mixture is forming, it is important to get a feel for the caramel.The caramel should be strong and soft.The syrup has been over cooked if it is rock hard.Grab your spoon, medium sized bowl filled with ice cold water, and have it ready next to the pan containing the mixture.If you want to get a small sample of the mixture, you have to immerse the spoon in the bowl of water.Take the spoon out of the water and give the mixture a few seconds to cool down.Press down on the cooled caramel to see its consistency.
Step 9: Remove from heat.
It is time to turn the heat off once the mixture reaches the right consistency.Next, add in a small amount of salt and spread it around the mixture.The temperature of the mixture is approximately 72 degrees.
Step 10: The mixture should be spooned into the pan.
Remove the caramel from the bottom of the pan and place it on the baking sheet, making sure to hold it with a pot-holder.Make sure everything is spread evenly in the baking pan.
Step 11: Take your caramel and slice it into pieces.
Cut the caramel into strips with a sharp knife.Use the same knife or pizza cutter to cut the strips into squares.
Step 12: Wrap your candy in a creative way.
It is a good idea to wrap the individual candies if you are giving it as a gift.The wax paper works well as a wrapper.If you want to cover the candy with some extra paper, you have to measure out a small section of the wrapping paper.It's possible to put some in a bowl around your house for snacking.