We're back from our SMS hiatus this week and ready to get baking in the New Year! This week's recipe was selected by Jeanette of The Whimsical Cupcake: chocolate cream caramels. I don't make candy often, but the few times I have made it, I've had decent luck so it's not something I fear. With that said, I was thankful for what I considered a fairly simple recipe to ease back into things this week! I even made these ahead of time on Wednesday night instead of waiting for Saturday or Sunday as I typically do.
Here's how simple it is to make these caramels: combine corn syrup, sugar, honey, cream, salt and butter in a saucepan (did all of the corn syrup, sugar and heavy cream in this recipe make anyone else cringe?), cook to 248 F (the firm-ball stage), then add chopped chocolate and vanilla before pouring into a pan to set. I made half of the recipe in the book and used a loaf pan instead of an 8 x 8 pan and it worked perfectly. I only wish the recipe had provided a time estimate to indicate how long it would take for the caramel to reach temperature. Mine took quite a while (15-20 minutes) and as the minutes passed I couldn't help but wonder if it was supposed to take so long.
After pouring the caramel into the loaf pan, I stuck the pan out on our deck on what was a really cold night and it set up in no time. I found that I needed to leave the caramel at room temperature for a bit before it became possible to cut it into squares. I have to confess that I don't really like caramels and even the addition of chocolate wasn't enough to make these appealing to me. I did try one and the texture and flavor were good, but just not my thing. I haven't had a chance to share the caramels with anyone else yet but I'm going to send most of them to work with Shane on Monday so hopefully his coworkers are caramel fans!
Thanks to Jeanette for a simple, yet fun, pick this week! You can find the recipe on her blog later today or in the book. Stop by the SMS site to see how the other bakers fared this week too.
If you haven't done so yet, don't forget to enter my giveaway - details here!
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24 comments:
Your caramels look lovely! We loved this recipe. I made mine in December and used them for goodie bags for work.
YUM!!
Lovely, lovely photos. Do these come in just caramel flavor? Just wondering. You really have a way of making things look so good.
Your caramels are beautiful! They look so rich and fudgey.
Don't you love using the good ole outdoors for a refrigerator! I have done that so many times this winter!
Your caramels turned outs looking perfect. I hope your coworkers enjoy them. Im not much of a caramel fan either..but my problem is if it's sweet and it's in the house ..I WILL EAT IT!!
Your caramels look fantastic! Good call on using the little wrappers - they're pretty sticky. I felt the same way about needing a time estimate; it felt like I was over the hot stove for quite a while.
wow, these looked so professional. YUM! For me, it just wasn't as chocolately as I thought it would have been so it was a kind of disappointment...on some levels.
I felt like I was standing over the stove forever, too. I think it took both of us about the same amount of time. And, might I add, you're so smart to use those candy cups as wrappers. They're so sophisticated and pretty.
Your photos are just amazing! Love them! I also set things out on the back deck to cool. :) Your caramels look so good. I am beginning to be sorry I didn't do this recipe!
Your caramels look really nice. Funny we both used paper cups (the thought of individually wrapping them almost made me skip this week's recipe, ha ha). Too bad you didn't like them as much. My hubby is not big on caramel but he liked these.
Beautiful caramels... What a perfect treat!
Those caramels look gorgeous! I'm sorry you didn't like them, but you did a beautiful job! I think I may make these today!
they look great- sorry they weren't your cup of tea. Mine turned out horribly!
I meant to make these yesterday, but I wasn't in a caramel making mood. Now that I know they are easy, I'll have to give them a shot.
I'm glad they were good, even if caramels aren't your thing. Happy New Year!
Oh, this would be very dangerous around here.
yum yum yum...they look great!
Perfect caramels! Yours look so good, sorry you aren't a caramel fan. I sent all of mine to work with DH.
beautiful!! your caramels are bite-size bits of perfection..stunning! x
My caramel took forever to get to 248. Your photos are fabulous, as usual!
These look so good! I love caramels and seeing all the good things you're making from this book is pushing me to add it to my collection.
I think your caramels actually steal the show :) I gotta get some photography tips from you!
Thanks for "baking" along with me. I knooooow I'm slow on the commenting lately but I promise I'll catch up in no time.
Too bad you weren't a huge fan because they look really tastey.
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