How to Make Irresistibly Sweet and Buttery Hard Caramel Candy at Home

Introduction

If you have a sweet tooth and a love for homemade treats, then making your own hard caramel candy is a delightful and rewarding experience. With just a few simple ingredients and the right technique, you can create mouthwatering hard caramel candies that are perfect for snacking or gifting to loved ones. This recipe promises irresistibly sweet and buttery caramel candies that will have you coming back for more!

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make your own hard caramel candy:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Directions

Follow these simple steps to create delicious hard caramel candy at home:

1. Prepare a 9×9 inch square baking pan by lining it with parchment paper and lightly greasing the paper with butter. Set aside.
2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, butter, heavy cream, and light corn syrup over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar has dissolved.
3. Once the sugar has dissolved, attach a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan, making sure it doesn’t touch the bottom. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the temperature reaches 250°F (hard ball stage).
4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Be cautious as the mixture will bubble up when the vanilla is added.
5. Pour the hot caramel into the prepared baking pan and let it cool at room temperature for several hours or until completely set.
6. Once the caramel is firm, use a sharp knife to cut it into small squares or rectangles. If desired, wrap the individual caramels in wax paper for storage.
7. Your homemade hard caramel candy is now ready to be enjoyed!

FAQ

Q: Can I add nuts or sea salt to the caramel candy?
A: Absolutely! You can customize your hard caramel candy by stirring in chopped nuts such as almonds or pecans before pouring the hot caramel into the pan. You can also sprinkle sea salt on top of the caramel in the pan before it sets for a delicious sweet and salty combination.

Q: How should I store the homemade caramel candy?
A: Store the caramel candies in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer the candies between parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. They will keep for about two weeks, but we doubt they will last that long!

Q: Can I use this caramel recipe to make caramel apples?
A: While this hard caramel candy recipe is specifically designed for making individually wrapped candies, you can certainly use it to coat apples for homemade caramel apples. Just insert sticks into the apples before coating them with the hot caramel and allow them to cool on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

With this easy-to-follow recipe, you can create impressive hard caramel candy that will rival any store-bought confection. Enjoy the rich flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture of these delectable homemade treats!