Homemade Caramel Recipes

History
Caramel is the most delicious decadent sticky treat that turns a good dessert into a GREAT dessert. The original word Caramelo literally means “burnt sugar”. 

Caramel originated in the south of France in the 1700s. Caramel recipes became a popular treat in France. The French are known for having a keen culinary sense and the taste of caramel crème is evidence of this. The first caramel was simply cooked sugar.

The use of caramel spread throughout Europe and the Americas. The French used caramel to fill crepes and chocolates. Other nations fell in love with caramel as well, and they used it as a topping for fruit and nuts. Caramel is simple to make, but it does take a patient hand to make a homemade caramel recipe.

Below is a succulent caramel recipe that you can try at home. I am sure that your family will love it. Make sure that you use fresh ingredients! Tell us what you think about it.

HOMEMADE CARAMEL BITES

Ingredients
1 quart of cream
½ cup sugar
½ tablespoon of corn syrup
¼ cup chopped nuts (optional)
Teaspoon of vanilla
Pinch of salt

Tools
Saucepan
Spatula
Measuring spoons
Measuring cups
Baking dish

Place cream in a 2 qt saucepan and bring to a boil continuously stir.
Once the cream is boiling add sugar to the cream.
Stir it in well until it is evenly distributed and melted.
Then add in the corn syrup.
The key to this recipe is to stir and stir often.
Now you have the option to add nuts or just make caramel bites without nuts.
If you do add nuts stir the mixture to distribute the nuts.
Now place pour in the vanilla
Put in the pinch of salt
Stir
Pour the hot mixture into a baking dish
Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap
Place in refrigerator
Once it hardens roll it
Cut into bite size pieces.
Serve

Making Caramel
Caramel can burn fairly easy to the point that it will negatively alter the flavor of your candy. It is important that when making caramel that you cook it on a low heat. You should not rush any homemade caramel recipe. You will waste your time and money if you do try to rush it because it will burn. Take your time.  Be very cautious. This treat can be treacherous if you get a splash of it on your skin while cooking.

Contemporary Use
As time progressed the list for caramel ingredients grew. No longer does caramel only contain sugar. Now it has a variety of dairy products and additional sweeteners as you can see in the recipe above. Today you can find caramel everywhere including various candy bars. Caramel is also used for toppings for many desserts, including ice cream, cheesecake, apples, and even in iced coffee drinks. There are so many ways that you can enjoy caramel. The possibilities are endless. You can make caramel lollipops if you would like. I personally love to chop up a granny smith apple and cover it in caramel dip. The caramel dip that is readily available islocated at the link below.
http://litehousefoods.stores.yahoo.net/premcarapdip.html

or if you would like to make it at home check out this recipe http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/424/Caramel_Topping12190.shtml

Hope you enjoy caramel as much as I do.

Happy Candy Making!

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