CHARLOTTE'S CARAMELS

Charlotte's Caramels image

Provided by Food Network

Categories dessert

Time 2h17m

Yield About 70 caramels

Number Of Ingredients 11

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1 tablespoon butter or vegetable oil cooking spray
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 cups light corn syrup
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Optional: 1/2 to 1 cup nuts (walnuts, peanuts, almonds), apples

Steps:

Spray bottom and sides of a 9 by 11-inch baking pan with vegetable oil or rub with 1 tablespoon butter. In a small heavy saucepan, combine cream, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk. Set aside to warm later.
In a large, heavy saucepan, combine corn syrup, sugar, water, and salt. Over high heat, cook until sugar is dissolved, about 6 to 8 minutes, brushing down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to remove any sugar crystals. Stop stirring, insert candy thermometer, reduce heat to medium and let come to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until temperature reaches 250 degrees F (hard-ball stage), about 45 to 60 minutes.
Meanwhile, place cream and milk mixture over low heat and stir until warm. Do not boil.
When sugar reaches 250 degrees F, stir in the warm cream and the pieces of butter. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until thermometer reaches 244 degrees (firm ball stage), 45 to 60 minutes. Stir in vanilla. Immediately pour into prepared pan without scraping pot. Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours without moving. This is the most difficult part, as you will want to eat it!
To cut into candies, coat a cutting board or marble slab generously with vegetable oil spray. Unmold caramel by turning upside down onto oiled surface. Cut into 1-inch by 1 1/2-inch pieces with a very sharp, heavy knife. Wrap with precut waxed paper squares, twisting ends to seal. If you don't wrap them, the caramel pieces will stick together.