It’s Caramel Season Again

Every year Priscilla and I make our delicious caramels together. It’s a tradition we have been continuing for many years. We will make our first batch of the season together on Saturday. But I started early, since I always make a bunch of different batches. I made my first batch yesterday, and it is a new flavor too.

This year’s new caramel flavor is peach pecan.

I had some peaches in my freezer that I needed to use, and I thought why not put them into some caramel. I haven’t cut them yet. I will do that today. After making the caramel, it always has to sit for about a day to set before cutting it. I tested it earlier this morning, and it is set well. It’s ready to cut.

I chopped up my pecans and added them to the bottom of my baking dish that I buttered, sprayed with cooking spray and lined with parchment paper, that I also sprayed with cooking spray.

The Basic Caramel Recipe

These proportions make a double batch, and fill a 9×13 baking pan.

1 lb butter

4 cups sugar

4 cups Karo dark syrup

4 cups heavy whipping cream, divided

Put everything in a LARGE pot, except only use 1/2 the cream at first. Stir constantly, in a figure 8 method, until the caramel reaches it’s first boil and reaches 235* F or 113*C.

Turn off the heat and mix in the rest of the cream. This is also the time to add the other ingredients if you are getting creative and/or adventurous.

Turn on the heat once again and bring to the second boil at 235*F, once again stirring constantly. Once you reach 235*F the second time, turn off the heat and carefully pour the caramel mixture into your prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for about 24 hours before slicing it.

After lots of trials and tribulations, Priscilla and I have mastered our caramel making technique and the recipe. The basic recipe and technique are the same. Once the basics are mastered, you can play around with it however you like for all the added touches and specialty flavors.

The peach pecan caramel is my first batch of quite a few more yet to come for this season. Stay tuned and bring your sweet tooth. 🙂

Have a great day and make everyday great, no matter what you do. Live life to the fullest and enjoy the ride and all the adventures that come your way your while you can. ‘Til next time.