Welcome to Day #6 of Christmas Week, a multi-blogger event co-hosted by Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic and Jen from Juanita’s Cocina! Each day we will be celebrating the holidays with a different set of Christmas-themed treats, as well as a fabulous Christmas giveaway. We hope you enjoy this fabulous event. Tune in each day starting today, Monday, December 9th and ending Saturday, December 14th.
***Disclaimer: This giveaway is being provided by Cake Boss Baking. #ChristmasWeek bloggers have not received product or been compensated as a part of this giveaway.***
Of all the various kinds of food creation out there, candy making has got to be the hardest. And hence, I only rarely make candy.
I make some pseudo-candies throughout the year, but at Christmas, we have to have homemade caramels.
My family never made homemade caramels, so I learned this tradition from Robb when we were married oh so many years ago. He usually makes the caramels, but in recent years I have been his loyal assistant. This year, I decided to go it alone, the result of which was that I basically ruined an entire batch of caramels.
It was extraordinarily disappointing, to say the least.
I over cooked the candy, and they turned out hard as a rock. Worse than Sugar Daddies. I’m not sure my big kitchen knife will cut them.
I’m telling you this story not to scare you away from candy making. Quite the opposite, actually. I want you to remember that candy making doesn’t always go perfectly, and if your batch doesn’t turn out the way you wanted, try, try again. Practice makes perfect. You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs. All that jazz.
It takes practice. And since I only make caramels once a year, I’m a little rusty. But I’m going to give you all my best tips and tricks here.
Well, Robb’s best tips and tricks, really. He’s much more experienced at caramel making than I.
First, if you have one, use a candy thermometer. The candy should be at a temperature of 248F when you pour it out.
Second, if you don’t have a candy thermometer, you can use the cold-water-in-a-dish method, which is what we usually do.
Here’s how it works. You’ll put all your ingredients in a pot, and stir pretty much constantly for 12-15 minutes. Once you get to the 11-12 minute mark, you can start testing. Drip a little of the caramel into very cold water. Add an ice cube or two to be sure this water is cold. Use your fingers to pinch the caramel into one glob. If the glob is the consistency you want for your caramels, it’s ready. Most likely, it will take a few tries of dripping caramel into water to get to the right consistency.
Remember that once it gets close to reaching its final temperature, it changes consistency very quickly, and the longer it cooks, the harder it gets. A minute or even a few seconds can mean the difference between perfect caramels and caramels that are too soft or too hard to be enjoyed.
Once you get the hang of these caramels, your family will thank you!
Today’s #ChristmasWeek giveaway comes courtesy of Cake Boss Baking. Cake Boss Baking is the new branded bake ware from Buddy Valastro, the talented chef and baker behind the TLC TV show, “Cake Boss”. Cake Boss Baking features a full line of cake pans, decorating tools, dessert plates and more, with product for all levels of expertise.
Cake Boss Baking is offering one #ChristmasWeek reader the opportunity to win a prize package full of baking tools and essentials {ARV: $260}, including:
- 1 Basics 6 Cup Mini Loaf Pan
- 1 Deluxe 11×17 Cookie Pan with Drop Zones
- 1 Professional 3-Piece Cake Stacking Set – Round
- 1 Novelty 12 Cup Molded Cookie Pan – Star
- 1 Novelty 6 Cup Flower Cakelette Pan
- 1 12-Piece Basic Tip Set
- 1 Large 12″ Disposable Icing Bags
- 1 Set of 2 Bowl Scrapers
- 1 10″ Icing Spatula w/ Serrated Edge
- 1 Mechanical Cookie Scoop
- 1 Spoonula/Spatula 2 Piece Set
- 1 Ceramic Tool Crock
- 1 4 Piece Classic Fondant Imprint Mat Set
- 1 Flower Cake Decorating Kit
- 1 “Mini Cakes” Cake Carrier
To enter, read the details and use the Rafflecopter below!
***This giveaway is for one Cake Boss Baking baking essentials prize pack (details listed above)! This giveaway is open to Continental US residents only . When the contest concludes, the winner will be chosen by random draw. The winner will be notified through e-mail and they will have 3 days to respond or another winner will be chosen.***
More great candies you might enjoy:
 HomemadeGumdrops |
 PretzelToffee |
 MintSandwiches |
- 1 cup butter
- 2¼ cups (or 1 pound) firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- Using a heavy saucepan, melt butter.
- Add brown sugar, corn syrup, and milk, and stir to combine.
- Continue cooking over medium high heat, stirring almost constantly, for about 12-15 minutes, until temperature reaches firm ball stage, about 248F / 119C.
- Pour into a 9x13 pan which has been either lined with parchment paper or heavily buttered.
- Let cool until completely set, about 3-4 hours. Cut into pieces and wrap in wax paper.
More Christmas Week Recipes you might enjoy:
- How To Make Perfect Gingerbread People by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cobbler by Juanita’s Cocina
- S’mores Fudge by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Cherry Noir Noel by Noshing With The Nolands
- Japanese Blondies by Ninja Baking
- Peanut Brittle by Food Lust People Love
- Elf Nibbles by Dizzy Busy and Hungry
- Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies with Salted Caramel by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Gingerbread Men Cookies by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
- Mint Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookie Bars by Mom’s Test Kitchen
- Penuche by Cooking In Stilettos
- Triple Orange Biscotti by Liv Life
- Homemade Caramels by Jen’s Favorite Cookies
- Kerstol (Dutch Christmas Bread) by The Dutch Baker’s Daughter
- Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Tropical Toffee Brittle by Home Cooking Memories
- Chocolate Raspberry Linzer Cookies by Pineapple and Coconut
- Lemon-Pistachio and White Chocolate Biscotti by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
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Oh man these look insanely delicious!
I have always wanted to conquer homemade caramels! You’ve inspired me to get over my fear.
Happy day #6!
I would love to make a Red Velvet cake with this.
I’d make cookies!
I’ve never made caramels from scratch before! These look yummy though, I might have to give them a try!
I cannot wait to make these for my family!! thank you!!
I think I might just have to dip these in chocolate. They look delicious!
Would love to try to make the recipes on your blog! thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to make cupcakes
I’ve always wanted to make caramel!! Love this!
I saw these beauties floating around pinterst and the photo leaped off the page!! I’ve never actually made caramels myself, but this is something I need in my life!!
I’d try to make a layer cake!
Oh my gosh, these look so amazing. I need these in my life right now. Love all the photos.
I am so happy you joined us for Christmas Week. You made a perfection addition to the CW crew. xx
These caramels look awesome! I think I would like to make Elephant Ear Cookies if I were to win 🙂
Almond cookies!
I’m loving the process photos, especially the one of you(?) pouring 🙂
These are gorgeous!! Such a colorful and festive Christmas cookie. I love ‘em!
I would love to make some more Christmas cookies and goodies with this baker’s set! Chocolate chip cookies are always the first to go and are always needed around Christmas!
I’d like to bake and decorate flower cakelettes using the flower cakelette pan!
yIKES! Just started making the caramels & it doesn’t say when to add the fanilla! at the end or wth the sugar, milk & butter???
I would love to make a german chocolate cake!
Making these today!! They look totally FAB!!
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