How to Get More Flavor in Homemade Caramels
Caramel is a candy confection that is produced when sugar has been cooked and caramelized. The sugar melts and becomes a thick, clear liquid that ranges in color from light to deep brown based on how long it's cooked and whichever additions have been added to flavor the caramels. While homemade caramels are fairly simple to make, the process requires some practice. Once you have mastered the basics, you can add other ingredients to make new flavors. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Sea salt
- Spice grinder (optional)
- Mortar and pestle (optional)
- 1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. dark chocolate powder
- 1 tsp. instant espresso or coffee
- Flavored creamer
- Tahitian vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. finely chopped citrus rind
Instructions
-
-
1
Use sea salt that has been finely ground in a grinder or in a mortar and pestle. The sea salt gives homemade caramels more depth and a flavor that regular table salt does not provide.
-
2
Add 1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar per cup of sugar in the recipe to give homemade caramels a slightly acidic flavor similar to citrus.
-
-
3
Add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon to the cream mixture when making homemade caramels. You can use prepackaged ground cinnamon or grind your own in a spice grinder for a fresher, less intense flavor.
-
4
Put 1/2 tsp. dark chocolate powder in the caramel mixture along with the sugar. Blend the dark chocolate powder with the sugar before heating to make sure the mixture is evenly combined.
-
5
Mix the cream with 1 tsp. instant espresso or coffee to make caramels with coffee flavor. You can use more or less instant coffee based on your tastes.
-
6
Replace half of the cream in your caramel recipe with flavored creamer. Avoid flavored creamers that have extremely low fat content. If possible, use flavored creamer made with whole milk, half and half or heavy cream.
-
7
Use high quality Tahitian vanilla extract in your caramels instead of standard vanilla extract. Tahitian vanilla extract is generally more expensive, but it has a much stronger, more intense flavor.
-
8
Add 1/2 tsp. finely chopped citrus fruit rind to the sugar before heating it, making sure they are completely combined for even distribution. Avoid using the white, pithy part of the fruit, which will leave a bitter taste.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
