Homemade Caramels ~ An Easy and Favorite Holiday Candy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to cut homemade caramels? ›

The best way to cut the caramels is when they are cold from the fridge. Use a super sharp knife, and mark out your cuts before you make them. I find it easiest to cut the whole pan into strips first with vertical cuts, then make the four horizontal cuts.

Make Ahead and Storing Instructions: homemade caramels will keep well in the fridge, covered or wrapped, for several weeks.

Cut waxed paper for caramel wrappers -

In general the paper sold for home use is too light weight, the grain of the paper isn't made to withstand twisting (it tears), and the wax coating is too light to prevent the moisture from the candy from seaping into the paper and weakening it thus causing it to tear and stick.

Add acid. Acid ingredients (like vinegar or lemon juice) can help prevent re-crystallization which causes caramel to become grainy. Acid physically breaks the bonds between the glucose and fructose molecules that form sucrose and ensure that it stays apart.

Protect truffles, caramels, and nougats from dampness by wrapping them individually in clear plastic wrap. Chocolate candies will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Caramels can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Store popcorn balls this way, too, but consume within one week for the best quality.

Spread hot caramel to the edges of the pan and allow to cool to room temperature. Wrap with plastic wrap (or put on the lid if your pans are lidded) and store all day or overnight in the fridge.

* Caramel: When stored properly at room temperature and away from the heat and light, caramel candy can last six to nine months -- and even up to a year in some cases.

This sweet sauce can be left out at room temperature for a few days, but because of the dairy incorporated into the sauce, it's best kept refrigerated. Plus, popping it in the fridge will keep your caramel sauce fresher for longer.

You can also store your caramels in the freezer in a container or bag to further extend their shelf life; there, they will last as long as a year. If you do so, however, be sure to protect your teeth by letting them warm up to room temperature before eating.

Why are homemade caramels hard? ›

Temperature is key when making candy. The difference between a soft caramel and one that's hard and overcooked is all in the temperature. Candy thermometers—like this instant-read thermometer—let you know exactly what stage the caramel is in (thread, soft-ball, firm-ball, hard-ball, soft crack or hard crack).

Crystallization may be prevented by adding an interferent, such as acid (lemon, vinegar, tartaric, etc.) or glucose or corn syrup, during the boiling procedure.

Some form of dairy — typically butter and/or heavy cream — is usually added to the mixture at either the beginning or the end of cooking. This addition makes the caramel richer, thicker, and lighter in color, lending more viscosity and rounder flavor.

Parchment and wax paper are both good options when making fudge, caramel, and candy. Both parchment and wax paper will do an excellent job lining pans, wrapping individual pieces, or creating barriers between layers when storing—the differences between the two papers for use with confections are minimal.

After the caramels have set, use a sharp, buttered knife to cut it into squares. For gift giving, wrap each square into a piece of parchment paper, twisting the ends in opposite directions.

Start by wrapping them individually in wax paper, twisting the ends to close, then storing them on their own in an airtight container in a cool, dry area of your kitchen. This will create a waterproof seal around the candies. At room temperature, soft caramel candies will last for as long as nine months.

And after many batches, we settled on our beloved recipe that we still use today after six years. I began by rolling our individual caramels in cellophane (a type of plastic) wrap. Partially I used this material because it's what I was used to, it's what the chocolatier that I studied under had used.