Caramels Recipe

Caramels

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
• 1⁄2 cup whipping cream
• 1 ounce shortening
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Directions: 

1. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with nonstick paper. The pan may be smaller for thicker pieces; the ideal depth is about 3⁄4 inches.
2. Combine the sugar, corn syrup, evaporated milk, cream, shortening, and salt in a 4- to 5- quart saucepan. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon to blend and to ensure that the sugar dissolves.
3. When the batch comes to a boil (about 25 minutes), the batch will boil up in the pot due to the milk and cream. Use a pot of water and a pastry brush to wash sugar crystals down the inside of the pot and clip a thermometer on the side of the pot, being sure that the tip doesn’t touch the bottom of the pot. Continue to boil over low heat.
4. After the ingredients boil up, they boil back down to the cooking level. This process takes about 10 minutes. Stir continuously after the batch lowers, and do not allow it to scorch.
5. When the batch reaches 234 degrees (after about another 15 minutes of boiling), remove it from the heat and remove the thermometer.
6. Pour the batch into the baking pan and let the mixture cool for 1 hour at room temperature.
7. Cut the batch into 3⁄4-inch squares, which makes about 75 pieces.