April 5th, 2024 is National Caramel Day!

Oh, yummy caramel! It can be used as a topping, a filling, an ingredient, and even in drinks! My favorite way to enjoy caramel is the plain old homemade kind that comes from my great-great grandma's recipe! My mom made them every year at Christmas for everyone and they became known as "Christmas in wax paper." They were so popular that everyone kept a very watchful eye on their share of caramels! I have fond memories of watching my mom make these homemade caramels. She made a total mess as she relied on the "soft ball" and "hard ball" method of cooking them instead of using a candy thermometer. Although I have to say, they were pretty much perfect every time. We would wrap them up in the wax paper and try not to eat as many as we were wrapping. Here is the recipe below. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Grandma's Homemade Caramels

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar

• 2 cartons whipping cream (2 cups)

• 1 cup white Karo syrup

• 1 stick butter

Directions:

• Cook sugar, syrup, and 1 cream (1 cup) to 243 degrees (soft ball)

• Stir in 2nd cream (1 cup) and add butter

• Cook to 245 degrees (hard ball)

• Pour into well buttered glass baking dish

• Let cool completely

• Cut into desired size pieces

• Cut wax paper into strips

• Roll caramels in wax paper and wrap on edges

*Soft ball: forms soft ball in water, but flattens when removed from water

*Hard ball: will hold a small solid ball form in water and keep its shape

More ways to enjoy CARAMEL!!!

• With ice cream or blended in a milkshake

• on apples

• on pretzels

• in brownies

• in cookies (or just drizzle a little over sugar cookies or any chocolate cookie)

• on popcorn (yum! caramel corn!)

• drizzled over cheesecake

• in your favorite candy bar

• in granola or a granola bar

• in coffee ( salted caramel latte anyone?)

• as a topping or an ingredient in cake

• make some caramel apple butter

• on pancakes or waffles

• on pastries such as sticky buns, monkey bread, or sweet rolls

• on bacon (you can brush caramel onto bacon and cook it in the oven-YUM!)

• in oatmeal

• in applesauce

• a little drizzle on your buttered toast

• with nuts
  

Caramel Nut Clusters

Ingredients:

• mixed nuts (or any nuts you prefer) 1 cup

• caramel sauce 2 TBSP

• Sea Salt

• chocolate (your preference, melted)

Directions:

• Mix the nuts and caramel sauce together with a tsp. of sea salt ( as preferred ).

• Place large tablespoonfuls onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

• Bake at 325 degrees until golden color (approximately 20 minutes).

• Let cool, then drizzle with the melted chocolate. Let the chocolate set before serving.
  

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