6. Put the caramel:
Gently pour the hot caramel mix into the baking pan. Use a kitchen tool to spread the caramel evenly in all parts of the pan. If you want to make it more special, add a bit of sea salt on the caramel for a mix of sweet and salty flavors.
Allow the caramel to harden.
Let the caramel cool down at room temperature for around 4 hours until it is solid enough to be cut into squares. You can also make the process faster by putting the pan in the fridge for around 1 hour, but be careful not to freeze it.
Cut the caramels and wrap them.
After the caramel hardens, use the paper to remove it from the pan. Move the caramel block to a cutting board. Cut the caramel into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife, in the size you like.
To achieve a traditional homemade appearance, cut wax paper into squares and wrap each caramel piece separately. Fold the edges of the wax paper to close the candies.
Advice for Making Delicious Caramel at Home
Check the temperature: A candy thermometer is very useful when making caramel. Cooking the caramel until it reaches a soft and chewy texture is important for getting the right consistency. Be cautious not to cook it for too long, as this may cause the caramel to become hard or brittle.
Keep stirring: Caramel can burn fast, so make sure to stir continuously while cooking. This makes sure the food cooks evenly and stops it from sticking to the pan.
Enhance the taste: You can make your caramels more flavorful by adding extracts such as maple or almond, or by mixing in chopped nuts for a crunchy touch.
Different options to experiment with.
To make a very special treat, dip your caramel pieces in melted dark chocolate. Let the chocolate cool until it forms a thick, chocolatey layer.
To make salted caramel, just add a little sea salt on top of the caramels before they completely harden. This will give them the traditional salty-sweet taste.
To make homemade turtle candies, put pecans on top of caramel squares before they harden, and then add chocolate drizzle.
Tips for storing items.
Homemade caramel candies will remain fresh for about 2 weeks if kept in a sealed container at room temperature. You can also put them in the fridge or freezer to make them last longer. Just remember to let them warm up to room temperature before eating so they become soft and chewy again.
Ideas for how to serve.
Perfect for giving as a gift: Wrap each caramel in wax paper and put them in a nice tin or box for a lovely homemade present.
Delicious Delight: Have your caramel sweets as a snack in the middle of the day or as a dessert after dinner.
Usage in Baking: These caramels are great for melting and using as a filling in cookies, bars, or cakes.
