Description
This easy soft caramel recipe fills your kitchen with the most inviting, buttery aroma as it cooks, promising a chewy, irresistible sweetness that melts in your mouth. It is a classic soft caramel made with simple ingredients, perfect for family treats or holiday gifts.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 0.5 cup water
- 0.5 cup light corn syrup
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut
- 1 teaspoon ground green cardamom
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pure rosewater
- 0.25 cup shelled pistachios, unsalted, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Your Pan: Line an 8×8 (inch) baking pan with parchment. Lightly grease for easy release.
- Combine Syrup Ingredients: In a heavy 3-liter saucepan, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, water, and corn syrup. Stir until sugars dissolve over medium heat.
- Warm Cream Mixture: Separately, warm heavy cream, unsalted butter, cardamom, and sea salt over low heat until hot (butter melted).
- First Boil Syrup: Insert a thermometer. Boil syrup (no stirring) medium-high to 248°F (120°C). Slowly pour in warm cream, stirring; it bubbles vigorously.
- Cook Caramel Second Time: Continue cooking, stirring, until caramel reaches 248°F (120°C) again (10-15 min); a golden-amber color.
- Remove And Flavor: Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and rosewater. Pour hot, glossy caramel into the pan; do not scrape.
- Add Toppings And Cool: Sprinkle pistachios over the hot caramel; press gently. Cool completely at room temperature (4+ hours) until firm. No refrigeration.
- Cut And Wrap Caramel: Once firm, lift the caramel block via parchment. Place on a cutting board. Use a sharp, oiled knife to cut into 1 (inch) squares. Wrap individually.
Notes
For a sweet and salty twist, sprinkle sea salt flakes on top after pouring. Customize your soft caramel with chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts; toast them lightly for deeper flavor. Use fresh, high-quality dairy and pure vanilla extract or paste for the best flavor. For a fall-inspired soft caramel, consider a sprinkle of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg. To avoid grainy caramel, ensure sugar is fully dissolved and avoid scraping the pan sides. If caramel is too soft, it didn’t reach 248°F (120°C); if too hard, it was cooked too high. Aim precisely for 248°F (120°C). This recipe relies on dairy; for a truly dairy-free option, explore specific dairy-free caramel recipes using coconut cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop Candy Making
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 40 calories
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 2.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
Keywords: soft caramel, homemade, easy, chewy, buttery, candy, dessert, pistachios, cardamom, rosewater