Ingredients
Making caramel with sugar and milk requires only a handful of ingredients, including sugar, salt, butter and milk. The first step is to gather all the necessary ingredients needed for the desired recipe. Start by measuring 1 cup of sugar, a pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon of butter before melting the butter in a pot over low heat. Once the butter has melted, use a wooden spoon to stir in the cup of sugar and pinch of salt until everything is combined and there are no granules of sugar left. As soon as the sugar and salt have dissolved, turn the heat to high and stir the mixture until it starts to boil.
Cooking
Once the mixture has reached boiling point, turn the heat down to low and add 1/4 cup of your favorite milk into the pot. Besides the traditional cow’s milk, you can also use plant-based vegan milk, such as almond or coconut milk. Keep stirring the mixture to make sure the caramel does not stick to the sides of the pot as it cooks. After a few minutes, the mixture will start to thicken and the bubbles will become larger. Let the caramel cook for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Its color will also change to a beautiful amber hue.
Checking for doneness
After 10 minutes, the caramel should be ready. To check if it is done, take a wooden spoon, dip it into the caramel and transfer it to a plate. Let the caramel cool down for a few minutes so you can check it for consistency. If the caramel is still too runny, turn the heat back to high and keep stirring until it thickens and has reached the desired consistency. Remember, the longer you cook the caramel, the darker in color and more intense in flavor it will be.
Storing
Once the caramel has cooled down and reached the desired consistency, transfer it into a container and let it cool down at room temperature. You can also place the container in the refrigerator or freezer if you need the caramel to cool quicker. Caramel should keep for up to a week in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.
Uses
Caramel with sugar and milk can be used in a variety of sweet treats. Great ideas include adding it to ice cream, using it as a topping for cakes and cupcakes, or even adding it to your favorite drinks. Pour some caramel over pancakes and waffles or even mix it into cookie dough for a tasty treat.
Creative ideas
Caramel can even be used to make chocolates. Just form the caramel into balls and dip them into melted dark chocolate. Get creative and decorate the chocolates with chopped nuts, dried fruits and edible glitter. For an even sweeter treat, add some caramel into brownies. The unique sweetness of caramel pairs nicely with the rich flavors of a good brownie.
Caramel popcorn
Caramel popcorn is another popular treat you can make with homemade caramel. Start by mixing together melted butter, brown sugar and light corn syrup. Then simply combine the mixture with melted caramel and pour it over freshly popped popcorn in a large bowl and gently mix everything together. For an extra crunch, sprinkle some salt over the popcorn and caramel mixture. Place it into the oven for a few minutes until fully coated and let cool.
Gifting
Make someone’s day special by baking them a special treat with caramel. Whether it is a cake, cookies, truffles or tarts, homemade caramel will add a special touch to your baked goods and a smile on your loved one’s faces. You can also package the caramel into small jars and give it as a small and thoughtful gift. Add a cute ribbon around it and your homemade caramel is ready to be gifted.
Pro Tips
Remember to always measure all your ingredients exactly and use fresh ingredients. Cook the caramel on low heat and stir continuously in order to avoid scalding. Be sure to remove the caramel from the heat before it gets too dark as it will burn easily. If you make a mistake, never worry as caramel is a highly forgiving ingredient. The burnt taste will decrease with time and adding some creamy ingredients, such as cream, butter and milk will also help to balance the bitterness. Finally, have fun and get creative with endless possibilities of what can be done with caramel.
