Christmas = Caramel Cravings

Here is my handout from a class I taught recently with my favorite Caramel Recipes.  

CHRISTMAS = CARAMEL CRAVINGS   

Much faster…..but just as tasty as one of my old time favorites. 

7 MINUTE CARAMELS

Combine in a 2 quart bowl:

1/4 c. butter

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. light corn syrup

1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk

Microwave on high for 2:22 minutes 3 times stirring every 2:22 minutes, for a total of about 7 minutes. Pour into buttered 8 x 8 glass pan.  Cool. Cut. Wrap individually in waxed paper. 

OR

14 MINUTE CARAMELS = a double batch (TO USE THE WHOLE CAN OF SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK AND TO HAVE TWICE AS MANY CARAMELS!!)  Use a 4 qt. bowl – double all the ingredients – Microwave 3:33 minutes 4 times stirring every 3:33 minutes, for a total of about 14 minutes. – Pour into a buttered 9x13 glass pan. 

HINTS:  To test the caramels to see if they have cooked enough – pour a spoonful of caramel into a cup of ice water. 

When cutting caramels use a plastic knife or kitchen shears. 

GIFT IDEAS – wrap in waxed paper and toss into a lunch sack or wrap in TP rolls or make a paper plate basket. 

ADDITIONAL USES ….

NO MESS CARAMEL APPLES ….. Cut an apple in half, core it and hollow it making a nice sized cavity, pour the caramel into this cavity, when caramel has set up, cut into slices and serve.....

TURTLES ..... Pecans, caramel and chocolate

PRETZEL STICKS …. dip in caramel and drizzle or dip in chocolate

6 MINUTE CARAMEL SAUCE

1/4 c. butter

1/2.c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2. c. light corn syrup

1 can sweetened condensed milk, divided

Place first 4 ingredients and 1/2 of the sweetened condensed milk in a 2 qt. glass measure and stir well. Microwave for 2 minutes 3 times stirring every 2 minutes, for a total of 6 minutes. Stir in remaining sweetened condensed milk. If sauce is too thick stir in water 1 T. at a time until desired consistency. Microwave for 20 to 30 seconds at serving time.  Pour over ice cream....top with nuts, whipped cream and more caramel sauce......YUMMY!  It is great on just about anything!!!

GIFT IDEA – Pour into canning jars and you have an instant gift. 

CARAMEL APPLE NAUCHOS 

Spread sliced apples on plate.  Drizzle with caramel sauce.  Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. 

HINT:  soak apples in salt/water OR pineapple juice/water solution to prevent them from turning brown. 

SALTED CARAMEL CHEESECAKE

1/2 c. butter, divided in half

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. light corn syrup

14 oz. sweetened condensed milk, divided

1 1/2 c. Club Cracker crumbs or Graham Cracker crumbs (I prefer Club)

16 oz. cream cheese

3 eggs

1 t. vanilla

1/2 c. sour cream

Stir together in a 2 qt. glass measuring cup: 1/4 c. butter, sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup and 1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk.  Microwave on high for 2:22 minutes 3 times stirring every 2:22 minutes for a total of about 7 minutes.

Remove caramel mixture from microwave and stir in the remainder of the sweetened condensed milk.  Pour 2/3 c. of this mixture into another bowl and save for topping. Place the rest of the caramel mixture in mixer bowl.

Wrap outside of a 10 inch springform pan with 2 layers of aluminum foil.   In the springform pan mix together the cracker crumbs and 1/4 c. melted butter and pat into bottom of pan forming a crust.

Add cream cheese to the mixer bowl (along with the caramel) and beat on high for 1 minute.

Add eggs, vanilla and sour cream and beat on high for 1 minute.

Pour caramel mixture over the crust in springform pan. Place springform pan in a larger pan filled with 1/2 inch of water and then place in a 325 degree oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until center is set.

Remove from oven and remove springform pan from water. Remove the foil and cool cheesecake on a wire rack.

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (chill overnight for best flavor). Remove from springform pan to serving platter.  Microwave the reserved caramel mixture for 20 seconds and then pour over the top of the cheesecake. Sprinkle with course Kosher Salt, to taste and serve.

CARAMEL POPCORN

1 c. unpopped popcorn, popped

1 c. light corn syrup

1 c. butter

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. sugar

Cook in saucepan, stirring occasionally and boil for 1 minute.  Remove from heat.

Stir in:  1 t. vanilla

Pour over popped popcorn.  Stir and enjoy!

CARMELLOW CORN.........AKA: KARL MALONE CORN

1/2 c. butter or margarine

1/2 c. brown sugar

3 c. miniature marshmallows

2 qt. popped popcorn

nuts, optional

In 2 qt. bowl, microwave butter & sugar 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in marshmallows. Cook 1 more min. Pour over popcorn (and nuts). Make into balls or serve in bowls.  FAST, EASY, and GOOD!!!