A Caramel Recipe & A Winner

This year I decided to branch out from my normal "Christmas cookie day" and make more than just cookies. 

I found this caramel recipe in one of my Martha Stewart Cookbooks.  It gets two thumbs up for quick and easy.

{prep time 25 minutes}

It did take me awhile to cut all of the wax paper and wrap each one. {But I saved some time by eating every other one. Shhhhh}

Seriously, I am NEVER going back to store bought caramels again. These were delicious and it made a ton. It's probably a good thing that this is not a video blog, because you would be seeing/hearing me nom nom nom-ing on a caramel at this very moment.

The only thing I would do different, is use sea salt next time. Just a personal preference.

The following is taken off the Martha Stewart website

For this recipe, you will need an accurate candy thermometer. You'll also need to cut three-inch square pieces of waxed paper or cellophane in which to wrap the caramels.

Martha Stewart Living, December 2012

• Prep Time 25 minutes
• Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
• Yield Makes approximately 120 

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil, for baking sheet
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Lightly brush bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet with oil. Line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on long sides; lightly brush parchment with oil.
   
2. Bring cream, sugar, butter, and corn syrup to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-high; cook, stirring occasionally, until caramel reaches 248 degrees on a candy thermometer, about 15 minutes.
   
3. Immediately remove caramel from heat, and stir in salt and vanilla. Pour caramel onto baking sheet, and let stand, uncovered, at room temperature at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.
   
4. Lifting by parchment overhang, transfer caramel to a large cutting board. Cut into 3/4-by-1 1/4-inch pieces; wrap each piece in waxed paper or cellophane.
   
   
   
   
   Now on to the winner of the giveaway
   Betsy of My Salvaged Treasures 
   
   
   Congrats Betsy!
   ♥
   A Little Knick Knack 
   Beyond The Picket Fence
   The Shabby Creek Cottage