Hey everyone I'm Sarah Rhodes, a photographer with Team Rhodes Weddings! I'm excited to share a quick *Treat* with you today. It's perfect for cold autumn days.
Making caramel sounds super intimidating but it's actually so easy, you will laugh.
Shopping list: (you won't need to go shopping... I guarantee you have all of this)
3/4 cup to 1 cup white sugar
butter
cinnamon and nutmeg, or Apple Pie Spice
a cookie sheet lined with wax paper or a Silpat (if you have one)
The first thing you need to do is make sure your saucepan has nothing in it - no crumbs or leftover food, or charred bits! It has to be unblemished.
Pour about 3/4 cup of sugar into your saucepan before you turn the stove on. Shake it around to make sure it's evenly distributed over the pan. You may need more or less depending on the size of your saucepan.
Turn on the stovetop to medium heat, and just wait. Don't stir or touch it. Wait some more.... wait about 5 minutes or so. Be ready with a stirring spoon that can withstand high temperatures - I used a wooden spoon, but a metal one will be fine!
Keep a close eye on it now as it starts to melt along the edge. Keep picking up the pan and shifting it, to prevent the sugar from burning. As it starts to melt more, turn the heat down just a little bit. Once most of the sugar is melted, then take your spoon and stir it up a bit.
JUST after the caramel starts to smoke, remove it from the heat, and immediately add a generous spoonful of butter! This will stop it from cooking. Be careful of sputtering hot caramel - it's a good idea to wear an oven mitt when you add the butter. Stir it up completely! Add a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract and a few dashes of apple pie spice (or just cinnamon and nutmeg if you have those). Stir it again.
Spoon out as many drops of caramel as you can onto your cookie sheet while it's hot! Let them cool in the fridge.
And ta-da! You made spiced caramel buttons! You can eat these straight (they're hard, not chewy), but what I like to do is put them in coffee, in steamed milk, in apple cider, or even a hot vanilla bean tea. They dissolve easily in your hot beverages for a good autumny caramelly treat! They'll keep in your fridge for 2-3 weeks.
*Thanks so much, Sarah! This recipe looks like so much fun! We adore you.... Elsie
I can't wait to try out this recipe!
Posted by: Nicole | October 20, 2010 at 01:02 PM
I have to try this recipe, it looks so easy. Unfortunately we do not celebrate Halloween in Italy , but it's my mother's birthday, so I have a valid motivation to make them. Thank you!
Posted by: Juliette | October 20, 2010 at 01:06 PM
That looks so delicious, have to try that recipe for sure! Thank you (:
Posted by: Karin | October 20, 2010 at 01:12 PM
Ahhhh these look delicious! And are tormenting my sugar-free diet.
Posted by: Amanda | October 20, 2010 at 01:12 PM
Oooh, these look tasty!!!
I am going to have to try these!
Posted by: Tracey | October 20, 2010 at 01:27 PM
So Stinkin' cute!!!! And who doesn't need a button of caramel in just about anything in life?!?
Posted by: Julia | October 20, 2010 at 01:29 PM
Oooh, I am going to make these, Sarah Thanks!
Posted by: Susan Williams Designs | October 20, 2010 at 01:33 PM
these look great! thanks for sharing :)
Posted by: J.P. | October 20, 2010 at 02:06 PM
Yum! I've done chewy caramels before (my fave is sea salt caramels) but I've never worked with a dry caramel before with the raw sugar in the pan. Brilliant. I can't wait to give this a try.
xoxo
Talia Christine
http://taliachristine.blogspot.com
Posted by: Talia Christine | October 20, 2010 at 03:57 PM
Wow those do look tempting :)
Posted by: Steph | October 20, 2010 at 04:54 PM
YUMMY!! Mmmmm Caramel... licking my lips now :)
Mx
Posted by: Monica Robinson | October 20, 2010 at 06:35 PM
yum - these sound delicious!
xx
Posted by: Kate | October 20, 2010 at 08:27 PM
I am making these tomorrow, thank you for sharing.
Posted by: bfree | October 20, 2010 at 10:27 PM
I'm staying with some friends out of town this weekend and have been trying to think of a nice little treat to bring them as a gift. These will be perfect, especially wrapped with tissue paper and ribbon. Thank you so much!
Posted by: Michelle | October 20, 2010 at 11:57 PM
I love the cup in the last picture. Anyone know where its from??
Thanks, Andi x
Posted by: Andi | October 21, 2010 at 04:15 AM
The mug is from Starbucks a few years back! But you can still find 'em on ebay - I checked :)
Posted by: Sarah Rhodes | October 21, 2010 at 08:41 AM
these look amazing, can't wait to try them out. thanks again. x
Posted by: Watkins35 | October 21, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Can't wait to try this out! Deeelish!
Posted by: Aimee Durham | October 21, 2010 at 01:02 PM
Sounds yummy!
Posted by: Erika M | October 21, 2010 at 04:37 PM
The recipe sounded so great I had to try it immediately.
Result: It tastes great and is definitely worth trying! Just don't use the vanilla extract and cinnamon too sparingly ... and be careful. Caramel really is extremely hot. Ouch. ;)
Posted by: Theresa | October 23, 2010 at 10:17 AM