Soft Caramels

Soft Caramels
By: The Culinary Institute of America

Flourless cooking spray for greasing
2 cups superfine baking sugar
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup whole or low-fat milk
Large zest strips from ½ orange
½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise
½ cup light corn syrup
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter

Lightly coat a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Cut 2 9x16-inch rectangles of parchment paper. Lay one strip of the parchment in the baking pan, pressing it to the bottom and sides. Lightly coat the parchment with cooking spray. Lay the second parchment rectangle across the pan in the opposite direction to form a cross. Press the parchment to the bottom and sides of the pan and lightly coat with cooking spray. You should have a few inches of paper overhang on each side of the pan.

Combine the sugar, cream, milk, zest and vanilla bean in a large, heavy saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once the mixture begins to boil, add the corn syrup while continuing to stir. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a medium golden brown, 245 degrees on a candy thermometer, the firm ball stage.

Pour the mixture immediately into the prepared pan, remove the vanilla bean and orange zest and cool to room temperature. Using greased kitchen shears or a greased sharp knife, cut into squares.

“Caramels should be very smooth and rich, the result of adding the cream, butter and corn syrup to sugar as it cooks. These soft candies can be cut into a variety of simple shapes. Wrap them individually in twists of waxed paper or colorful cellophane and stack then in tins or boxes for gift giving. Check in craft stores that carry cake and candy making supplies for wrappers and boxes.”