ENDECA_EXCLUDE_START
Betty Crocker
Avatar
Get FREE Kitchen-Insider Access Now!
Sign Up / Log In or Learn More
ENDECA_EXCLUDE_END

Message Boards

Polls, Quizzes and Betty Crocker History

Answer poll questions to help us keep a pulse on what you and our valuable members are thinking. Also, how much do you about Betty Crocker? Test your knowledge here.

Community Debate: Is homemade caramel worth it or not?

Visions of trick-or-treat goodie bags have been dancing in my head lately, and it's got me thinking about some of my favorite candies.

Very near the top of the list, giving chocolate a run for it's money, is caramel. (Combine the two, and we're in business!) And since it's National Caramel Month, my caramel cravings couldn't be more fitting. The most obvious caramel treat that comes to my mind this time of year is caramel apples, and I'm thinking about trying to make my own this year.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/caramel-apples/ff6e4690-90c6-4f37-a4d8-7806d78216f2

I have to admit, I'm a little bit intimidated since I've never made caramel from scratch. Growing up in Metro-Detroit, we often had a jar of Sanders in the cupboard and I never had to think twice about it in the kitchen.

Have you ever made homemade caramel before? Is the taste worth the trouble? What do you use it for?

I didn't realize there were more than one recipe for home caramel. Here's another one I'm eyeing.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/deluxe-caramel-apples/3e1d5e7d-050f-4ae8-b61f-9100714b5dfb

There are also tons of recipes on the site that use caramel. Do you have favorite caramel treat?  Let us know what you decide to make in honor of the month!

10/5/2010 3:27 PM
3 Replies to Community Debate: Is homemade caramel worth it or not?

Cate, don't be leary of making caramel. Just think of the price of a little jar of caramel and how few apples it covers and how much more you can make for less money. If you have a candy thermometer it's easy and delicious. I bought a cheap candy thermometer at $general and it works fine. In high school home ec class we made it from scratch with cream, then cut it in squares and wrapped them like bought caramels. It wasn't difficult. I looked at both recipes and both are easy. Using the wrapped caramels is what I did last week, but at over $2.00 a lb. plus the apples, it gets expensive. That recipe is shown in Oct. Family Circle, the same picture but using 2 14oz bags of caramels. I got some peanuts this evening to chop and make some caramel apples tomorrow for DGD. She's 10. I bought 1/2 bushel of Golden Delicious, that are a nice size and good and juicy to caramalize. I just love apples, any way shape or form. I put them in my basement fridge criper and keep a moist terry cloth towel over them at about 37 degrees and I keep apples from Oct. to March. If I forget to dampen the towel, some of the peels want to dry and get a little wrinkeled, but they are still O.K.


Anyway, Yes, it is worth it. If I wasn't making caramel, I'd probably be watching TV and that doesn't keep any money in my purse.


 

work makes living sweet.
10/5/2010 7:31 PM

Absolutely.  I made some out of a BHG cookbook . . .so easy!!  I didn't use a candy thermometer.

10/6/2010 12:50 PM

Definately worth it!


I've been making home made caramels for years.  I use a candy thermometer....but I also use the water test just to be sure.  You can actually tell if they are ready by the color.


I make them thoughout the year when the mood strikes, but they are my most requested treat during the holidays.  No body can eat just one     Smile

10/20/2010 2:45 PM

Follow this thread by RSS
What is RSS?

Who's Talking In this Thread

Help

Need Help?

Take advantage of all the features the Message Boards has to offer including:
  • Formatting
  • Adding Photos
  • Inserting Link
  • And More!
Get Help Now
ENDECA_EXCLUDE_START

Don't miss a single recipe!




Email Address:

Recommendations

 
ENDECA_EXCLUDE_END
ENDECA_EXCLUDE_START
ENDECA_EXCLUDE_END