How to Make Caramel

Guide Note

Ever wondered how they make that delicious caramel on your favorite desserts and candy? We will show you How to Make Caramel in a safe and easy way!

Be careful when handling melted sugar, as it reaches temperatures higher than boiled water.
Use an oven mitt when handling the hot caramel and equipment.
Keep a close eye on the caramel towards the end of the heating process, as it can burn quickly.

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When sugar is heated up to the point of melting into a thick, brown syrup, it's called caramelization, and that syrup is called caramel. Caramel can be eaten on its own, turned into a delicious hot sauce or used to coat apples.

Many who haven't tried making a caramel-dipped apple or creme candy might think that making caramel is complicated, but this guide will show you how easy it is to make this super sweet treat.

8 tablespoons of brown or white caster sugar
- Use white sugar if this is your first time making caramel, as it is easier to detect the caramelization through the sugar's change in color.
4 tablespoons of water

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Follow the steps below to make caramel in its most basic form. This version of caramel serves as the basis for several recipes including caramel creme, caramel sauce and caramel apples and can be added to coffee or other hot beverage as a flavoring.

WARNING: Make sure that you keep children away from the caramel cooking site. You'll be cooking at a high temperature and run the risk of spluttering.⁵

Warm the saucepan over medium heat.⁶
Pour the 8 tablespoons sugar into the saucepan until it melts. This will take about 5 minutes. Melting starts around the edges.⁷
Stir the melting sugar with the wooden spoon until it is completely melted.
Stir again for 5 minutes until the melted sugar has turned brown. It should look somewhat like honey.⁶ Do not burn it.
Finally, it is time to add the water into the mix. Be sure to remove the pan from the heat, and gently pour in the 4 tablespoons of water while stirring.
Let the caramel cool down a little in the glass jar before serving.

Follow the recipe above, but add 1/2 cup of cream, 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 cup of corn syrup to the sugar before heating it.
Once the butter melts, stir the mixture, but don't touch it again until it reaches 248 degrees.
Once it reaches 248, pour the mixture into a greased ceramic dish. Let it cool and then cut into bite-sized squares.

Caramel Apples: Dip some apples in the caramel to make a tasty treat.⁸ For tips on choosing the right apple and serving them up right, visit Mahalo's page How to Make Delicious Caramel Apples.
Quince Caramel: If you like quince, then you will enjoy tasting these quince caramels.⁹
Creme Caramel: Cream is all you need to add to make your caramel into a delicious pudding-like treat.¹⁰
Caramel Sauce: Add some butter and cream to your caramelized sugar for a delicious sauce.¹¹