The Rednecks Best Caramels Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, cream, condensed milk, corn syrup and salt in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the mixture reaches 245 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Take from the heat and stir in the butter. Pour into a 6-inch square baking pan lined with parchment and allow to cool and set about 3 hours.
• Take the caramel from the pan and, using a very sharp knife gently sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, cut the caramels into squares and wrap in wax paper or candy wrappers (see Cook's Note). Store in a cool dry place.

Steps:

• Line bottom and sides of a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper; set aside.
• Split the vanilla bean in half with a small paring knife, and scrape out the seeds; discard the pod. Add the seeds to the cream in a 1 1/2 quart saucepan; scald the cream and keep the saucepan near the stove so that if the cream cools too much when needed, you can reheat it briefly. In a deep, heavy-bottomed 4-quart saucepan over low heat, blend the corn syrup and the sugar, stirring occasionally until the mixture becomes more fluid and most of the sugar appears dissolved.
• Stop stirring, raise heat to medium-high, and gently boil until a candy thermometer registers 305 degrees F (hard crack stage), about 9 to 12 minutes.
• Add the butter and salt to the sugar mixture, stirring constantly. Pour in the warm vanilla-flavored cream in a slow but steady stream without letting the boiling stop (be careful-mixture foams up and is steamy). Lower heat to medium and continue to boil gently until the thermometer registers about 248 degrees F, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, about 14 to 15 minutes.
• Let the candy stand about 3 minutes to allow bubbling to subside, then pour into the prepared pan without scraping the saucepan; allow to cool at least 5 hours.
• Invert onto a clean cutting board and cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips; then cut across the strips to form 1/2-inch squares. To apply a patch of gold leaf to each square, use a small artist's brush. With the brush, lift a tiny patch about the size of an oatmeal flake of gold leaf and deposit it on top of the caramels for decoration.
• Cut caramels tend to stick together and not hold their shape unless individually wrapped, so for easiest storage wrap the block of caramels in aluminum foil and cut off portions as needed. Store cut caramels in layers, separated by aluminum foil in an airtight metal or plastic container in a cool place for up to 3 weeks.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450°F. Place 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons butter and 3 pecan halves in each of 12 regular-size muffin cups; place in oven until melted.
• Stir Bisquick and cold water until soft dough forms; beat vigorously 20 strokes. Gently smooth dough into ball on surface sprinkled with Bisquick. Knead 5 times. Roll dough into rectangle, 15x9 inches. Spread rectangle with 2 tablespoons butter; sprinkle with 1/4 cup brown sugar and the cinnamon. Roll up tightly, beginning at 15-inch side; pinch edge of dough into roll to seal. Cut into twelve 1 1/4-inch slices. Place slices in muffin cups.
• Bake about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately turn pan upside down onto heatproof serving plate. Leave pan over rolls a minute.

Steps:

• Grease bottom and sides of square baking dish, 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inches, with butter.
• Heat all ingredients to boiling in heavy 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Cook about 35 minutes, stirring frequently, to just under (about 3 degrees)soft ball on a candy thermometer.
• For chewier caramels, cook until soft ball.
• Immediately pour/spread in baking dish.
• Cool completely, about 2 hours.
• Cut into 8 X 8 rows (or desired size), using kitchen scissors or sharp knife.
• Wrap individually in waxed paper or plastic wrap.
• Store wrapped candies in airtight container at room temperature.

Steps:

• Line a 15x10x1-in. pan with foil; grease the foil with 1 tablespoon butter. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt remaining butter. Add the brown sugar, milk and corn syrup. Cook and stir until candy thermometer reads 250° (hard-ball stage). , Pour into prepared pan (do not scrape saucepan). Cool completely before cutting.

Steps:

• Line an 8-in. square pan with foil; grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter and set aside., In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and remaining butter; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil slowly for 4 minutes without stirring., Remove from the heat; stir in milk. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage), stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla., Pour into prepared pan (do not scrape saucepan). Cool. Using foil, lift candy out of pan. Discard foil; cut candy into 1-in. squares. Wrap individually in waxed paper; twist ends.

Steps:

• Grease a 12x15 inch pan.
• In a medium-size pot, combine sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, evaporated milk, whipping cream, and butter. Monitor the heat of the mixture with a candy thermometer while stirring. When the thermometer reaches 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) remove the pot from the heat.
• Stir in vanilla. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan and let the mixture cool completely. When cooled cut the Carmel into small squares and wrap them in wax paper for storage.

Steps:

• Grease bottom and sides of square baking dish, 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inches, with butter.
• Heat all ingredients to boiling in heavy 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook about 35 minutes, stirring frequently, to 245°F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into cup of very cold water forms a firm ball that holds its shape until pressed. Immediately spread in baking dish. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
• Cut into 8 rows by 8 rows, using kitchen scissors or sharp knife. Wrap individually in waxed paper or plastic wrap. Store wrapped candies in airtight container at room temperature.

Steps:

• Butter a square pan and line it with foil. Butter the foil as well.
• Combine ingredients in a heavy pan except vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture reaches 248 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into the pan and set on a wire rack. Cool completely. Turn out and cut into squares and wrap in waxed paper.
• For caramel apples: Wash and dry apples completely (air dry is best) and stick the sticks into the BOTTOM of the apples. They will sit better if you stick them from the bottom instead of the top. Make the caramel and dip the apples and sit them on buttered waxed paper. I tried parchment paper and it didn't work as well as I'd hoped. I always eat any excess caramel with a spoon~a yummy treat for the hard-working chef!