These small batch Caramel Corn Caramels have a caramel corn infused cream to give them a subtle hint of caramel corn flavor. Amazing.
Ah portion control.
You sound so easy and yet not so much when you have a bag of Fritos in your hand.
That I’ll just have a few while you are watching TV turns into you reaching down for another one only to realize you have an empty bag.
And you are shocked because you don’t even really remember eating that much.
The queen of portion control for desserts, Christina of Dessert for Two, has a cookbook Dessert For Two: Small Batch Cookies, Brownies, Pies, and Cakes.
Did you know this?
If you don’t know this you should.
Christina started making smaller size desserts for herself actually while she was in school.
She found if she made a whole cake to satisfy her sweet tooth that she ate the whole cake.
She searched for recipes in smaller portions and found that there were not that many and so she started just making her own.
Anyone who has ever tried to half a recipe let alone fourth and so on knows that this is NOT an easy feet.
Christina works hard at getting the recipes right…and right they are, I’ve never had one not turn out great!
One problem I find with caramel recipes is that it seem to make a batch of like 300 of them (or maybe it just seems like that much when you are wrapping them up) and sometimes you only want 30 instead.
That was my problem this time as I wanted some to go on top of a Caramel Corn Caramel Layer Cake I was making (yes that recipe is coming).
Enter Christina.
The recipe is actually from her website and not her book but you still need to own the book.
Mine use infused caramel corn cream and my husband declares these the best caramels he ever had!
P.S. It’s a great day to buy my cookbook Holy Sweet!
Want more Caramel recipes?
Caramel Corn Caramels
Ingredients
- For the caramel corn infused cream:
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup caramel corn
- For the caramels:
- ½ cup caramel corn infused heavy cream
- 2 TBSP. unsalted butter (I used Plugra)
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (I used Imperial)
- 2 TBSP Lyle’s Golden Syrup (or light corn syrup)
- 2 TBSP water
- ½ tsp. vanilla (I used Rodelle)
- 1/3 cup caramel corn
Instructions
- The day before:
- Add the ¾ cup heavy cream and caramel corn into a plastic container with an airtight lid.
- Let sit in fridge for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight.
- Shake the container from time to time to agitate the cream.
- Using a fine mess strainer, strain the caramel corn out of the cream.
- Set aside until needed.
- Line a 9 x 5 x 3-inch bread loaf pan with parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray.
- In a 2-cup glass measuring cup, add the heavy cream, butter and salt. Microwave in 30 second pulses until melted and steaming. Set aside.
- In a 2-quart saucepan (seriously, don't use a smaller one-it boils up), add the sugar, Lyle’s Golden Syrup and water. Turn the heat to high, and cook without stirring until it reaches between 290-295 degrees.
- Turn the heat off.
- Slowly stream in the heavy cream mixture, and whisk gently. Turn the heat back to high, and cook without stirring until it reaches 250 degrees.
- Turn off the heat, and add the vanilla. Whisk gently to combine.
- Immediately pour the mixture into the loaf pan; do not scrape the bottom of the pan.
- Place the 1/3 cup caramel corn randomly on top of the caramel (be careful not to burn hands) and press the piece down slightly so they stick to the caramel.
- Let sit for a few hours, or overnight.
- Slice into desired shapes and wrap individually in wax paper.
- Adapted from Desserts for Two
Stephanie says
These certainly loo like the best caramels, good LORD! I am signed up you email newsletters – yay! I hope today is going okay for you, I am thinking about you and your family – I lost my girl (kitty) just last year. Hugs!
Peabody says
@Stephanie- thanks about thinking of me. Doing much better today. She was sick for so long in someways it is a relief that she is not suffering. Finding out this last week that she had a rare form of lymphoma for probably quite some time helped make a lot of sense of certain things.
We are hanging in there and actually will probably get another dog soon if one that “speaks to me” comes along. We just love dogs too much not to open our hearts to another.
EH says
I have no control with chips and salsa – however many are in the basket…that’s how many I think I should eat!
Oh and French Fries…..no control there either.
Karen says
Peanut m&ms. I will eat all of whatever size bag I have and multiple ones if they are the mini bags.
Ashley Nunn says
Chicago Mix popcorn. It is my weakness right now.
Peabody says
Oh Ashley I feel ya! I love that stuff!
Carrie says
Those caramels look scrumptious! The texture contrast of the popcorn and candy must be delightful.
I just opened a bag of Mini Oreos to throw some in a cupcake recipe, then ended up sampling more than a few … some things taste even better in mini size, not sure why!
karen says
I’m pretty good at not overdoing it and also at not feeling guilty about what I eat as long as I enjoy it. That said, the one food I really avoid because I cannot be trusted not to hurt myself is potato chips (good ones only, like Kettle Chips).
Debbie says
Salt and vinegar kettle chips. Cannot resist them. If a bag gets opened it gets devoured.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I have the same problem with Cheetos! I cannot even have them in my house unless I am about to make a recipe with them (cause I do enjoy crushing them up and using it as breading in chicken. And I have made cheetos marshmallow treats and caramelized cheetos). I am so excited to dive into her cookbook. It’s on my long to-do list this weekend!
Kathy says
Potato chips. You can’t just eat one. LOL Thanks for the give a way and I am signed up for your newsletter 🙂
Stephani says
Holy yumminess!
I don’t allow myself to buy regular bags of chips, I tend to eat most if not all of the bag in one sitting. So I buy the snack size bags and am able to limit myself to just one!
Patty Jensen says
Wow…those caramels look outstanding!! So rich, so decadent, so calling out to me!! My weakness? Pretzels. Love, love, love them!
Tiffany P. says
Apple pie. I have been known to devour half a pie in one evening. Husband devoured other half.
nancy says
yellow cake with chocolate icing gone in a flash
Kelly says
I love the idea of small batch caramels, more so a whole cookbook! For regular stuff, I can’t make milk chocolate last long. For this time of year, I can eat a whole box of samoas in one sitting. It is an extreme act of self control to make it last even to the second day.
It is very special that your hearts are big enough to consider another dog even when you’re still missing your dear one. You are awesome.
(I’ve tried signing up for your newsletter a few times in the past few months and I never get the confirmation email. 🙁 Oh well.)
Peabody says
@kelly I can sign you up for it
jacquie says
ice cream!
Anne says
brownies. Oh man. Love the idea behind this book. Usually I just pass things along to friends and neighbors when I’ve been “emotional baking.”
Heather says
Tortilla chips! I just can’t stop at a single serving.
Erin M. says
Just one?? That’s a tough one…I guess I’ll have to go with Stacy’s pita chips…they get me every time.
Sarah says
Lately it’s savory snacks–especially crackers with cheese and salami and a bit of red pepper jelly!
And praying for you all w the loss of CCS. I lost my dear pup just under a year ago from something that seemed very similar to what you all dealt with, but we never fully figured it out. It is so hard to see them suffer! Hope your heart is healing at the right pace for you.
Ginny says
guacamole and cake
Brittney says
I’m a peanut butter and Popcorn girl all the way!! I just can’t stop when it comes to any form of my 2 favorite foods! I also have a bit of a problem with ice cream. How is it that just-one-more-spoonful somehow magically empties the entire container??
Karen M says
Just found your blog and I’ve been saving a lot of recipes to try! Signed up for your emails too! I guess if I had to pick one thing I can’t just eat a couple, right now it’s M&Ms….bought the Easter colored ones, and put them in an egg shaped dish on the counter (so pretty!) but I have been eating them every time I pass the counter!! Sorry to hear about your dog. My dog is 15 also, pretty well deaf and his eye sight is failing too. Don’t even want to think about living with out him 🙁 what joy dogs bring to a family, I agree with you, as soon as another one tugs at your heart, take them home to love up forever!
Cassie says
Cadbury mini eggs and the Utz Pub Mix usually snag me. I’ve been on a bit of a cheese kick recently too, though.
Teresa says
Chocolate in any form whatsoever.
Dana C says
I have been signed up for the newsletter for a while and I love the extra little recipe you send in them!
My food currently would have to be the carmel corn, cheddar popcorn mix at costco. Or the snap peas crunchy snack things they also sell at costco. (also in stores but costco sells the awesome big bag)
Julie says
Popcorn or chips. Whatever is in the bowl or bag seems to equal a serving…
MarthaT says
You said it, it’s Fritos. Best snack/crack food ever made
Pamela Owen says
Ice Cream is my greatest fail. I can eat it at anytime, any place and in any form or fashion.
Sarah Clark says
Ice cream. And popcorn. I don’t think I have ever read the portion size on a tub of ice cream, and popcorn portion is the entire large bag at the theater, right? 😉
Gwen says
pretty much anything that involves peanut butter
Emily Barklage says
Ice cream
heather scharbach says
Caramel corn!! I can’t stop eating it. Also muddy buddy’s. Or Girl scout thin mints.
Chris says
Sweet potato chips. It’s stupid. Can I go in a Trader Joe without buying these things? Never. It’s ridiculous. Chocolate, of course, should go without saying. I have learned portion control but I DON’T like it!! Those chips, however, go from bag to mouth too easily…
Colin says
It is time for a Stanley cup, cupcake party