Posted on

Happy National Caramel Month pt 2

Celebrating National Caramel Month: A Sweet Journey into the World of Caramel

As the leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp, there’s no better time to indulge in the sweet pleasures of caramel than during National Caramel Month. October is the designated month to celebrate this delectable treat, and it’s a time when caramel lovers come together to savor its rich, buttery goodness. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history of caramel, its versatile uses, and share some mouthwatering caramel recipes to make your October sweeter.

The Sweet History of Caramel

Caramel, with its irresistible blend of sugar, butter, and cream, has a history as rich as its flavor. The word “caramel” is derived from the Spanish word “caramelo,” which means “cane sugar.” It’s believed to have been discovered over 1,000 years ago when sugar was first caramelized in Persia. From there, it spread to Europe, where it became a staple in confectioneries and desserts.

Caramel gained immense popularity in the United States during the late 19th century when candy makers started producing caramel candies. Over the years, caramel has evolved from a simple candy into a versatile ingredient used in a wide array of culinary creations.

Versatility of Caramel

One of the things that make caramel so beloved is its versatility. It can be enjoyed in various forms and paired with an extensive range of ingredients. Here are some delightful ways to enjoy caramel:

  1. Caramel Candies: Traditional caramel candies come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors, from classic soft caramels to chewy caramel chews.
  2. Caramel Sauces: Caramel sauce is a versatile topping that can be drizzled over ice cream, cakes, pies, and more.
  3. Caramel in Baking: Caramel can be incorporated into baked goods like caramel brownies, caramel apple pie, and caramel-filled cookies.
  4. Caramel Beverages: Caramel-flavored beverages, such as caramel lattes and caramel hot chocolate, offer a comforting and sweet experience.
  5. Caramelized Nuts: Nuts coated in caramel offer a delightful blend of sweet and crunchy.
  6. Caramel Popcorn: Enjoy movie nights with a bowl of homemade caramel popcorn.
  7. Caramel Ice Cream: Caramel swirls in creamy ice cream create a blissful frozen treat.

Delicious Caramel Recipes

  1. Classic Caramel Sauce: Ingredients:
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt Instructions: In a saucepan, melt sugar over medium heat until it turns amber. Add butter, cream, and salt, stirring until smooth. Let cool before using.
  1. Caramel Apple Pie: Ingredients:
  • 1 prepared pie crust
  • 6 cups sliced apples
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup caramel sauce Instructions: Toss apples, sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Fill pie crust, drizzle with caramel sauce, and top with a second crust. Bake until golden brown.

National Caramel Month is the perfect opportunity to indulge your sweet tooth and explore the world of caramel. Whether you prefer it in candies, sauces, or baked goods, caramel’s sweet and buttery flavor is sure to satisfy your cravings. So, embrace this delightful month and savor the warmth and comfort that caramel brings to your taste buds.

Here’s a delicious recipe for Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies that combines the classic flavors of chocolate chip cookies with the rich sweetness of salted caramel:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • Sea salt flakes for sprinkling

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips.
  7. Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  8. Make a small indentation in the center of each cookie with your thumb or the back of a spoon.
  9. Fill each indentation with a small dollop of salted caramel sauce (about 1/2 teaspoon per cookie).
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden.
  11. Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately sprinkle a pinch of sea salt flakes over the top of each cookie while they’re still warm.
  12. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  13. Enjoy your homemade Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage!

These cookies strike a perfect balance between sweet and salty, making them an irresistible treat for caramel and chocolate lovers.

Here’s a delicious recipe for Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars that combines the flavors of creamy cheesecake, sweet caramel, and tart apples:

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

For the Cheesecake Layer:

  • 16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Apple Layer:

  • 2 cups peeled, cored, and chopped apples (such as Granny Smith)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Caramel Topping:

  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • A pinch of sea salt flakes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

2. Make the Crust:

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar.
  • Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create an even crust layer.

3. Prepare the Cheesecake Layer:

  • In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
  • Add 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined and creamy.
  • Pour the cheesecake mixture over the graham cracker crust layer.

4. Prepare the Apple Layer:

  • In a bowl, toss the chopped apples with 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
  • Spread the apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer.

5. Bake: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the edges are set, and the center is slightly jiggly.

6. Cool and Chill:

  • Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool to room temperature in the pan.
  • Once cooled, refrigerate the bars for at least 3 hours or until they are well-chilled.

7. Add Caramel Topping:

  • Drizzle the caramel sauce over the top of the chilled bars.
  • If desired, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt flakes over the caramel for a delightful contrast of flavors.

8. Slice and Serve:

  • Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan.
  • Cut into squares or bars.

9. Enjoy!

  • Serve your Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars chilled, and savor the delightful combination of creamy cheesecake, sweet apples, and rich caramel.

These bars are the perfect dessert for fall and a fantastic way to enjoy the classic caramel apple flavor in a cheesecake form.

For a simple keto caramel, you can mix 1/2 cup of melted butter, 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 cup of erythritol or other keto-friendly sweetener, and a pinch of salt. Cook over low heat until it thickens, then cool.

Keto Salted Caramel Pecan Bars:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1/4 cup powdered erythritol
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Caramel Layer:

  • 1/2 cup sugar-free caramel sauce
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, mix almond flour, coconut flour, melted butter, erythritol, and vanilla extract to form a dough.
  3. Press the dough into the bottom of the baking dish to create a crust.
  4. Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Let it cool.
  5. In a saucepan, combine sugar-free caramel sauce, chopped pecans, and sea salt. Heat over low heat until well combined.
  6. Pour the caramel mixture over the cooled crust and spread evenly.
  7. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
  8. Once set, cut into bars and enjoy your keto caramel pecan delight!

Leave a comment