Grandmas Nutty Caramels Recipes

OLD-FASHIONED CARAMELS

Steps:

• Line an 11x7-in. pan with foil; grease with 1 tablespoon butter and set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and remaining butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; boil gently for 4 minutes without stirring. , Remove from the heat; stir in cream. 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 and pecans if desired. Pour into prepared pan; cool. Using foil, lift candy out of pan. Gently peel off foil; cut candy into 1-in. squares.

~ GRANDMA'S NUTTY CARAMELS ~

Steps:

• In a dutch oven, preferably non stick - combine the sugar, butter, corn syrup and milk and cook over high heat until candy thermometer reaches 210 degrees, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium, cook to 244 degree, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and quickly stir in the vanilla and nuts. Pour into a well buttered 9 inch pan. Cool, then turn onto a wooden cutting board. Cut into small squares. Either wrap individually with waxed paper or keep chilled until ready to serve.

GRANDMA'S CANADIAN CASHEW CARAMELS

Steps:

• Lightly spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter flavored cooking spray. Arrange chopped cashews in the bottom of dish.
• Combine brown sugar, golden syrup, sweetened condensed milk, and butter in a large, heavy bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Do not stir once the sugar syrup begins to boil. Heat to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a rigid ball.
• Pour caramel over top of cashews. Stir well. Use a heatproof rubber spatula to spread the mixture evenly in the dish; allow to cool for 1 hour. Cut cooled caramel into squares or roll into balls as desired.

GRANDMA BLAIR'S PECAN CARAMEL ROLLS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast with the warm water. Stir in 1/4 cup sugar, salt, 2 tablespoons margarine, egg, and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. With spoon or hand, work in enough remaining flour until the dough is easy to handle (if it becomes too sticky, dampen your hands with cold water). Place in a greased bowl. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight (or, up to 4 to 5 days).
• Combine melted margarine, brown sugar, corn syrup and pecan halves. Pour into greased oblong 9 by 13-inch pan. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, and fresh ground cinnamon (sifted to take out the chunks). On floured board, roll out the dough into about a 9 by 15-inch shape. Spread sugar and cinnamon mix over the dough. Begin rolling the dough up tightly starting with the long side. Seal the edges when the dough is rolled. Cut into 1-inch slices and place in the 9 by 13-inch prepared pan. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 1 1/2 hours). Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and IMMEDIATELY turn upside down onto a platter.

GRANDMOTHER STOUGAARD'S CARAMEL PECAN SWEET ROLLS

Steps:

• Pour the milk into a small saucepan, and set over medium heat. Heat just until a skin starts to form on the top, then remove from the stove, and stir in salt and 1/4 cup margarine. Allow to cool to lukewarm.
• Place 1/8 cup of warm water in a small bowl. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the surface, and let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, stir together the cooled milk mixture and the yeast for 2 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed. Add egg, and mix well. Use a large wooden spoon to stir in flour 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until the mixture forms a dough. Knead on a floured surface, adding more flour if necessary, until dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place in an oiled bowl, and turn once to coat the top. Cover, and let rise until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
• Punch down dough, and let rest on the counter while you prepare the caramel topping. In a medium bowl, mix together the corn syrup, 1 1/2 tablespoons of water, 3 tablespoons of margarine and brown sugar until smooth. Spread an even layer onto the bottom of a 9x9 inch baking dish. Place pecan halves upside down in rows over the sugar mixture. Set aside.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to a 9x12 inch rectangle Spread with 2 tablespoons of margarine. Mix together 1/4 cup of sugar with the cinnamon; sprinkle over the margarine. Roll the dough up starting at the long end to form a log. Pinch the seam together to seal. Cut the roll into 1 inch rounds. Place the rounds into the prepared baking dish. Set in a warm place to rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake rolls for 20 to 25 minutes in the oven, until golden brown. Invert baking pan onto a cutting board or a clean cookie sheet while still warm so the caramel topping is on top.

CARAMEL FROSTING

Steps:

• Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat; stir in brown sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened, about 1 minute. Let cool for 5 minutes.
• Whisk milk into the saucepan until mixture is smooth.
• Beat 3 cups confectioners' sugar and salt into the butter mixture with an electric mixer on low speed. Add remaining confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time, beating until smooth.