How to Make the Best Sea Salt Caramels
Making sea salt caramel is easier than you think! These caramels are a combination of smooth and sweet. The sea salt adds a level of perfection that will have you immediately reaching for another one.
I must admit that I was afraid the first time I made sea salt caramel. I knew that caramel had to be precise, made at a high temperature, and could quickly go wrong. While all that is true, it’s not nearly as hard as I thought. It’s straightforward to make and very affordable (bonus). The trick is to read the recipe a few times, have everything measured out, and add the butter/cream combination in very small batches.
What Exactly is Caramel?
Caramel is just sugar (or sugar), butter, and cream. The process of caramelization happens when sugar is heated to 340 Fahrenheit. As the sugar heats, the molecules break down and re-form into caramel.
Caramel is incredibly versatile. It can stand on its own as a candy, used as a topping or filling. Different variations of caramel include sauce, toffee, nougat, praline, flan, creme brulee,
Pro-Tips
Caramel is easy to make, but a few steps will help ensure a successful batch.
- Always read the recipe twice.
Making caramel requires working at high temperatures. It helps to be well aware of all the steps before starting. - Measure all ingredients before starting.
This is always good practice whenever baking. This is especially true when making caramels because specific steps must be taken at precise temperatures. - Add the sugar slowly to the center of the pot.
This step is necessary to avoid crystallization. (Crystallization is where the sugar clumps and the result is a gritty caramel) Once the sugar is added, use your whisk and move the sugar just enough to moisten it. In this step, be careful to avoid splashing sugar on the side of the pot. This can also cause crystallization. - Once the sugar starts to boil, cover the pot with a lid for one full minute.
This step traps the steam and helps to stop any crystallization that has formed on the side of the pot. - Use a candy thermometer.
You can make caramel without a thermometer, but using the thermometer helps to get a great result every time.
– The temperature should be between 240 and 245 degrees.
– 240 degrees, the caramels are very soft and chewy.
– 245 degrees, the caramels are much firmer.
– 250 degrees is closer to a hardball stage (hard candy.) - Add the cream and butter in small batches.
When you add the cream and butter, the sugar mixture will react violently to the temperature change by bubbling intensely. By adding the cream and butter in small batches, you avoid the risk of the caramel bubbling over the pot, which would be very dangerous. - Clean-up is easier than you might think.
One of the reasons I avoided making caramel is I did not want to clean up the mess. However, you must fill the pan with water and the utensils used (candy thermometer, whisks, etc.) and bring it to a boil. Then, pour the water out and wipe clean. It’s that easy!
Stages of Caramelization
Storing
Once you are done making the caramel, they can last for one month refrigerated in an air-tight container.
Shipping
Caramel, like chocolate, can melt when shipped. However, it is possible to ship caramels. To this, cook the caramels to 245 degrees. Wrap each caramel individually in wax paper. Place the caramel in an airtight plastic container. It is not necessary to pack a cooler in the colder months.
You will want to keep your caramel cold in the warmer months to avoid melting. Place dry ice or frozen gel packs inside an airtight plastic container to do this. Place the corrugated box containing the candy on top and cover the container with its lid. Wrap the outside in cling wrap. Mark “Contains Dry Ice” on the box if you used dry ice.
The FDA also recommends shipping food items overnight so they arrive at a temperature at which they are safe to eat (but we never do this in the winter).
Did you make this? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!
Sea Salt Caramels
Equipment
- 1 whisk
- 1 Candy Thermometer
- 1 small heavy saucepan
- 1 Bread pan or small casserole dish
- 1 Parchment or wax paper
Ingredients
- 1 tsp oil (olive, canola, etc.)
- ½ cup butter (one stick)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup corn syrup
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Line a bread pan or casserole dish with parchment paper. Oil both the pan and the parchment paper. Set aside to use later.
- Cut the butter into 6 – 10 small pieces and combine with heavy cream. Microwave for one minute until the butter is melted. Set aside to use later.
- In a small saucepan, over medium heat, add the water and corn syrup.
- Slowly pour the sugar into the middle of the pan. Use caution not to have the sugar splatter on the sides of the saucepan.
- Using a whisk, gently mix the sugar with the water and corn syrup. The sugar only needs to be slightly wet.
- Heat the sugar over medium heat until the mixture begins to boil. Place the lid over the sugar for one minute. This will create moisture, which will help any sugar on the sides of the saucepan to melt down to the rest of the mixture.
- Remove the lid and insert the candy thermometer. Allow the sugar to boil without stirring (it's hard, but don't stir) until the sugar reaches 320 degrees. This will take between 5 and 10 minutes.
- Quickly whisk together the butter and heavy cream if they have separated.
- SLOWLY add the butter and heavy cream mixture to the sugar in quarter increments. Note: Adding butter and heavy cream to the sugars will cause the mixture to bubble intensely. Take this step slowly and carefully and slowly to prevent the mixture from bubbling over the sides of the saucepan and possible burns.
- Once the butter and cream have been added the overall temperature will drop. Continue to cook until the caramel reaches between 240 and 245 degrees. 240 would be a softer caramel.
- Pour the caramel into the bread pan or casserole dish. Wait fifteen minutes and dust with sea salt.
- Allow caramel for at least 3 hours to cool.
Notes
- Always use caution when adding the butter and heavy cream
- Always add butter and heavy cream in small batches.
- Adding all the butter and heavy cream at once can result in the caramel bubbling over at a very high temperature.
- The temperature should be between 240 and 245 degrees
- 240 degrees, the caramels are very soft and chewy.
- 245 degrees, the caramels are much firmer.
- 250 degrees is closer to a hardball stage (hard candy.)
First time making candy at all, followed the recipe at any point are we turning the heat down? Mine doesn’t taste horrible, but it is definitely darker. It taste like a burnt caramel lol wondering where I went wrong.
Hi Michelle, congrats on making candy! The first time can be intimidating, but each attempt builds confidence, so don’t be discouraged.
From your description, it sounds like your caramel may have overheated slightly, which can lead to a burnt flavor and darker color. Here’s what might have happened: After adding the cream, the caramel cools down temporarily but quickly reheats. The temperature rises rapidly during this stage, and there’s a small window—just about 10°F—between the soft candy and hardball stages. If the temperature goes past this range, the sugar can overcook, resulting in a burnt taste
I was always scared to make candy but this recipe broke my candy making virginity…lol. I got a good thermometer and followed the directions to a T. Today is the 3rd time making these caramels, perfect every time. Family and friends now expect them for the holidays. Not afraid to delve into the candy making world now…thank you!
Hi Deb! I am so happy that I was able to break your candy making virginity (wink). Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. I love that you have made my caramels three times and your family and friends want them every holiday. That is such a wonderful compliment.
I made this for the first time tastes great, but it’s lighter than yours. Did I not cook it right? Thank you, Jaimie
Hi Jamie, My guess is you cooked it perfectly. Here is what I think happened… there are several stages in making candy that span from soft ball stage and as the caramel get hotter it goes to a hard ball stage. My guess is your caramel is on the soft side, whereas mine is closer to the hard ball stage. This is perfectly normal and the majority of caramel lovers prefer a softer texture. My husband likes caramel closer to hard candy and I make it closer to the hard ball stage.
I am glad you it tastes great. That is by for the most important quality!