The Best Caramels

Buying Guide

Butter, sugar and cream — those are the key components to many types of desserts, including caramels, which have become a classic sweet treat. Whether it’s being used in recipes or enjoyed on its own, creamy, smooth caramel can satisfy any sugar craving.

But not all caramel is created equal. Often, the caramel you make at home will taste well above what you buy in stores. You can also find candymakers who sell handcrafted caramels that are better than you can make at home. Why? Because they’re made from a recipe has been perfected by an expert candymaker.

The right ingredients are only part of the equation, though. How caramels are cooked is directly related to how they turn out. The first big moment comes in the choice of dairy product. Some use heavy cream while others use evaporated milk. Evaporated milk is a lower calorie, healthier version, but heavy cream will give you a richer, smoother taste.

Pouring the cream or milk into the sugar and butter mix is when the second big moment comes. You’ll want to gradually add it in, making sure the boil remains consistent throughout the pouring process. During cooking, also make sure heat is applied steadily to keep the mixture from curdling.

To test to see whether caramel is done, drop a spoonful in a cup of ice water and try to roll it into a ball. Once the texture is firm and pliable, you’ll know the caramel is ready to pour into a pan. You’ll need to allow your caramel mixture to cool completely before cutting to make sure you get clean, solid cuts without a struggle.

If you’re making caramel for use for coating food, you’ll only need to wait for the caramel to cool for a few minutes to dip your items in. You won’t want it to completely harden until it’s covering your apple, pretzel or other yummy treat.

• In addition to cream, milk, sugar and butter, vanilla is a key ingredient in many caramels. Madagascar vanilla can add a little something extra. Some handcrafted caramels are made with that type of vanilla.
• Most caramels ship individually wrapped. This is typically in plastic or some type of parchment paper. In some cases, the plastic can be sticky and tough to unwrap, so keep that in mind if you’re shopping for candy for someone who might have difficulty unwrapping it.
• Caramel can tend to melt, so if you’re having it shipped, make sure you’re home to intercept the package, especially if the weather is warm where you are when it arrives.
• Often the caramels sold in stores are packed with preservatives, artificial colors or artificial flavorings. Check the ingredient list before you buy and weigh that against options that are all-natural.
• Caramels aren’t just for eating. You can also buy them to use in recipes. If you’re making candied apples, for instance, you can melt caramels for coating your fruit to save a little time.
• Store-bought caramels can be extra chewy and tougher than those you make or buy handcrafted. If this is a concern, look for caramels that bill themselves as homemade or smooth.
• If you’re looking for a treat to hand out to a large group of people, you can buy individually wrapped caramels in bulk as a unique freebie for gift bags or place settings at meetings.
• Some caramel is sold in a box, similar to how truffles are sold. The gift-friendly packaging makes them popular as a replacement for boxes of chocolates.
• For a slight twist on caramels, consider toffee. It has a richer taste and eliminates the cream or milk from the ingredient list.