Get out your candy thermometer and make a batch of these rich, buttery caramels for the holidays! Fleur de Sel (or ‘flower of salt‘) is known as the caviar of salt and is revered for its crunchy texture and flavor. You can find it online or at many of our local specialty grocers.
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup heavy cream
5 tablespoons European-style unsalted butter (Plugra or Kerrygold are nice)
1 teaspoon Fleur de Sel
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup Amen Bee honey
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon pure Tahitian vanilla extract
Extra Fleur de Sel for sprinkling
METHOD:
Butter a 9 x 9-inch square Pyrex dish. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment or foil and brush with melted butter or vegetable spray.
In a small saucepan, bring cream, butter, and salt to a boil and remove from the heat. Set aside.
In a large, deep saucepan, combine sugar, honey, and water, and bring the mixture to a boil, over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Continue to boil, without stirring but gently swirling the pan, until the mixture begins to turn a light golden caramel color.
When the candy thermometer reaches 235°F, it should be time to add the cream mixture. Stir in the cream mixture slowly and carefully, since the mixture will bubble up. Add the vanilla. Continue cooking over medium heat until the temperature of the caramel reaches 248°F on the thermometer, about 10-15 minutes.
Pour the mixture into the prepared buttered pan. After about 30 minutes, when the caramel has cooled but is still rather soft, sprinkle with Fleur de Sel. Allow to cool for another hour and a half or until the salt has set into the caramel and the caramel has firmed up.
Remove caramel from the pan, and peel off parchment or foil.
Using a pizza cutter sprayed with vegetable spray, cut into 1-inch pieces. To store, wrap each piece in a 4-inch square of waxed paper, twisting the ends to close.
