There was a bag of these delicious caramels in my stocking last Christmas. I unwrapped one right away, obviously, and took a bite: butter, honey, salt. Heaven. And I knew that Beth had made them. You know Beth, of The Perfect Granola?
I had to have the recipe.
Funny thing, it turned out to be mine, from these caramel apples. Flattered, yes, but there’s this one thing. She made them with the honey from her own bee hive.
Uncle.
I thought these would be the perfect treat to send to my April Leftovers Club partner, Shashi of Runnin’ SriLankan. In return she sent me the most wonderful Breakfast Biscotti. Imagine something really nutritious: oats, flax seed, coconut – and then douse it in white and dark chocolate. Yum.
When you make these caramels, and you should, you’ll need just four things on your grocery list: honey, heavy whipping cream, salt, and vanilla. You’ll also need a little bit of patience. Every time I make caramel, or any confection, I end up tapping my candy thermometer and thinking, “Is this thing broken?” Every. Time. But, be patient, 255 degrees will come, in 20 minutes or so. And it will be well worth the wait.
Salted Honey Caramels
Ingredients
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- kosher salt or other flaky salt (like Maldon) to finish
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch x 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, allowing parchment to line sides as well as the bottom. On one side, fold the parchment in so that the width is 5", otherwise the caramels will be too thin.
- Cut out 40 parchment wrappers, about 3 1/2 inches wide and 2 inches long.
- In a narrow, heavy saucepan heat the heavy cream and salt to a simmer – don’t allow the cream to boil. Stir in honey. Heat to boiling and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, for 20-25 minutes, until the mixture reaches 250-260F degrees. (Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature)
- When the caramel reaches 250-260F degrees, remove from heat, add vanilla and stir.
- Carefully pour caramel over parchment in pan, taking care to keep the width to about 5 inches.
- When the caramel is nearly cool, sprinkle with kosher or other flaky salt.
- Allow caramel to cool completely and then transfer, with parchment, on to a cutting board.
- With a lightly oiled, sharp knife cut caramel longwise into 10, 1/2-inch strips. Then cut crosswise into 4, 2-inch strips.
- Place one caramel on the edge of a parchment wrapper and roll up. Twist ends to seal. Repeat with remaining caramels.
D'Ann says
December 14, 2018 at 2:51 pmI’d like to add these to my holiday candy list. Do they ship well, and how long do they keep?
Marissa says
December 14, 2018 at 4:58 pmHi D’Ann! The wrapped caramels ship well and will keep for about four weeks stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Happy Holidays!
Awesome says
July 17, 2018 at 1:22 pmI have made these a couple times and they are really liquidy still at room temperature (I am an experienced at home cook). I found that the soft ball stagebwhen using honey just doesn’t cut it.
These candies really need to be heated to the hard ball stage so they dont turn into goo if they aren’t in the fridge. They hold their shape better this way and are much easier to wrap while still being chewy and yummy.
Stephanie says
March 3, 2018 at 7:59 pmThey are really delicious, but how do you get these off the parchment without totally destroying them?
Marissa says
March 4, 2018 at 5:20 pmHi Stephanie – I’m glad you like the flavor! I haven’t had an issue with removing the parchment paper. I’m wondering if the caramel didn’t get quite hot enough? Do you remember what it reached on the candy thermometer?
Elizabeth @ Food Ramblings says
April 6, 2014 at 7:36 pmThey look amazing- I hevan’t tried to make candies yet….impressive!
Marissa says
November 28, 2014 at 9:29 amThanks Elizabeth!
Heather @ Sugar Dish Me says
April 5, 2014 at 6:21 amThese are awesome! I totally suck at making candy. The candy thermometer and I are not really friends. And fresh honey?!!!! Geezzzzzzz. Totally amazing.
Marissa says
November 28, 2014 at 9:29 amUnderstandable. 😉 Thanks Heather!
Shaina says
April 3, 2014 at 2:04 pmI don’t know if I’d have the patience needed to make these, but it sure sounds delicious! Homemade anything is always the best
Marissa says
November 28, 2014 at 9:28 amIt does seem forever for that thermometer to reach 260!
Eileen says
April 3, 2014 at 12:09 pmThese caramels sound amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever had any made solely with honey instead of sugar. Super interesting!
Marissa says
November 28, 2014 at 9:28 amThis was my first attempt – I really love the honey flavor in the caramel.
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
April 3, 2014 at 9:48 amLove these! Shashi is very lucky to have received these, I wouldn’t have been able to share 🙂
Marissa says
November 28, 2014 at 9:27 amThanks, Ashley!
Elizabeth / In the Loop says
April 3, 2014 at 9:23 amalso not sure but I accidentally rated these….these deserve all five stars!!!! fabulous
Marissa says
November 28, 2014 at 9:27 am😉
Elizabeth / In the Loop says
April 3, 2014 at 9:10 amI don’t think I could have sent these — I would have hoarded them all for myself!!! 🙂 These look fabulous!!
Marissa says
November 28, 2014 at 9:27 amHa! I love it…
Lacey says
April 3, 2014 at 5:14 amLooks divine!
Marissa says
November 28, 2014 at 9:26 amThank you, Lacey!
Marie @ Little Kitchie says
April 3, 2014 at 3:51 amYUM.
Marissa says
November 28, 2014 at 9:26 amThanks Marie!