Salted caramel is everywhere these days and with good reason. The creamy, buttery sweet decadence of caramel gets taken to a whole new level of awesome with just a little sprinkle of salt. It's truly the ultimate salty and sweet treat.
There are so many ways to enjoy salted caramel, but a straight-up bite of caramel candy with sea salt sprinkled on top is one of the very best ways. If you want to make salted caramels yourself, find a great recipe, like these DIY Sea Salt Caramels from Donuts, Dresses and Dirt, and follow these tips:
1. Use a thermometer and make sure it's accurate! It is critical that caramel is cooked to the proper temperature to have it come out right. Candy thermometers and instan-read probe thermometers with a clip are both great options.
2. Clean your equipment well! It is also important that no extra "ingredients" get introduced while you're cooking the caramel, so make sure all your cooking equipment (pots, spoons, etc.) is very clean.
3. Resist the urge to stir! Stirring makes the sugar do funny things, so only stir occasionally, if at all (follow the recipe!).
4. Use pure, refined sugar. Refined, white sugar is best for making caramel. Make sure it doesn't have any contaminants (like flour from a measuring cup) mixed in.
5. Use heavy cream. Half-and-half won't cut it!
6. Use a heavy, large pot for cooking. You want the heat to be distributed evenly while the caramel cooks, so use the heaviest, non-stick pot you have. And it's good to use a big pot so when things get bubbling they don't spill over!
7. Be careful – caramel is hot, hot, hot! Candy making involves high heat, so be extra careful during the cooking process and don't touch the caramel until it has cooled!
8. Be prepared! Make sure you have everything ready to go before you start cooking and that you have read through the recipe a few times.
Here are 15 more ways to enjoy the luxurious flavor of salted caramel.
1. Salted Caramel Coconut Ice Cream
Pretty sure this salted caramel coconut ice cream has second name: kryptonite.
Make Salted Caramel Coconut Ice Cream Yourself from Henry Happened
2. Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
One of the best things about the holidays is that Starbucks serves salted caramel hot chocolate. One of the best things about this recipe is it doesn't have to be the holidays to enjoy salted caramel hot chocolate.
Make Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Yourself from This Week for Dinner
3. Salted Caramel Blondies
These gooey blondies are salted caramel perfection.
Make Salted Caramel Blondies Yourself from Brooklyn Supper
4. Salted Caramel Milkshake
Not only is this a salted caramel milkshake, which on its own would be good enough, but there is homemade vegan Bailey's Irish cream involved. You're welcome.
Make Salted Caramel Milkshakes Yourself from Spabettie
5. Salted Whiskey Caramel Corn
Caramel Corn? Good. Salted caramel corn? Better. Salted whiskey caramel corn? THE BEST.
Make Salted Whiskey Caramel Corn Yourself from Poet in the Pantry
6. Caramel Bars with Salted Cashews
These tasty caramel bars get their salty flavor contrast from crunchy cashews. #yum
Make Caramel Bars Yourself from Eat the Love
7. Salted Caramel Thumbprints
These thumbprint cookies are simple but beyond delicious. The little hint of salt on top is what really makes them great.
Make Salted Caramel Thumbprints Yourself from This Week for Dinner
8. Salted Caramel Icebox Pie
Salted caramel in a pie? Don't mind if I do.
Make Salted Caramel Icebox Pie Yourself from Bake or Break
9. Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups
Cookie cups. Who wouldn't want cookie cups? Especially filled with salted caramel!
Make Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups Yourself from Diethood
10. Salted Caramel Cupcakes
Hello, amazing brown sugar cupcakes with caramel filling and salted caramel buttercream, will you marry me?
Make Salted Caramel Cupcakes Yourself from Pass the Sushi
11. Cranberry Orange Salted Caramel Oatmeal Bars
This is hands down the best way to eat salted caramel for breakfast.
Make Cranberry Orange Salted Caramel Oatmeal Bars Yourself from A Spoonful of Love
12. Salted Bourbon Caramel Pops
These popsicles are made from salted bourbon caramel. Yes, you heard that correctly. And, yes, you won't be able to resist.
Make Salted Bourbon Caramel Pops Yourself from Autumn Makes & Does
13. Salted Coconut Caramel Sauce
Having a good salted caramel sauce recipe up your sleeve is never a bad idea seeing as how salted caramel sauce is good drizzled over pretty much anything.
Make Salted Coconut Caramel Sauce Yourself from An Edible Mosaic
14. Salted Caramel Brownies
Brownies topped with salted caramel is how all brownies should be topped.
Make Salted Caramel Brownies Yourself from Alida's Kitchen
15. Salted Caramel Mocha Bundt Cake
This cake easily wins best combination of taste and beauty.
Make Salted Caramel Mocha Bundt Cake Yourself from Inside BruCrew Life
Jane Maynard is a food blogger at This Week for Dinner and Babble, a writer and designer, and a lover of all things chocolate.
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