Be sure to use a much larger saucepan than you think you need for this recipe – heavy cream makes the caramel bubble up like crazy while boiling. Also make sure you have all you finishing ingredients (both salts, vanilla, cacao nibs) ready to go before the caramel comes to temperature. You have to work quickly at that point.
PrintHoliday Treat – Cacao Nib Caramels
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 40 caramels 1x
Description
Indulge in these rich and buttery cacao nib caramels, perfect for a holiday treat with a hint of chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil spray, for baking sheet
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
- Fleur de sel, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Lightly spray the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch rimmed baking sheet (or glass dish) with vegetable oil. Line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. Lightly spray the parchment with oil as well.
- In a large saucepan, combine the heavy cream, granulated sugar, butter, light corn syrup, and kosher salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 250°F on a candy thermometer.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract and cacao nibs.
- Pour the caramel into the prepared baking sheet, spreading evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the top with fleur de sel.
- Let the caramel cool completely at room temperature, about 2 hours. Once set, use the parchment overhang to lift the caramel out of the baking sheet. Cut into small squares or rectangles to serve.
Notes
Use a larger saucepan than expected as the cream causes the caramel to bubble up significantly. Have all finishing ingredients ready before the caramel reaches temperature to work quickly. Store caramels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For a firmer caramel, cook to a slightly higher temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 caramel
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 17
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 15
They look incredible! I have to admit that such a long process doesn’t much appeal to me, but the colours and textures are just beautiful.