I’m not a baseball fan. I can watch a football game and be moderately entertained, but put baseball on the TV and I will either fall asleep or die of boredom. It’s not my thing. I’ve been to one game and it certainly didn’t help. It was a stifling hot July Fourth . . . until the skies opened up and it poured rain. Needless to say there won’t be any more baseball games in my future.
But October does something to me. While baseball won’t fully occupy my TV unless the Tigers are about to win the World Series, I don’t mind casually having it on in the background while I write or cook. I like hearing Joe Buck call the games (he’s actually one of my favorite parts of watching both baseball and football games!). Since the Tigers are playing in the post season, it’s even more interesting. Detroit could use some good news in the form of a national championship.
I remember in particular the magic of the 2001 World Series after 9/11. I was twelve, in sixth grade, and stayed up way too late with Mom, watching the games, cheering for the Yankees as though I had been a lifelong fan. It was really something. Even if I am not watching the games closely, I’m hoping the Tigers can work some magic of their own!
While I cheer, I need something to eat. These Brown Sugar Caramels did just the trick. Their smooth and creamy texture makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, combating the yucky fall chill in the air. The complex flavor of these will keep your taste buds interested, especially with a hint of sea salt. They are very gooey, but I think that makes them taste even better! Plus these are pretty easy to make as caramels go and are gluten free!
Brown Sugar Caramels
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 64 caramels 1x
Ingredients
- 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 2 ¼ cups packed dark brown sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Maldon Sea Salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Line an 8 in square pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy removal later.
- In a 5-6 quart saucepan, combine butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, cream, lemon juice, and water over medium heat. Stir frequently until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a simmer and insert a candy thermometer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is golden brown and reaches 240-245 degrees on the candy thermometer.
- Remove from the heat and carefully pour the caramel into the prepared pan, as it will be extremely hot. Sprinkle with sea salt. Cool the caramels at room temperature for about half an hour before placing in the refrigerator to cool and solidify completely, at least 2 hours.
- Once cool, cut the caramels into 1 inch pieces and wrap in parchment or wax paper. Store in a zipper bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Recipe adapted from My Recipes
I cook eat these caramels-game or not! These look fabulous if I can only get over my candy thermometer paranoia!
Candy thermometers are not scary! SO easy to use – I use them all the time with great success.
THESE LOOK SO GOOOOOD! Looove the idea of brown sugar caramel
★★★★★
These look amazing!!
Ugh baseball is SOOOO boring, but these brown sugar caramels… HELL NO!!! I want, I need!!
I can only watch a baseball game if I am at Wrigley Field! GO CUBS!! 😉
But I’ll take these caramels over the Cubbies any day!
★★★★★
Did you stay up to watch last night’s game ’til the end? These late-night games are killing me!
These caramels look soooo good! I’ll have to make them this weekend, but it won’t be during the baseball game… because I will be AT Fenway Park, cheering for the Red Sox!
The game was on another TV so I could glance at it while watching other shows. It ended just as I was about to go to bed. But the stupid Tigers are losing the series for themselves. SO many wasted chances! Have fun at the game 😀
Don’t worry, my favorite part of sporting events is usually the food too 🙂
Thanks, James, and thanks for visiting! Food always tastes better when watching sports, I think 🙂
Saw these on your facebook page and was drooling!! Yummy!!
I don’t follow baseball too closely either but I do enjoy hearing it in the background. These brown sugar caramels look divine.. so creamy and gooey looking. Yum!
I can tolerate watching baseball if I’m at a game but watching it on tv is the worst! Maybe if i had some caramels to distract me, i could handle it. Maybe.
I can’t tolerate baseball either and I’ve been to a couple Twins games too but they didn’t do it for me. Would love some of these brown sugar caramels though if I were forced to watch baseball. They are so ooey gooey good!
I’m with ya on the baseball. Some sports are just hard to watch very long on TV. I’d much rather watch a game in person!! These candies make everything all better though!! 🙂
Thanks, Jocelyn!