Bourbon Salted Caramels

by Zehorit Heilicher, Tastemaker in Residence

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Recipe slightly adapted from Bon Appetit Magazine

INGREDIENTS

  • Non-stick vegetable oil spray
  • 2 c. sugar
  • 1/2 c. light corn syrup
  • 1  14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 2 T. bourbon
  • 1/2 t. kosher salt
  • Flaky Sea Salt (such as Maldon)

DIRECTIONS

  1. Lightly coat a 8 x 8″ baking pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper, leaving a 2″ overhang on 2 sides; spray parchment.
  2. Bring sugar, corn syrup, 1/4 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
  3. Cook the mixture, swirling pan occasionally, until mixture turns a deep amber color, 8 -10 minutes.
  4. Remove pan from heat and whisk in sweetened condensed milk and butter (mixture will bubble vigorously) until smooth.
  5. Fit pan with candy thermometer and return to medium-low heat.
  6. Cook, whisking constantly, until thermometer registers 240F.
  7. Remove from heat and whisk in the bourbon and kosher salt.
  8. Pour into prepared pan; let cool.
  9. Sprinkle caramel with sea salt, cut into 1 inch pieces and wrap individually in parchment paper.

Caramels can be made up to 2 weeks ahead. Store wrapped tightly in plastic in an airtight container at room temperature. Makes about 75-100 caramels (depending how small you cut them).