How to make caramel
Skill level
Intermediate
Equipment you will need for this technique
Heavy-based saucepan
Pastry brush
Baking tray, lined with non-stick baking parchment
Stir the sugar and water together in a deep, heavy-based saucepan over a low-medium heat. Once the sugar is dissolved, stop stirring. Use a pastry brush dipped in water to get rid of any crystals of sugar clinging to the sides of the pan. If not removed, they can turn your caramel grainy. Increase the heat and bring the syrup to a boil for around 5-7 minutes until the sugar turns golden-brown. Caramel can burn very easily, so watch it carefully.
For caramel, carefully pour onto greaseproof paper and leave until cool and hard, then crack into shards.
To make caramel sauce, remove the caramel from the heat and add cream and butter as directed by your recipe. Perfect for ice cream and pancakes.
