The key utensil for making chewy caramels is a candy thermometer, as it’s the only way to control the temperature of the sugar. A few degrees too high and the candies become hard.
On a recent trip to San Antonio, we discovered these delicious Texan Pecan praline specialties. We brought a lot of boxes home but unfortunately they disappeared fast. Whenever my father-in-law or my husband come back from a trip to San Antonio, they bring back a boxes of the wonderful Texan delicacies. My mother-in-law always asks: ”Honey, did you bring home my ”magazines” from your business trip?” She refers to them as magazines because if the kids hear that there are caramels in the house they gobble them up right away.
This recipe is the result of several attempts to make the candies at home. To add my own touch, I flavoured the caramels with cardamom which pairs incredibly well with the crunchy roasted pecans. Until my father-in-law or my husband go back to San Antonio for their work, our family can enjoy these homemade caramels; they’re perfect for the holidays!
1. Info for Chewy Pecan Caramels with Cardamom
- Cook Time: unavailable
- Total Time: unavailable
- Servings: 34
- Calories: unavailable
2. Ingredients for Chewy Pecan Caramels with Cardamom
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons light amber-colored honey
- 6 tablespoons light corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon fleur de sel de Guérande (or fine sea salt)
- 1 teaspoon dry milk powder
- 1 cup heavy cream, warm (see tips)
- 1-½ tablespoons unsalted butter, diced and softened to room temperature
- 8 cardamom pods
- 1/8 teaspoons cardamom extract (optional)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla powder
- 3/4 cup roasted pecans (see tips), coarsely chopped
- 1 candy thermometer
3. Directions:
- The day before… Extracting the cardamom seeds: Using a mortar and pestle, pound the pods several times and the pods will release their seeds. Pick out the shells and discard them. Grind the cardamom seeds into a fine powder. Crush all the nuts and set aside.
- Place a candy thermometer on the wall of a saucepan, combine the sugar (without any water added), and corn syrup over high heat. It’s important to carefully watch the pan; as soon as the edges of the pan start caramelizing, immediately lower the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for about 2-3 minutes (see tips).
- When all the sugar is an amber color, stir well using a silicone spatula and cook until the temperature reaches 305°F (150°C). Remove from the heat, pause for about 30 seconds, then slowly add the butter , ground cardamom and fleur de sel (be careful of splattering when the liquid is added). Stir constantly with a clean silicone spatula. Bring back to the stove using the lowest setting, and add the heavy cream little by little. Turn off the heat when the temperature reaches 250°F (122°C). The caramel should be smooth.
- Let the sauce cool down a bit. Add honey, dry milk powder, cardamom extract (if used) and vanilla powder. Stir well.
- Place the chopped pecans in the cavities of the mold (see tips), diving among 34 cavities. Pour the caramel into the cavities.
- Cover with a mesh umbrella food cover (optional, depending on the weather, especially during the summer because of bugs) and let sit in a warm, dry area for 12 hours (overnight).
- The next day… Once the caramels are dried (less sticky to the finger), unmold them; they should be firmer than the previous day but still soft to the touch.
- Cut wax papers in (6” x 5”) squares and wrap each caramel in paper and twist the ends. Store in tan airtight container in the refrigerator or eat them right away.
- Bon appétit!
