Caramelization is what happens to pure sugar when it reaches 338° F. A few tablespoons of sugar put in a pan and heated will eventually melt and, at 338° F, start to turn brown. At this temperature, the sugar compounds begin to break down and new compounds form.

How long does it take to caramelize sugar?

Sugar melts at about 320 degrees F. and will turn to a clear liquid at that temperature. After sugar dissolves and syrup is simmering, cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, without stirring. Hold handle of pan and gently tilt the pan off the heat to distribute color evenly as sugar caramelizes.

At what temperature is caramel ready?

Heat the caramel to 245°F to 250°F.

Return the pan to medium to medium-high heat. Let the caramel come to a boil without stirring. It will start off as a soft buttery yellow and eventually darken to reddish-brown caramel. Remove from the heat when the caramel reaches 245°F to 250°F.

What temp does sugar boil?

Making candy can be hazardous due to the use of boiled sugar and melted chocolate. Boiling sugar often exceeds 150 °C (302 °F)—hotter than most cooked foods—and the sugar tends to stick to the skin, causing burns and blisters upon skin contact.

What is the temperature for sugar?

Sugar (sucrose) begins to melt around 320° F and caramelize around 340° F. If you heat a sugar syrup to temperatures higher than any of the candy stages, you will be on your way to creating caramelized sugar (the brown liquid stage)—a rich addition to many desserts.

How to Caramelize sugar- Easiest way from start to finish

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How can you tell when caramel is done?

The caramelization process happens quick, and you want to be there when it's time to remove it from the heat. From golden, the mixture will continue to darken. Pull you pan off of the heat when you see the mixture turn to the color of a shiny copper penny. That's how you know it's done!

Do you stir when making caramel?

Should you stir caramel as it cooks? Stirring caramel as it cooks isn't necessary—and it can even be detrimental, as it can cause the sugar solution to splash onto the sides of the pan, where the water will evaporate quickly and the sugar can form back into crystals.

Why does my sugar not melt?

The sugar melting study showed that the reason scientists and cooks haven't been able to isolate a definitive melting point for sugar is that sugar doesn't melt—it decomposes. ... If you heat sugar quickly, using extremely high heat, it will melt at a higher temperature than it would if you heat it slowly, using low heat.

Do you Stir sugar when melting it?

Use a rubber spatula to gently drag the granules of sugar into the liquid sugar. Do not aggressively stir but gently move the sugar around to achieve even cooking. The sugar will begin to caramelize very quickly once it melts. You can turn the heat down to slow the process down.

What does adding butter to caramel do?

As the sugar heats, it will melt and start to "caramelize" (hence the name "caramel"), changing color and creating caramel flavors. Once the sugar has all dissolved and turned brown, we add butter. The heat of the caramel will melt the butter and create even more wonderful flavors.

How can you tell when caramel is done without a thermometer?

To check your sugar syrup has reached the correct stage without using a sugar thermometer, place a bowl of very cold water next to the hob. Using a clean spoon, carefully take a little of the syrup and drop it into the bowl of cold water. Leave to cool for a moment then pick up the ball of syrup.

Why is my caramel not turning brown?

Temperature is key when making candy. The difference between a soft caramel and one that's hard and overcooked is all in the temperature. ... It's an easy way to prevent soft caramel that won't set, which happens if the caramel doesn't reach a high enough temperature.

Why did my caramel turned back to sugar?

A "wet" caramel uses water and sugar; it cooks more slowly, but is prone to crystallising. Sometimes, as syrup boils, sugar starts to form back into crystals, which turn hard and cloudy. Crystallisation can be caused by stirring, or a grain of something other than sugar getting into the pan, or often just bad luck.

How long does it take sugar to reach 300 degrees?

Just put your candy thermometer in the pan and watch for it to rise to 300 degrees. It takes about 10 minutes from the time it starts to really boil. After it's reached 300 degrees, remove it from the heat and add whatever flavor you want, stirring constantly then add food coloring.

How do you measure sugar temperature?

When a recipe indicates that a sugar mixture needs to cook to a specific stage, the most accurate method to use is a candy thermometer to test the temperature as it is cooking. Cooking the sugar mixture to the proper temperature is critical for successful results in making candy.

What can I use if I don't have a candy thermometer?

For any recipe that calls for a candy thermometer, all you'll need is a bowl of cold water instead (The colder the better—ice water is fine!) While the candy is cooking, periodically drop a small spoonful of the candy into the bowl of cold water.

Why is my salted caramel grainy?

Grainy caramel is caused by crystallization, which is easy to avoid (and can also be fixed). Caramel becomes grainy when the sugars crystallize, a process that happens when the melted sugar splashes up onto the cold sides of the pan. ... The water will help the sugar crystals dissolve again.

How do you thicken caramel?

If the caramel is too thin, simmer the caramel on medium heat for 5-10 minutes to thicken it (the caramel will not continue to darken). Keep in mind that the caramel will thicken significantly once cool. Likewise, if the caramel is too thick, thin by stirring a tablespoon or two of heavy cream.

Why is my caramel hard?

The texture of the caramel is determined by its moisture content. As more moisture is evaporated from the cooking caramel, it become harder, though still liquid while hot. As it cools, the sugar begins to crystallize. If you want to soften your caramel, pot a little water into a pot, and place the caramel into it.

How do you caramelize sugar in the oven?

Here's how to make the magic happen:

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
2. Use a glass or ceramic baking dish to hold the sugar, since both are poor conductors of heat and will allow your sugar to bake more slowly but not burn.
3. Bake the sugar for five hours (or less, depending on how strong you want the caramel flavor to be).

Why won't my sugar dissolve in butter?

Sugar needs water to dissolve, so the less water you have in your ingredients (or the more sugar), the harder it will be to dissolve. Butter and mascarpone contain a bit of water, but not much. Liquefy the sugar first with a small amount of water. Or, use honey or syrup.

Why does sugar turn black when heated?

Sugar is made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. When heated over a candle, these elements react with the fire to turn into a liquid. The heat causes the sugar's atoms to combine with the oxygen in the air, forming new groups of atoms. Energy is released in this chemical reaction in the form of smoke and black soot.