Halloween

Lavender Macadamia Caramels

October 14, 2010
4.7
3 Ratings
  • Serves about 60 caramels
Author Notes

I have a tendency to want to put lavender into everything (ESPECIALLY with whipped cream.....once you go lavender whipped cream you never go back) but it seems to do nice things to these caramels. If you like your caramels a little bit salty, throw a teaspoon into the pot at the beginning of the recipe. - zest in the midwest —zest in the midwest

Test Kitchen Notes

These wonderful, floral caramels are rich and buttery. They have a gooey and chewy texture. The technique of infusing the lavender into the sugar and cream results in caramels that are pleasantly potent, even after a 24 hour infusion. - Stephanie —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups cream
  • 1.5 cups corn syrup
  • 1 cup butter
  • 3 tablespoons dried lavender
  • 2 bags of Earl Gray tea
  • 1 cup roughly chopped macadamia nuts
Directions
  1. Do ahead (up to three days before, with a minimum of 24 hours for the lavender to infuse the sugar and the cream): Combine sugar and 2 tablespoons lavender in an airtight container. Seal. Pour the cream into a container. Add tea bags and remaining tablespoon of lavender. Seal container with cream and refrigerate.
  2. Butter a 9 x 13 pan, or high rimmed cookie sheet.
  3. Place a mesh colander over a large pot. Sift sugar into the pot. Using the same colander, drain cream into a separate container. Squeeze tea bags into the cream before disposing.
  4. Add butter, syrup, and 1 cup of the cream into the pot. Heat to medium high until boiling rapidly, stirring frequently. Stir in remaining cream.
  5. Heat to 244 F, without stirring. Pour caramel into greased pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
  6. Refrigerate until cool. Once caramel is chilled, cut into small squares and wrap in wax paper.
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3 Reviews

hardlikearmour December 15, 2010
oh my gosh...i don't know how i missed these...i love lavender in things, including my earl grey tea.....these are definitely on my list for christmas candy!
 
hardlikearmour December 23, 2010
These are amazingly delicious. Maybe my favorite caramels ever!
 
aargersi October 14, 2010
Wow, these sound amazing. Love the Earl Gray and lavendar combo.