Brown Sugar Caramels

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Line an 8-inch-square baking pan with aluminum foil that extends over the sides. With a paper towel, coat the bottom and sides of the foil with 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil. Set aside.

   Step 2

   In a 3-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, milk, butter, and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula until the mixture comes to a boil (5 to 8 minutes). Wash down the sides of the pan two times with a pastry brush dipped in warm water to prevent the sugar from crystallizing.

   Step 3

   Increase the heat to medium-high, place a candy thermometer in the pan, and cook the mixture until it registers 240°F on the thermometer (10 to 15 minutes), stirring constantly.

   Step 4

   Remove the pan from the heat and pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Let the caramel cool completely at room temperature (8 hours or overnight).

   Step 5

   With the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil, coat a cutting board and the blade of a large chef’s knife. Remove the candy from the pan by lifting out the foil; invert the caramel onto the cutting board and peel the foil off the caramel. Cut the caramel evenly into 1-inch squares. In a tightly covered container, between sheets of waxed paper, or wrapped in waxed paper squares, the caramels will keep for 2 weeks at room temperature.

2. VARIATION

   Step 6

   Add 1 cup roughly chopped, toasted nuts to the caramel mixture before pouring into the prepared pan.