The Best Ina Garten Fleur De Sel Caramels Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Fleur de sel caramels represent the pinnacle of sweet-salty confectionery magic, transforming ordinary sugar into an extraordinary culinary experience.

These delicate treats dance between rich butterscotch notes and crystalline mineral undertones.

Skilled home cooks can craft these elegant confections with minimal professional kitchen expertise.

Precision matters when creating such delicate sweets, where temperature and technique determine success.

Each golden morsel promises a complex flavor profile that tingles taste buds with luxurious intensity.

Soft, glossy caramels emerge from careful preparation, offering a sophisticated dessert that impresses without complex techniques.

Professional and home bakers alike find joy in mastering this deceptively simple confection: gather your ingredients and prepare for culinary bliss!

End the Batch on a Buttery Sweet Note

Culinary magic unfolds with Ina Garten’s fleur de sel caramels, a luxurious sweet sensation that elevates homemade confections.

Delicate salt crystals dance across rich golden caramel, creating a sophisticated flavor profile that whispers gourmet elegance.

Professional techniques blend seamlessly with simple ingredients, transforming humble components into extraordinary treats.

Precision matters most when crafting these exquisite candies, ensuring each bite delivers complex layers of sweetness and subtle saltiness.

Kitchen enthusiasts can master this recipe with patience and careful attention to temperature and technique.

Passionate cooks, this caramel dish promises to delight taste buds and spark conversation – so snap a photo, share your masterpiece on social media, and let fellow culinary adventurers marvel at your delectable achievement.

Why Fleur de Sel Caramels Make People Smile

• Create Gourmet Magic at Home: Transform simple ingredients into luxurious caramels that rival professional confectionery, making you feel like a skilled pastry chef right in your kitchen.
• Perfectly Balanced Flavor Symphony: Experience a delightful dance of sweet golden caramel with delicate fleur de sel, creating an irresistible contrast between rich sweetness and subtle saltiness that tingles your taste buds.
• Master Precise Candy-Making Techniques: Learn professional candy-making skills with this recipe, focusing on careful temperature control, strategic swirling instead of stirring, and precise timing that elevates your culinary expertise.
• Elegant Edible Gift Potential: Craft beautiful individually wrapped caramels that serve as impressive homemade presents, showcasing your creativity and culinary skills with minimal effort and maximum sophistication.

Ingredients That Balance Sweet and Salt

• Sugar, Water, Corn Syrup: Sweet foundation for caramel with balanced sweetness and smooth texture; choose pure cane sugar for best results.
• Cream, Butter: Rich dairy components that create smooth, creamy caramel texture; select high-quality unsalted butter and heavy cream.

• Fleur de Sel, Vanilla Extract: Gourmet salt for complex flavor and classic vanilla for depth; choose high-quality sea salt and pure vanilla extract.
• Vegetable Oil: Light coating for preventing caramel from sticking to parchment paper; use neutral-flavored oil.

• Parchment Paper, Glassine Paper: Protective wrapping for individual caramels; choose non-stick, food-grade papers that can withstand slight moisture.

How to Cook Caramel Without the Stress

Step 1: Prepare Baking Pan

Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang on two sides. Gently brush with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Sugar Syrup

• Water
• Sugar
• Corn syrup

Heat over medium-high flame until mixture transforms into a rich golden brown. Avoid stirring – gently swirl the pan occasionally. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 3: Warm Cream Blend

• Heavy cream
• Butter
• Fleur de sel

Warm until mixture starts simmering. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 4: Merge Caramel Mixtures

When sugar syrup reaches deep golden color, turn off heat. Slowly pour cream mixture into sugar syrup – expect vigorous bubbling. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 5: Cook Caramel

Continue cooking over medium-low heat for approximately 10 minutes. Use a candy thermometer to track temperature until it reaches 248°F (firm ball stage).

Step 6: Cool Caramel Slab

Carefully transfer hot caramel into prepared pan. Refrigerate for several hours until completely firm.

Step 7: Shape Caramel Logs

Remove caramel from pan and place on cutting board. Slice in half, then roll each section into an 8-inch log. Sprinkle generously with fleur de sel.

Step 8: Cut Individual Caramels

Trim log edges, then cut each log into 8 equal pieces.

Step 9: Wrap Caramels

Cut parchment paper into 4×5-inch rectangles. Wrap each caramel, twisting ends decoratively.

Step 10: Store Delicately

Refrigerate wrapped caramels. Serve chilled for maximum flavor and texture.

Tricks to Make Every Chew Rich and Silky

• Gentle Pan Motion: Swirling instead of stirring prevents sugar crystals from forming, ensuring a smooth, silky caramel texture.
• Color Watch Strategy: Keep your eyes laser-focused on the sugar's transformation, as it can quickly burn—pull from heat the moment it reaches a rich amber shade.
• Precision Temperature Control: A candy thermometer is your secret weapon, hitting exactly 248°F guarantees those perfectly chewy caramels every single time.
• Patient Cooling Technique: Resist the urge to rush—letting caramels set completely in the refrigerator creates clean, sharp cuts without messy edges.
• Smart Storage Solution: Parchment paper wrapping prevents sticky situations and extends the shelf life of your delectable homemade treats.

Storing Caramels That Stay Soft and Dreamy

• Airtight Container Method: Seal cooled caramels in a glass or metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Place in the refrigerator's coolest section for maximum preservation.
• Freezing Method: Individually wrap each caramel in wax paper or parchment, ensuring complete coverage. Stack wrapped pieces in a freezer-safe container with a secure lid. Freeze up to three months for long-term storage. Thaw naturally at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
• Room Temperature Storage Method: Keep caramels in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Place in a ceramic or tin container with a loose-fitting lid. Consume within one week for optimal flavor and texture. Avoid humid environments that can cause caramels to become sticky or lose their perfect consistency.

Caramel Add-Ins That Go Beyond the Sea

• Sea Salt Chocolate Caramels: Melt dark chocolate and drizzle over the caramels, then sprinkle with sea salt for a rich, decadent variation.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Fold chopped toasted almonds or pecans into the caramel mixture before setting, adding a delightful textural element.
• Spiced Caramel Sensation: Incorporate ground cinnamon, ginger, or cardamom into the cream mixture for a warm, aromatic flavor profile.
• Bourbon Caramel Indulgence: Add a splash of bourbon to the cream mixture for a sophisticated, boozy undertone that complements the sweet caramel.

Ina Garten Fleur De Sel Caramels Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 20 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s fleur de sel caramels blend rich buttery sweetness with delicate sea salt, creating an irresistible confection. Silky caramel layers melt luxuriously, offering a sophisticated treat that delights taste buds with complex French-inspired elegance.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1½ cups (300 g) sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) light corn syrup

Supplementary Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons (70 g) unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon fine fleur de sel, plus extra for sprinkling

Supporting Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by lining an 8-inch (20 centimeters) square pan with parchment paper, ensuring overhang on two sides. Delicately brush the surface with vegetable oil for easy release.
2. In a deep saucepan approximately 6 inches (15 centimeters) wide, unite water, granulated sugar, and corn syrup. Ignite the heat to medium-high, allowing the mixture to transform into a rich golden hue. Refrain from stirring; instead, gently swirl the pan to ensure even caramelization.
3. Simultaneously, warm the cream elements in a separate small pot. Combine heavy cream, unsalted butter, and fleur de sel, heating until a gentle simmer emerges. Remove from heat and let rest momentarily.
4. When the sugar mixture achieves a golden amber color, extinguish the flame. Gradually cascade the cream mixture into the caramel, anticipating vigorous bubbling. Incorporate vanilla extract and continue cooking over medium-low heat.
5. Monitor the temperature carefully using a candy thermometer until the mixture reaches precisely 248°F (120°C), indicating the firm ball stage. This process typically requires approximately 10 minutes of attentive cooking.
6. Meticulously transfer the molten caramel into the prepared pan. Refrigerate for several hours, allowing complete solidification.
7. Once firm, extract the caramel sheet and position on a cutting surface. Slice the sheet in half, then transform each segment into an 8-inch (20 centimeters) cylindrical log.
8. Sprinkle additional fleur de sel across the surface for enhanced flavor complexity. Trim uneven edges and segment each log into 8 uniform pieces.
9. Prepare individual wrapping materials from parchment or glassine paper, cutting into 4×5-inch (10×12.5 centimeters) rectangles. Carefully encase each caramel, elegantly twisting the ends.
10. Store the wrapped delicacies in the refrigerator, maintaining their pristine texture and flavor until serving.

Notes

• Gentle pan motion prevents sugar from turning grainy, so keep those wrist movements smooth and controlled.
• Amber-colored caramel happens lightning fast, so stay eagle-eyed and ready to lift the pan at a moment’s notice.
• Precision matters big time—hit that sweet spot of 248°F for caramels that nail the perfect chewy consistency.
• Patience pays off when letting caramels chill completely, ensuring clean cuts and picture-perfect candy squares.
• Parchment paper is your secret weapon for preventing sticky situations and keeping treats fresh and delectable.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 20
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 80mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 0.5g
• Cholesterol: 15mg