Homemade Salted Caramels Recipe | Moms Need To Know ™ (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to spray silicone molds for caramel? ›

Alternatively, if you make caramels enough, I would recommend using silicone molds (shown at the bottom of the page). If using a 9x13 inch pan, lightly oil the parchment paper and sides of the pan. If using molds, lightly spray with cooking oil.

The Pouring Process

Here are the steps to follow: Carefully remove the saucepan from the heat and place it on a heat-resistant surface. Using a heat-resistant spatula, quickly and carefully pour the hot caramel mixture into the molds or baking dish.

Whenever you buy a silicone product you can easily test to see if it contains fillers using the pinch or twist test. Its as easy as it sounds – pinch or twist the silicone – if it changes to a whiteish color, then it most likely has plastic fillers in it and is not 100% pure silicone.

As a result, they do not have to be greased to release the baked goods from the molds. If you want to be absolutely sure that nothing sticks, you can rinse the molds with cold water before baking and fill in the dough immediately afterwards. Silicone molds can be used, rinsed and reused as often as you like.

These are sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami. Salted caramel combines two of these, giving an effect that chefs call “flavour layering”. Salt also acts as an enhancer of flavour (that's why you sprinkle it on your chips, for instance), so that's why it makes caramel taste even better.

Most caramels will need a little time at room temperature in order to cut more easily. Cut in squares and wrap in waxed paper or parchment paper. Wrapped caramels can also be frozen.

Too much humidity – An overly humid environment can make caramel sticky and create a less than desirable layer of scum on its surface.

When making a wet caramel, water is added to help dissolve the sugar before cooking. Like dry caramel, you want to gently move the sugar mixture in that same side-to-side paintbrush-like fashion until the sugar dissolves.

The key to getting it right is to use soft caramels as opposed to hard. You must also add some sort of liquid, such as milk or cream, to prevent the caramels from drying out. Knowing these tricks will help you to melt caramels with ease.

4. Greasing Can Help. Generally, good old greasing is not really necessary with silicone molds. However, using cooking sprays or even greasing before baking and cooking can make your life a lot easier when it comes to washing them later on.

Do you need release spray for silicone molds? ›

Preserve Mold Details: For silicone molds with intricate details, a release agent prevents distortion or damage to those details during demolding. Multiple Casts: Applying a mold release agent can extend the lifespan of your silicone molds by minimizing wear and tear caused by frequent castings.

Most silicone requires a coating of grease and flour to ensure clean unmolding. My preference is Baker's Joy spray because it has no residual smell or taste and the cakes unmold perfectly. When it comes to coating small cavities of silicone molds, the spray also coats the top of the molds and bakes onto it.

NEVER use nonstick spray of any kind on your silicone molds or Silpats. The propellants in the spray will leave a residue that will build up over time and leave a sticky residue that will have the opposite effect and everything will stick.