HOW TO MAKE CARAMEL HARD CANDY RECIPES

Steps:

• Fill a 15x10x1-in. pan with confectioners' sugar to a depth of 1/2 in. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, make a continuous curved-line indentation in the sugar; set pan aside. , In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and continue cooking for 3 minutes to dissolve any sugar crystals., Uncover and cook on medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage). Remove from the heat; stir in extract and food coloring if desired. , Carefully pour into a glass measuring cup. Working quickly, pour into prepared indentation in pan. Cover candy with confectioners' sugar. When candy is cool enough to handle, cut into pieces with a scissors. Store in a covered container.

Steps:

• Generously spray a 9-by-12-by-2-inch pan with cooking spray; line it with parchment and butter the top of the parchment.
• In a large saucepan, mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup and 1 cup of the cream. Heat until the mixture begins to boil. Slowly stream the remaining 1 cup cream into the mixture, stirring while it's boiling. Attach a candy thermometer to the pan and cook the mixture over medium heat until it reaches 244 degrees F. Remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, chopped pecans and vanilla. Pour the candy into the prepared pan. Cool the candy in the refrigerator until it is just firm but not hard, about 1 hour.
• Cut the candy into 1-inch squares. Cut waxed paper into 4-inch squares and wrap each piece of candy individually. Store in the refrigerator. Remove the candy from the fridge and allow it to soften slightly before serving.