lets make something: caramels

This super basic recipe is one of my favorites to make during the holidays. These caramels are a Vance family tradition. Patrick's mom, Mary, makes the very best caramels. They melt in your mouth. After a few Christmases with his family I was ready to try to make them myself. Now I, too, make caramels every year. And every year they are just as yummy as the year before. The thing about them is that they take a couple of hours to make and they don't turn out every time. The challenge of making them and the surprise at the end of whether we'll actually have caramels (or caramel sauce) is part of the fun. This year was my best yet; I made 5 batches and 4 of them worked. 1 batch was runny and didn't set. But FOUR did! I am thrilled!
If you want, I'll send you some to taste.
Or if you want to try them for yourself and take on the challenge, here's the recipe.
You will need:



and a

Directions:

Mix the sugar, Karo syrup and 1/2 cup of heavy cream together.

Be sure the burner is set on low. Low, low, low. {When giving me the recipe, Mary couldn't emphasize this enough.}

Bring the sugar mixture to a boil @ 238 degrees, slowly.
Add 1/2 cup heavy cream.

Repeat; bring to boil @ 238 degrees.
Notice how the color starts to change:


Add final 1/2 cup heavy cream and bring to 238 degrees.

When the mixture reaches 238 degrees (for the third time), remove from heat and beat with a spoon.
Then,

Put into the fridge to set. Mary's recipe says to leave it overnight. But typically the caramels will be set within a few hours.

When they're ready:

Cut wax paper into 4" squares.

Turn caramels onto a cutting board. This may require some force!

Cut them into bite-size pieces. This doesn't have to be precise!
I let Henry help; I gave him a small cutting board, the knife from his children's silverware set and a row of caramel. He loved making squares!

Wrap the caramels in the cut wax paper.
This last step is the most important...
Do a VICTORY DANCE!
If the caramels actually turn out, this is no small feat. It's a cause for celebration!
{I usually store these in the freezer, but that's another weird Vance thing. They put all of their cookies and goodies in the freezer. That's how they like them best.A little strange huh? A frozen chocolate chip cookie over a soft one? I'm sure the fridge would be fine too.}