Chocolate Caramels

These buttery, chewy chocolate caramels created by Pastry Chef Eric Shelton have a full-bodied, deeply satisfying flavor.

By Scharffen Berger Chocolate

Crushed cocoa nibs add texture to these chocolate caramels.

Yield: About 150 pieces

Ingredients

Unsalted butter for the pan
1 1/2 cups (355ml) heavy cream
1 1/2 cups (397g) granulated sugar
1 cup plus 2 tbsps. (250ml) light corn syrup
1 tsp. (4.8g) salt
9 oz. (255g) Scharffen Berger 62% Cacao Semisweet Chocolate*, finely chopped
2 tbsps. (28g) Scharffen Berger Cacao Nibs crushed with a rolling pin (opt.)
*If unable to obtain SB chocolate, use another high-quality chocolate.

Recipe Instructions

Cut a 9x17-inch (23x43cm) piece of parchment paper. Lightly butter a 9x9x2-inch (23x23x5-cm)pan, and line it with the parchment paper, letting it extend evenly over two opposite sides.

Stir together the cream, sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a pot with a heavy bottom, and clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pot. Bring to a boil and then continue to cook until the mixture reaches 250°F. Remove the pot from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

Add the chocolate and stir with a heatproof spoon or spatula until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer with a small offset spatula.

Once the caramel has started to set, sprinkle with the nibs and press them in gently. Allow the caramels to cool at room temperature until firm, at least 2 hours.

Lift the caramel block from the pan, using the parchment paper "handles," and place on a cutting board. Dip a knife in hot water, dry, and cut the caramels into 1-inch (2.5-cm) squares, heating (and drying) the knife as necessary.

Store the caramels in an airtight container.

Recipe from Scharffen Berger | Photo from Scharffen Berger. All rights reserved.

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Photography by Jessica Washburn, Bliss Chocolatier and Ecole Chocolat