Caramel facts for kids
Caramel is a sweet food that can be light beige to dark brown. It is made by heating sugar. People use caramel to add flavor to puddings and desserts. It can also be a filling for candies like bonbons. You can also find it as a topping for ice cream, custard, and coffee.
Sugar starts to melt at about 135°C (275°F). The process called caramelization begins when sugar is heated to at least 150°C (302°F), and often around 170°C (338°F). As the sugar gets hotter, its molecules break down. They turn into new compounds that give caramel its special color and flavor.
Many candies and desserts use caramel. Some popular ones include caramel apples, pralines, nougats, brittles, crème caramel, and crème brûlée.
Contents
What is Caramel Candy?
Caramel candy is a soft, chewy sweet. It is made by boiling a mix of milk or cream, sugar, butter, and vanilla. Sometimes, the sugar is heated first to 170°C (338°F) to make caramel before adding other ingredients. Another way is to cook all ingredients together. This method makes the milk turn into caramel, but the sugar itself does not fully caramelize. This type of candy is often called "milk caramel" or "cream caramel."
What is Caramel Coloring?
Caramel coloring is a dark, slightly bitter liquid. It is made when sugar is almost completely caramelized. This liquid is then bottled. It is used as a food coloring and in beverages like cola.
Making Caramel Sauce
Caramel sauce is made by heating water and caster sugar at a low to medium temperature. This is done until the sugar dissolves and "caramelizes." This process changes its color to a golden brown.
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Images for kids
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Milk caramel candies, shaped as squares. People eat them or melt them down.
