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December 13, 2010

Proud Mother

A few months ago, you may remember me telling you that I don’t make caramel.  What I didn’t tell you was that I don’t have to – because my 16-year old can do it for me.
After our trip to France this summer, she wanted to recreate the caramel macarons that she ate at Laduree.  Laduree is world-renowned for its delicate macarons, and well before we packed our bags, I knew we’d be visiting one of their sumptuous locations. 
We saved Laduree for a final stop on the last day of our trip.  After a week in Normandy, we spent our final night in Paris in a hotel just a couple of blocks away from the Arc de Triomphe.  The Champs Elysees Laduree was packed with fans waiting to buy their favourite treats, and we stood in line for twenty minutes on a rainy August evening making our choices. We dodged raindrops on our way back to the hotel to enjoy them at leisure, and no one loved them more than she did.
Thus, her determination to make them herself when we got home.  Luckily, a few days later, the Globe and Mail published a recipe for caramel.  She improvised the cookie part, but for the caramel centres she went strictly by the book.
Unlike me, she isn’t unnerved by vague directions like “take it off the heat when it turns an amber colour”.  Her caramel was a perfect colour and texture.  The finished product was absolutely delicious – I’d be embarrassed to relate how quickly we finished off those macarons. 
And if I ever get the nerve to make caramel, I know who my tutor will be.

When you make your own macarons, you can put extra caramel
sauce on top, just because you like it that way.
Salted Caramel
(from the Globe and Mail website, Lucy Waverman)
If you want to use the remainder of this mixture for caramel sauce, reheat it and add enough whipping cream to thin it to a pourable consistency.
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cup whipping cream, warmed
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Method
Sprinkle sugar and lemon juice over the bottom of a large frying pan and cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, until melted. Continue to cook until dark amber, then remove from heat and carefully add cream (it will sputter and pop). Add salt and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until cream is incorporated. Let cool about 10 minutes, then stir in butter. Cool to room temperature before using. Makes 1 cup.
Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/recipes-making-whoopie-pies/article1680199/print/

Filed Under: Candy

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kayte says

    December 13, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    Wow, can she come here for a week or so? Those look so delicious! Always fun to read about your travels.

    Reply
  2. Jess says

    December 13, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    I LOVE caramel, but tend to burn things (not on purpose–it just happens a lot…hazard of having a two-year-old running around the kitchen). Even so, this looks so tasty I might just try it!

    Reply
  3. Claudia says

    December 13, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    A few days ago, I threw out the purchased caramel sauce that had been in the fridge since September. "It doesn't go bad!" exclaimed my son. And have been thinking of making some for him. Perfect, delicious timing! Brava to your daughter and her lovely caramel!

    Reply
  4. Valerie says

    December 13, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    Wow! Very impressive! It took me a long time to get over my caramel fears (they still creep back up on me now and then.)
    It looks as though you have a budding pastry chef. Lucky you! 😀

    Reply
  5. Faith says

    December 13, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    Wow Beth. Your caramels looks out of this world! I know how hard it is to prefect the caramels, trust me. You've donea great job with those little drops of heaven.

    Havea grat week ahead.

    Reply
  6. Monet says

    December 13, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    Now I just need to have your sweet girl come over to my house the next time I need a caramel sauce. This looks just heavenly! It was lovely to hear a bit more about your trip too! Thank you for sharing with me today. I hope you have a joyous Monday!

    Reply
  7. Jennifurla says

    December 13, 2010 at 6:16 pm

    Geese,,,pass that spoon!

    Reply
  8. katerina says

    December 13, 2010 at 6:23 pm

    You definitely deserve to be proud of her. They look very elegant and prof.

    Reply
  9. Tasha says

    December 13, 2010 at 7:14 pm

    I love caramel but I've definitely been intimidated to try it out myself. I might just have to wait until I have a teenage daughter myself.

    Reply
  10. comfortablydomestic.com says

    December 13, 2010 at 8:26 pm

    You should be very proud. That caramel looks perfect! The addition of lemon juice is interesting–I'll have to remember that.

    Reply
  11. Chow and Chatter says

    December 13, 2010 at 8:49 pm

    wow looking forward to when your daughter starts a blog!

    Reply
  12. Sweet And Crumby says

    December 13, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    Looks fabulous. Kudos to your daughter! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Dishesdone says

    December 13, 2010 at 10:42 pm

    WOW! She is brave 🙂 I wouldn't even attempt! And they macarons came out fantastic! So did the sauce. Perfect!

    Reply
  14. Pam says

    December 13, 2010 at 10:48 pm

    Great job to your daughter! They look delicious.

    Reply
  15. Zoe says

    December 13, 2010 at 11:57 pm

    Just want to dip my finger onto your spoon…

    Reply
  16. Jenn from Much to My Delight says

    December 14, 2010 at 12:59 am

    How wonderful that you and your daughter share a love for cooking and baking. I wish I had helped my mom out more in the kitchen; my love for baking and cooking didn't come until much later. And making macarons is no small feat…I heard they are really painstaking to make! Hats off to your daughter!

    Reply
  17. Peppy says

    December 14, 2010 at 1:09 am

    I tried making caramel once and it was absolutely awful and burnt! Good thing you have someone to make it for you 🙂

    Reply
  18. tenaciouslyyours.com says

    December 14, 2010 at 2:36 am

    Hello, Industry. I am SO impressed that your girl made that happen. Actually, I'm impressed by anyone who is brave enough to take a whack at making caramel 🙂

    Reply
  19. Jeanne says

    December 14, 2010 at 3:26 am

    If I had caramel that looked that good, I'd drizzle it on everything! Your daughter definitely has a knack for caramel – lucky you. 🙂

    Reply
  20. Barbara Bakes says

    December 14, 2010 at 4:36 am

    I would love to try a Laduree macaron one day. I'll have to give this caramel recipe a try. So great that she was fearless.

    Reply
  21. allieksmith says

    December 14, 2010 at 12:37 pm

    Wow, your daughter is a pro! I have never heard of Laduree macaroons but I know all food abroad is typically amazing :o)

    Reply
  22. Solvang Sherrie says

    December 14, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    Thanks for the recipe! I'll be trying that out soon 🙂

    Reply
  23. LDH says

    December 14, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    What a great job she did! I can just imagine how delicious it was by the photo of the caramel dripping off of the spoon!

    Reply
  24. Shannon says

    December 14, 2010 at 3:03 pm

    oh wow, how awesome 🙂 i'm intrigued by the lemon juice! it was not in the recipe that i made… i'll have to try this version, too, since you can never have enough caramel sauce!

    Reply
  25. Barbara says

    December 14, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    There's nothing I like better than a sundae with vanilla ice cream and caramel Going to try this recipe ASAP. Kudos to your daughter!

    Reply
  26. Peggy says

    December 14, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    I was weary about making caramel for the first time too, but after I did, it definitely turned into something I make often! You're lucky to have a fearless caramel making daughter!

    Reply
  27. Heavenly Housewife says

    December 14, 2010 at 5:41 pm

    NOt long ago, I made my own caramel. I was always afraid it would be too hard, but it wasn't that bad. Actually it was quite tasty 😉
    *kisses* HH

    Reply
  28. Rita says

    December 14, 2010 at 7:39 pm

    Your 16 year old is a bron foodie; lucky you! I am sure this is very good eaten right out of teh spoon. Now, I wonder if I could make this.

    Reply
  29. Val says

    December 14, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    This is ao awesome. You must be so proud…..yum

    Reply
  30. Emma says

    December 14, 2010 at 9:45 pm

    What a clever little duck! I've only just started to make caramel in the last few years or so, you have a masterchef on your hands 🙂

    Reply
  31. Indie.Tea says

    December 14, 2010 at 11:33 pm

    Wow, she sounds like a very talented teenager! And her caramel looks delicious. I found caramel a bit difficult at first, but it becomes easier over time…

    Reply
  32. Catherine says

    December 14, 2010 at 11:55 pm

    It's so great getting the kids to help out in the kitchen. I have to say, its one of my proudest moments!
    The caramel sounds wonderful. I've never tried making my own caramel, but I think I will soon!
    Cheers~

    Reply
  33. Velva says

    December 15, 2010 at 2:24 am

    I experienced my first macaron in Paris this past summer. Macarons are not easy to tackle and she did fabulous-wow, the caramel sauce too. Totally impressive.

    Reply
  34. Joanne says

    December 15, 2010 at 11:33 am

    Whoa I am impressed! That looks like it's the perfect color and consistency! Bravo!

    Reply
  35. Nancy says

    December 15, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    Dee-Vine!!
    Caramel–one of my weaknesses. So impressed that your sixteen year old is so adept.

    Reply
  36. A Canadian Foodie says

    December 15, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    You won my heart on this one, Beth. We were in Paris this summer, too! I am so so so impressed with your daughter's skills and desires – and do I have a treat for her. I attended Laduree's Macaron Making class when I was there in July, and salted caramel macarons were one of the ones we made. I have the entire lesson with all recipes posted in two posts on my site: one of the fillings and one of the shells – and then, Ta-da! I did it! After a year (or more) on a personal quest to conquer the elusive French Macaron, myself, I made the salted caramel macaron SUCCESSFULLY. I was so excited. I have a post on that, too. It is so exciting to have a child that loves to cook. That is what this is all about: creating traditions for future generations. My daughters are older, but, I would love to share in your daughter's quest, trials, and triumphs. This is a formidable task. I admire that!
    🙂
    Valerie

    Reply
  37. Angela Ackerman says

    December 15, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    This is the first year I've had 'salted' caramel anything! There really is a flavor difference. Thanks so much for the recipe!

    Angela @ the Bookshelf Muse

    Reply
  38. SavoringTime in the Kitchen says

    December 16, 2010 at 3:14 am

    Bravo to your daughter! What perfectly delicious-looking caramel! And what a fitting remembrance to your wonderful trip.

    Reply
  39. Beth says

    December 16, 2010 at 10:23 am

    Thanks to everyone for your awesome comments. Valerie, I checked out your blog and found the very-detailed description of how you made macarons. Wow — that was a real labour of love! I've bookmarked it for my daughter to read.

    Reply
  40. Sue says

    December 16, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    Oh my gosh, that caramel looks absolutely beautiful and perfect! I'd LOVE to try one! I see a foodie blog in your daughter's future:)

    Reply
  41. Reeni says

    December 16, 2010 at 5:14 pm

    That's just the way I'd have mine too – with extra caramel on top! It looks perfect! Your daughter has natural baking talent.

    Reply
  42. Raina says

    December 17, 2010 at 1:23 am

    I have always wanted to try to make caramel but have been intimidated by it. Thank you for the recipe. Very impressive that your daughter would try and recreate this. Good for her…sounds like she did a great job:)

    Reply
  43. jillbert says

    December 17, 2010 at 2:50 am

    I would love to master caramel. Maybe the trick is not knowing that it's a scary thing to make!

    Reply
  44. 5 Star Foodie says

    December 17, 2010 at 3:24 am

    Wow, your daughter did a terrific job with caramel, excellent!

    Reply
  45. Angie's Recipes says

    December 17, 2010 at 8:40 am

    No wonder you feel proud! The caramel looks terrific!

    Reply
  46. Amie Kaufman says

    December 17, 2010 at 11:59 am

    Oh, gorgeous! I am always so impressed by people who don't allow themselves to be intimidated by vague directions. I agonise over things like that, leave them cooking, worry, wonder and then usually let it go too far!

    Reply
  47. shaz says

    December 18, 2010 at 2:14 am

    Bravo, bravo! Well done to your daughter. I know how scary caramel can be, so she did a really great job. And macarons on top of it, wow you are one lucky mama 🙂 Loved your market post too, I always try to fit a market in whenever we travel whether local or overseas. I love markets, doesn't matter if it's a craft market, food market, flea market, I'm there 🙂

    Reply
  48. highlandsranchfoodie says

    December 18, 2010 at 12:43 pm

    Wonderful. Caramel is my favorite and would love to learn how to make it.

    Reply
  49. julie says

    December 20, 2010 at 4:30 pm

    Caramel has to be one of my all time favorite foods. Ever. How neat that your daughter had the tenacity to not only tackle that recipe, but to perfect it on the very first try! Good for her!

    Reply
  50. Foodessa says

    December 21, 2010 at 1:50 pm

    Next time in Paris…I'll be checking out these sweet treats. I was vacationing there last year for 4 days…and never made it through a quarter of the things I wanted to visit. I guess this is why people keep going back ;o)

    Your daughter's sweet tooth for caramel has pleased me enough to want to try it and compare the one recipe I've been counting on for years. Looks incredibly yummy!!!

    Flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

    Reply
  51. Grapefruit says

    January 11, 2011 at 7:27 am

    Parfait! She couldn't have done a better job. Bravo!

    Reply

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