Gastronomy612′s Weblog

Changing seasons, weather and holidays invoke varying tastes and desires – to me.  I’m not going to speak for you, so don’t get all up in my face about how much you love candy cane bark throughout the year.  However, there is one candy that really transcends at least two seasons and four holidays: caramel.  You can eat caramel in the fall, whether plain or draped over tart apples with a popsicle stick through its core.  Then caramel milks its way through the rest of winter while invoking comfort and security.  Security? YES.  Each bite of a soft caramel is pure security if for no other reason (that I can find) other than it invokes home, warmth, fireplaces and…security.  Wouldn’t you want to gift that to someone?

First, whip up your favorite batch of caramel, and cut it up into small servings.

BUT, before you wrap it up all cute in individual wrappers made of wax paper (see – homey, cute and sweet!), temper your favorite chocolate in a double boiler.  When it has cooled down somewhat, take a regular/two-tined serving fork or your favorite candy dipping set and dip your caramel in to the chocolate.

However, be careful to get enough of the chocolate off our caramel so as to not develop chocolate feet on the bottoms.  Having the right tools when dipping will also immensely help in avoiding this.  However, if this advice fails you, rest assured that these feet can be amputated as soon as the chocolate has set.

It’s one thing to give the gift of security, as best as chocolate covered caramel can, but it is another thing to give the gift of ugly.  You HAVE to pretty it up, which means nothing more than waiting for the chocolate to set then drizzling chocolate over it.

Do you see the difference?  DO YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE!? No feet and super sophisticated.  Your friends, family, mail carrier and paper delivery person will be so excited to receive such a beautiful and tasty gift that your friends and family will forever be indebted to you because they will want this treat in years to come.  Your mail will never be returned to you even when you did not include enough postage and your paper will always be at your stoop on time, unless your neighbor steals it.

See?  Security in caramel.