Sweets For My Sweet

So for Sarah’s birthday, I tried to think of what to give her as a present. Actually, she had already had her present from me, Amy and Sarah (aka Team MASH) which was her birthday crown, but I wanted to give her a little something extra for inviting me, and letting me stay at her house. I know she’s a huge fan of salted caramel anything so I thought I would attempt to make some for her, and thought I would share the recipe here – it was much easier than I thought! (Please forgive the photos – I made this after work and took the photos as an afterthought on my little point and shoot)

So, to make salted caramel sauce, you will need:

• 75g unsalted butter
• 50g soft light brown sugar
• 50g golden caster sugar
• 50g golden syrup
• 125ml double cream
• 1tsp salt crystals (not table salt, but more like the stuff you put in a salt mill)

Melt the butter, sugars and golden syrup in a small pan, and let it simmer for a few minutes, giving it a stir every so often.

Add in the cream and stir together, adding in the salt as you stir.

Done! I sprinkled a bit more salt on top which made that extra salty, but it was still good!

One jar didn’t seem like enough, so I thought I’d make my favourite ice cream sauce. I didn’t realise that I’d made this before, but dulce de leche is one of the yummiest and easiest things to make.

Take a can of condensed milk, take the label off (if you can!) and stab two holes opposite each other on the top.

Put the can in a small pan, with water coming up to about halfway up the can. (Any further, and it could go in the can). I put a cloth in the pan to stop it rattling about (because from previous experience, its REALLY annoying to have the can rattling about in a metal pan) Put the pan on a medium heat to bring the water to a simmer, then turn down the heat to keep it simmering. Keep the water topped up, as the can needs to be in the pan simmering for at least 3 hours. (I kept this on the heat for about 3 and a half hours. I think it could have done with a bit longer actually)

After the can has cooled down, open the can. It looks…crap.

But then give it a bit of a stir…

NOM.

So I tipped it into a bowl…

Gave it a bit of a whisk…

And done!

The jars were just £1 from Ikea, and double quantities of both of these recipes filled them. The dulce de leche can also be used to make things like banoffee pies – just pour it into a pastry case lined with banana slices and pop more banana on top.