I am thoroughly convinced that vanilla pods are one of the most amazing ingredients to have when you’re in the kitchen. Slicing a delicate pod open and scraping out the fragrant seeds is strangely therapeutic, and the results are phenomenal. Adding the seeds to a cupcake batter or to a batch of salted caramels elevate the elegance and flavor of your homemade goodies. I mean, look at the little flecks of vanilla bean throughout these sticky sweet maple squares of deliciousness!
I made these caramels a couple weeks ago as a birthday gift, and I regretted it instantly. Not making the caramels, but giving them away. They are that good. You won’t be disappointed! I need to stop looking at the pictures now…
Maple and Vanilla Bean Salted Caramels
Makes about 60 caramels
1 cup heavy cream
5 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp maple extract
1 vanilla pod, split lengthwise and seeds scraped
1 tsp salt, I used sea salt
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup sugar
3 tbsp light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
Sea salt for sprinkling
Butter or line and butter an 8 inch square baking pan. Set aside.
Combine the cream, butter, extracts, vanilla pod and seeds and salt into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then remove from the heat and set aside.
In a large saucepan, whisk together the maple syrup, sugar, corn syrup and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over a medium heat. Continue to boil, swirling the pot occasionally, until the mixture turns a dark amber color (about 5-10 minutes).
Next, remove the vanilla pod from the cream mixture. Carefully stir in the still warm cream mixture into the caramel. Stir it constantly as it will bubble up! Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer until the caramel reaches between 240º-245º on a candy thermometer. It can take around 30 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat and pour into the prepared pan. Let cool for 30 minutes then sprinkle with sea salt. Continue to cool at room temperature for at least 3-4 hours before cutting into 1 inch squares and wrapping in squares of parchment. Yummy yummy!