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Ask The Expert: Jim Snooks, Co-Owner & President of Snooks Candies and Chocolate Factory

Snooks Candies and Chocolate Factory 
731 Sutter Street, Folsom, 916-985-0620, snookscandies.com

 

Q: What are the characteristics of confectionery caramel?

A: Caramel is created by cooking milk solids with sugar and corn syrup. Every recipe has different characteristics like smoothness, tenderness, chewiness, and color. Confectionery caramel (what you'll find at Snooks)—with a higher percentage of milk solids (cream, evaporated milk, butter)—has a higher risk of scorching, but if properly cooked, features a softer, more tender finish with a stand-up quality. Reducing the milk solids in caramel causes it to settle to a blob, unless cooked to a higher temperature; it will also be much chewier and less flavorful but have a longer shelf life. 



 —Jim Snooks, Co-Owner & President 


by Caitlin Emmett
Jim Snooks photo by Shoop's Photography. Caramel photo ©Fotograf - stock.adobe.com.