Compulsive hoarding is a mental disorder that is just beginning to be understood. As a hoarder, I have acquired things over the years with a specific purpose in mind at the time of the acquisition, used some of those items for their intended purposes, forgotten the goal for different objects, but now that I find that they have outlived their purpose in my life I am struggling to rid myself of those same things.

You can read the start of my journey here.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Yum. Caramels. Or how to turn your child into a little thief.

I haven't made caramels in about 6 years, because they're a bit time consuming. In fact, it took me an hour and a half to cut the caramels today. The heel of my hand still feels bruised tonight from pushing down on the knife to cut them. Then, it took another couple of hours to wrap each one. If they didn't stick to plastic wrap or waxed paper like they do, they wouldn't take so long to wrap. However, there's something rather gross about having to pick the plastic or waxed paper out of the caramel before eating it, so I'd rather use the cellophane.

Let me just say this:

They are totally worth the effort!

I made this little bowl the other night when I was doing the pinata. I wasn't sure what I was going to use it for when I was making it, but I knew it would be put to good use and Mom would like it. It wasn't until I was done making the caramels that I knew it's purpose.



To give you an idea of how many caramels are in there...the bowl is 9.25" in diameter and 6" tall. The doubled recipe I made makes 5.5 pounds of caramels. We did eat a few, but that's still over 5 pounds of goodness in that bowl!

I got my recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens CANDY cookbook that I've had for years, but it's also all over the web. If you want to try the recipe for yourself, you can find it here.

Oh. And the cookie jar?

Yeah. It's full now. I added 3 dozen more cookies after this picture was taken. The kids have been so good about not begging for any out of the jar, but I did go ahead and sneak one out for each of the girls today. It's such a temptation for them.

Speaking of temptation...Scooter really likes the caramels. Hopper does, too. And I did give them one here and there while I was wrapping them up today. The last time they got one, I gave Scooter hers and she immediately popped it into her mouth. I handed her Hopper's caramel and asked her to go give it to her sister. No sooner did I put it in her hand than the little turkey decided she wanted it. I caught her hand on it's way to her already full mouth, and told her it was her sister's. She grinned from ear to ear at having been busted, and I followed her to make sure she gave Hopper her caramel.

If you don't want to see your child become a little caramel thief, you may want to stick with store bought goodies!

7 comments:

  1. It's probably a good thing the caramels can't be whipped up in a jiffy!

    What a cute bowl! You haven't posted pictures of the pinata yet, have you?

    I wanna cookie, too :)

    Lucy

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  2. Wow on the super domesticity!!! Maybe I'll get brave and do some caramels, it sounds delicious!!

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  3. Do you have any tips or advice on the caramel recipe?

    (I love that bowl!)

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  4. i feel the same after decorating cakes (i use fondant, gumpaste, etc.) it's a lot of preparation and effort, but totally worth it.

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  5. Lucy..no..I haven't posted pictures yet. Way too busy. I will, but unfortunately, it's going to be a few days.

    Thanks, Abigail! :)

    Thanks Fern and Jennifer! :) And Jennifer...just follow the instructions. It's really that easy! Seriously. The only advice I can offer about the caramels...get someone else to cut them, because they wear your hands out for a few days! LOL

    Tiffany, I am envious. I tried my first fondant cake as a surprise wedding cake for our daughter back in April. It was a lot of fun, but I do have to admit that I cheated and used the store bought fondant! :) If you want, you can see it here: http://confessionsofaclosethoarder.blogspot.com/2010/04/great-cake-fiasco.html

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  6. Oh, and let me tell you how good they were! Thanks for letting us sample! I almost feel sorry for those who did not get theirs, somehow...oh well, mistakes happen..Brachs aint got nothin on you honey!

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