Everyday Foods Homemade: Caramel Sauce

Photo courtesy of Willow Bird Baking

Ok first of all this is my disclaimer.  Once you make this you will be addicted, and you will eat it all within day(s)!!! That being said,  consider yourself warned!!

The first time that I attempted to make caramel I swore that it would be the last, I burned my finger, started a small kitchen fire, and had to throw away the first batch....and then I tasted it!  I guess it’s like what they say about childbirth, you swear you’d never do it again, and then you see that babies face and you forget the whole 9 month ordeal (this was not my experience, but I have heard this said by more than one woman)!  And there you are pregnant again, (again not my experience).

This is the ultimate science experiment.  As the temperature changes the caramel goes through an amazing metamorphosis.  First it’s a liquid, then a solid, then it changes colors, then it turns back to a liquid.  It’s really quite fascinating.  I am always afraid that I’m doing it wrong every time.  I guess it’s just the nature of the beast to be extremely temperamental  (perhaps a thermometer would cure this problem.)

Anyhow I found the recipe on Pinterest via Willow Bird Baking.  They have a great blog with a fabulous collection of recipes.  This caramel sauce recipe was paired with a honey bun cake, and the recipe can be found here.  

Taste Tester Approved!

Simple Perfection atop a fresh strawberry

This caramel is so wonderful, my fave way to eat it is just atop strawberries.  This way you are able to get the true essence of the caramel with out it being overwhelmed by any other flavors.  Others in my household prefer to make caramel sundaes with toasted pecans.  Either way you are in for a real treat!

Caramel Pecan Sundae

Noteworthy: 
*** I usually quadruple the batch.  I figure for the trouble you might as well make it worth you time.


***I suggest that you do not attempt this around children since the temperature is extremely hot.  It's too dangerous to do around the wee ones.

Day 6: 10 Things to Be Thankful for- The Sun

Being fortunate enough to reside in Southern California we get a lot of bonding time with this great luminary. If it’s cloudy for more than 2 days we’re like, “hey what’s up? We don’t live in one of those other places where the sun is an infrequent visitor! We’re Californians, and we are not used to arctic temperatures that plummet below 70!”

But there could be nothing more relaxing than lying on the beach and basking in the sun and all its glory (of course with plenty of SPF)! When I’m at the hospital all day I can’t wait to get out from those walls, and feel the warmth of the sun as it wraps its arms around me and fills me with Vitamin D! Ok slightly dramatic I know.


And it’s amazing how much it affects one’s mood. While living in the Midwest I felt really depressed and unmotivated not being able to see the sun on a regular basis. It is actually something that I think about often how I am so thankful to be back where my roots are deep in the warm southern sunshine, with flip flops. And I know that JMP enjoys her time in the sunshine taking little L for runs. Something about the sun just gives you energy and life; I mean even flowers are drawn to it! 
So go out and take a bike ride!