Cook caramel if you dare...

HEY THERE :)

Yesterday afternoon, I decided to do a small extra credit project for science class. In our class, extra credit can consist of whatever you choose. I chose something I would think to be fun... instead, it turned into a sticky mess.

Eight tablespoons of sugar, and four tablespoons of water. That's all you need to cook caramel. You see, once the sugar becomes heated, it cooks down into a gooey syrup through a process called caramelization. Through this process, new compounds are formed, and they take on the dark and thick characteristics of caramel. (Note: I'm not scientist. Please correct/continue explanation if needed)

Anyways, it took me three attempts to come somewhat close to correctly executing the art of caramel.

Here's the URL for the site I pulled the recipe from, if you're interested: http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-make-caramel

Okay, you want to know now how it went?

First attempt: burned caramel. Sugar started bubbling and I started freaking out because I thought the smoke detector would go off/the kitchen would explode.

Second attempt: all was going well until water was added. Addition of the water resulted in a huge, evil sugar mutant. During this attempt, I ruined my mama's wooden spoon.

Third attempt: went okay... the caramel quickly hardened, though. Now, there is a brick of hard sugar sitting in a class jar at the top of my locker. It's rather malodorous, as the jar was formerly home to garlic.

If any of you brave soldiers are willing to try this recipe, go for it. If it comes out decent, shoot us a pic. I know I'd love to see!

More to come soon!

-Lindsey :)

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