Description
Salted Pumpkin Caramels are rich, buttery candies infused with pumpkin puree, warm spices, and maple syrup, layered with toasted pumpkin seeds, and topped with flaky sea salt. This seasonal treat strikes the perfect balance between sweet and salty, making it ideal for fall gatherings, holiday candy platters, or festive gifting.
Ingredients
2/3 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
2 cups white sugar
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into slices
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt (such as fleur de sel)
Instructions
- Toast pumpkin seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for about 3 minutes, until golden and nutty. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
- Butter an 8×8-inch dish, line with parchment, and butter both sides of the paper. Spread pumpkin seeds evenly across the bottom.
- In a small saucepan, warm pumpkin puree and heavy cream over low heat. Keep nearby.
- In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, maple syrup, corn syrup, and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high, whisking occasionally. Reduce heat to medium and cook until mixture reaches 245°F (118°C).
- Slowly whisk in the warm pumpkin cream mixture, being careful of bubbling. Cook until mixture returns to 240–245°F (115–118°C).
- Remove from heat and stir in butter, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and vinegar until smooth.
- Pour caramel into prepared pan over the pumpkin seeds. Let cool for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate 30 minutes before cutting into 64 squares.
Notes
- Use a candy thermometer for accuracy.
- Wipe knife with a hot, damp towel between cuts to prevent sticking.
- Substitute pecans, walnuts, or almonds for pumpkin seeds.
- Drizzle cooled caramels with melted chocolate for extra indulgence.
- Wrap individually in wax paper for gifting.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 caramel
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
