Homemade English Caramel: Chocolate and Almond Caramel Recipe

English caramel is a classic treat that combines the rich, buttery sweetness of traditional caramel with luxurious chocolate and crunchy almonds. Making it at home may seem intimidating, but with careful attention to detail, you can create a dessert that rivals anything in a boutique candy shop. This guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the caramel:

1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
½ cup (120ml) water
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, cubed
½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

For the chocolate coating:

1 cup (180g) dark or milk chocolate, chopped
2 teaspoons coconut oil (optional, for smoother chocolate)

For the almond topping:

½ cup (50g) toasted almonds, chopped

Equipment Needed

Medium saucepan
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
Candy thermometer (highly recommended)
Baking tray lined with parchment paper
Small saucepan (for chocolate, if not using microwave)

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Caramel Base

In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium heat.
Stir gently until the sugar dissolves completely. Avoid stirring too vigorously once it starts boiling; swirling the pan is enough.
Bring the mixture to a boil and allow it to simmer until it turns a deep amber color (around 170°C / 338°F if using a candy thermometer). This is the caramelization stage and gives the caramel its characteristic flavor.

Tip: Be patient here; rushing may cause the sugar to burn, resulting in a bitter taste.