Caramel Decorations for Desserts! (Sugar Decoration Garnish Spun Sugar)

granulated sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Coconut sugar offers a lower glycemic index.

corn syrup

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: simple syrup

Simple syrup is easy to make and less processed.

butter

🥗Healthier: margarine

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Vegetable oil is a cost-effective alternative for greasing.

Combine granulated sugar with a little water in a saucepan.

Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil, avoiding stirring.

Swirl the pot occasionally until the color changes to a deep caramel.

Set aside to cool and thicken slightly.

For the first decoration, poke a toothpick into an almond to use as a handle.

Dip the almond into the slightly thicker caramel, holding it straight above the pot to allow excess caramel to drip down.

Once the drip has slowed and a long spike forms from the tip of the almond, cut away the excess caramel and allow to cool completely before removing from the toothpick.

For the next decoration, use an electric mixer with one whisk attached on the lowest speed and drizzle a thin strand of caramel over the whisk to create a nest shape.

Carefully remove the caramel from the whisk and serve.

For the next decoration, cover a rolling pin with parchment paper and secure it with elastic bands.

Drizzle strands of caramel in a criss-cross pattern across the rolling pin.

Gently rock the rolling pin back and forth to separate the caramel from the working surface, then remove the elastic bands and slide the rolling pin out from the paper.

To remove the paper, pinch the two sides together to lift it out carefully without breaking the caramel shape.

For the final decoration, use a ring mold or egg mold to stir the caramel around, occasionally lifting it out to test the viscosity.

When a thin film of caramel forms across the surface of the mold, quickly place the mold over your dessert (ice cream) and pull straight back up, breaking off the excess.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens