How to Caramelize Sugar

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Whether you're making a creme brulee, flan, or another tasty treat, nothing tops a dessert quite like a gooey, golden brown coat of sugar. Follow this recipe for perfectly caramelized sugar every time.

Step 1: Combine sugar and water over medium-low heat
Combine the sugar and water in your heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat.

Tip
Add a drop of lemon juice to keep the mixture from hardening or crystallizing too quickly.

Step 2: Stir constantly until sugar dissolves
Stir constantly with the wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to simmer.

Step 3: Put the candy thermometer in the mixture
Attach the candy thermometer to the saucepan and lower it into the mixture. Be sure that it doesn't touch the bottom of the pan.

Step 4: Turn the heat to high; bring mixture to a boil
Turn the heat to high and bring the sugar mixture to a boil. Do not stir the mixture while it's boiling or the sugar will crystallize.

Tip
Keep the temperature under 375 degrees to avoid burning your sugar.

Step 5: Caramelize until mixture is an amber brown color
Allow the sugar mixture to caramelize until it reaches an amber brown color. Remove the pan from the heat immediately.

Step 6: Place pan in a large bowl of ice water
Place the pan in a large bowl filled with ice water to stop the caramelizing process and keep your sugar from getting burned. Use the caramelized sugar immediately in your favorite dessert or sweet treat.

Did You Know?
Per capita, American adults ate about 44 pounds of sugar in 2007, compared with about 40 pounds of high-fructose corn syrup.