A couple of weeks ago, in the post titled, Oh You Great Big Beautiful Blondie, I included a recipe for Caramel Blondies with a Peanut Butter Caramel Blondie variation. The post shows a layer of Blondie batter with dollops of Peanut Butter Caramel over the top and a second layer of batter being spread over the caramel. The lead photo also features the Peanut Butter Caramel Blondie variation.
However, mea culpa, I didn’t include the recipe for the Peanut Butter Caramel in that post, because I intend to use it in other desserts and thus want it to appear on its own in the archive. But of course I didn’t expect two weeks to fly by so fast, nor intend to leave you hanging for such a long time.
I hope you will forgive me for the delay when you taste this creamy dreamy caramel, which is fairly firm at room temperature or saucy when warm. If you don’t want to bake Blondies in this summer heat, try it warmed over the best vanilla ice cream you can get. Add roasted, salted peanuts, Caramelized Banana and either chopped bittersweet bar chocolate or finely crushed espresso beans for an uncommonly good, altogether grownup sundae.
Peanut Butter Caramel
This heavenly caramel has so many uses. You can add frozen dollops of it to a Brownie or Blondie batter, warm it to serve over ice cream, chill it to frost a cupcake, or serve it at room temperature as an accompaniment to tart sliced apples.
1 cup sugar
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
½ cup water
½ cup heavy cream, room temperature
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
½ teaspoon vanilla
½ cup creamy peanut butter
- To caramelize the sugar, in a 2-quart saucepan, combine sugar, cream of tartar, and water in a small saucepan and set over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the syrup clears. To prevent crystallization, do not rush this first step; use a pastry brush dipped in cold water to wash down the sides of the saucepan.
- When the sugar is fully dissolved, raise the heat, bring the syrup to a boil, and stop stirring. Continue heating without stirring until the syrup turns a medium-dark amber color. (An instant-read thermometer will test at 340°, but color alone is a reliable indicator.)
- Remove from the heat and carefully add the cream and then the butter. The mixture will foam and sputter, so be very careful. When sputtering subsides, stir with a silicon spatula until smooth.
- Return to a boil and boil until the mixture reaches 248°, about 1 minute.
- Remove the pan from the heat, add salt and vanilla, and incorporate.
- Let cool for about 20 minutes.
- When the caramel is still very warm, but not super hot, stir in the peanut butter thoroughly.
- Cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
Note If the caramel is too stiff after incorporating the peanut butter or when at room temperature, warm it slightly in the microwave and then stir in cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. You can even add enough cream to achieve a sauce consistency.
Makes about 1 cup.
About Susan S. Bradley
This looks unbelievably good! I must make some today. Any idea how long it lasts in the fridge?
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Susan S. Bradley Reply:
December 15th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
Tina, it lasts a VERY LONG time IF you don’t eat it.
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GOODNESS GRACIOUS> this looks and sounds incredible…. i adore peanut butter….
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Susan S. Bradley Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 8:54 am
Lyndsay, oh yes, this caramel is soooo decadent and yummy. I could eat it with a spoon.
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Interesting ingredients.
Thx.
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Susan S. Bradley Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Thank you!
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I’m pretty sure I’m hallucinating. Because this looks way too amazing to be real.
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Susan S. Bradley Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Joanne, oh it’s REAL alright, and I’m eating a big spoon of it right now.
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Excuse me while I drool all over myself…
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Susan S. Bradley Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Carla, LOL!
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OMG – this looks great! Perfect for ice cream.
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Susan S. Bradley Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Thank you, Steph!
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MaryMoh, that’s the spirit (i.e. pour it over everything).
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That’ll do, too! (notice I said “too”?) Meanwhile..I’ll make the sauce. It’ll tide me over..uh..’til Christmas?
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I’ve been Jonesing for it to use with the blondies, so it’s ’bout time! Kidding! Now, this looks like it would also make a really, really good fudge. The cooking method and temp would have to be reworked a little to adjust it to cooking to the softball stage. I’m not accomplished enough to figure it out. Think of this as a basis for fudge for a holiday post would you..or now? lol! Thanks, Susan!
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Susan S. Bradley Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Susan, LOL! I feel bad, really!
It’s cool that you mention fudge. I’m eating the caramel today right out of the refrigerator and wow is it wonderful. The consistency is a cross between creamy caramels and fudge. I love your idea about exploring a fudge option for the holidays. I’m already thinking about the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies extravaganza. How will I ever come up with 12 new cookies? But how about 2 thin, crisp wafer cookies with Peanut Butter Caramel in between?
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This looks gorgeous and delicious. Can’t wait to try it!
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Susan S. Bradley Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Thank you, Lori!
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That first photo is making me want to lick the computer screen!
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Susan S. Bradley Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Carter, thank you, I’m with you on that. I actually got to eat the whole bowl though.
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Thank you – have been watching for this recipe. Almost worth firing up the oven in the Atlanta heat!
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Susan S. Bradley Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Michelle, without your prompting, who knows how long it would have taken me to post it.
Forget the blondies. Just make the caramel. 
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I think I could find all kinds of uses for this including eating it straight from the pan in which it’s made! This is a must try.
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Susan S. Bradley Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Lisa, I have sunk so low that I am eating it with a spoon right out of the refrigerator. I keep putting it back in the frig then going back for more a few minutes later.
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Wow…that awesome, gooey caramel just looks irresistible. I have a whole range of food in my mind right now that I can pour this over….mmm
I have taken note . Hope to make soon. Thanks very much for sharing.
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