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Pomegranate Caramels take ordinary caramels up a notch or two. Think chewy, creamy caramel with a fruity touch. This easy to make pomegranate candy is a festive treat and make wonderful Rosh Hashanah gifts.
Why you'll love this recipe
This week was Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It is a time of celebration, reflection, and renewal. Traditionally, family and friends gather to celebrate and often there are foods served that are symbolic of our New Year’s wishes.
Apples are dipped in honey in the hope of a sweet New Year and the many seeds of the pomegranate represent our merits and the hope is to increase our merits in the year to come.
The number of seeds in each pomegranate is also said to correlate with the 613 commandments, or good deeds, of the Torah. The fruit represents knowledge, learning, and wisdom.
Pomegranate Caramels embody all of those hopes and wishes along with easy to make deliciousness.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions.The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- In a 2 quart saucepan over medium heat, bring the pomegranate juice to a boil. Lower temperature and simmer uncovered until the juice is reduced to ¾ cup (about 15 minutes). Set aside.
- In a 2 quart saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add sugar, corn syrup, salt, condensed milk, and reduced pomegranate juice. Stir continually until the mixture reaches 248° F on a candy thermometer.
- Pour the mixture into an 8” x 8” baking pan lined with parchment paper. Allow to cool at room temperature.
- For easier cutting, refrigerate for 15-30 minutes until quite firm.
Storage
Wrap caramels in wax paper, then decorative foil.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Tips
- This pomegranate candy recipe requires juice concentrate for flavor. Many fruit juices come in frozen concentrates. Pomegranate juice isn't readily available in frozen concentrate, but making your own concentrate adds less than 15 minutes to the recipe.
- I had excellent results with both the Pom brand (refrigerated) and the Trader Joe’s brand ( shelf stable) of pomegranate juice.
- The recipe requires ¾ cup of juice concentrate. Starting with 3 times that amount (2 ¼ cups), the juice is simmered to evaporate the liquid and concentrate the flavor until ¾ cup of juice remains.
- For a lovely, soft, chewy consistency, Pomegranate Caramels should be stored at room temperature. However, for easy cutting and wrapping, I recommend chilling the caramel (for about 15 minutes) to temporarily harden.
- Waxed paper can be cut in squares (4”x 4”) for wrapping with twisted ends or can be purchased pre-cut. For celebrations and gift giving, cellophane or foil wrappers provide sparkle.
- Wrapping on a flat surface (rather than holding the caramel in your hand) helps keep the candy from warming and the foil from wrinkling.
Frequently asked questions
Is a candy thermometer required for making caramel candy?
For best results, a candy thermometer is recommended for this recipe to ensure that the mixture reaches the correct temperature to provide the chewy consistency.
Can this recipe be made in other flavors?
Yes! Subsitute the pomegranate concentrate with the same amount of any other fruit juice concentrate.
Do you have to wrap the caramels in wax paper?
I recommend wrapping caramel candy in thin strips of waxed paper (hand cut) as extra protection from sticking, even if the foil wrappers are labeled “anti-stick candy wrappers”. Then, cover each caramel in foil.
More Rosh Hashanah gift ideas
This Rosh Hashanah Gift Guide is full of great ideas for New Year gifts and recipes!
Honey Applesauce Cake is a year round favorite. This moist, flavorful loaf is ideal for gifting and snacking.
Biscotti are a welcome gift any time of year. With flavors like Honey Biscotti and Apple Biscotti, they are perfect for High Holy Day sharing.
Apple and Honey Cookies are a Rosh Hashanah treat! The cookies get their fruity flavor and chewy texture from apple butter and are topped with honey icing!
You may be surprised to find that the apples and honey combination is fabulous on crunchy Apples and Honey Popcorn and in Apples and Honey Chocolate Bars!
These Honey Lollipops are a show stopper! Make them in an apple shaped mold for the perfect New Year sweet.
If you enjoyed making and sharing these caramels for Rosh Hashanah, don’t miss Golden Chocolate Coins for Hanukkah, my family's favorite Hamantaschen Recipefor Purim, andPassover Mandel Bread!
Wishing everyone a healthy, happy, and peace-filled New Year. L’Shana Tova!
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Pomegranate Caramels
These chewy, creamy caramels have a fruity touch. Easy to make sweets for a festive treat or wonderful gifts.
5 from 2 votes
Print Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Jewish
Prep Time: 1 hour hour
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Chill time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 2 hours hours
Servings: 60
Calories: 66kcal
Author: Wendy Sondov
Adapted From: ChallengeDairy.com
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups pomegranate juice
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 14 ounce sweetened condensed milk canned
Instructions
In a 2 quart saucepan over medium heat, bring the pomegranate juice to a boil. Lower temperature and simmer uncovered until the juice is reduced to ¾ cup (about 15 minutes). Set aside.
Line an 8” x 8” baking pan with parchment paper.
In a 2 quart saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
Add sugar, corn syrup, salt, condensed milk, and reduced pomegranate juice. Stir continually until the mixture reaches 248° F on a candy thermometer.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Allow to cool at room temperature.
For easier cutting, refrigerate for 15-30 minutes until quite firm. Lift the caramel out of the pan using the overhanging parchment paper as handles. Place on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut the caramel into individual pieces (approximately 1” x ¾”).
Wrap caramels in wax paper then decorative foil.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- For a lovely, soft, chewy consistency, store at room temperature. However, for easy cutting and wrapping, I recommend chilling the caramel (for about 15 minutes) to temporarily harden.
- Waxed paper can be cut in squares (4”x 4”) for wrapping with twisted ends or can bepurchased pre-cut. For celebrations and gift giving,cellophaneorfoil wrappersprovide sparkle.
- Wrapping on a flat surface (rather than holding the caramel in your hand) helps keep the candy from warming and the foil from wrinkling.
Packing tips
Pack individually wrapped caramels in an airtight plastic storage container or freezer weight ziplock bag. Only ship caramels during cold weather.
Nutrition
Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
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First Published: September 23, 2017. Last Updated: August 28, 2022.Updated for additional information and better reader experience.
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