| How to Decoupage Jars Posted: 22 Jan 2022 12:00 AM PST Decoupage is an easy craft technique that uses a special glue to affix paper or fabric to a hard surface. Decoupaging a jar is an enjoyable way to add interest to a plain glass jar. This project has many possibilities, as both the style of the jar and the added decoupage images can vary. From kitchen drinking glasses to bathroom supply jars, gift jars, and display jars, this article will help you to learn the basics of decoupage. [Edit]Preparing the Jar - Choose a glass jar that has sufficient surface space for images. If you are a beginner to decoupaging jars, it is best to start with a jar with a larger surface. Once you have the experience, you can downsize to smaller jars later. A large jam jar or mason jar is a great start because they are big and easy to hold.[1]
- Another thing to consider is the appeal of the jar. A basic mason jar may be too plain or not interesting enough to you. If the jar has a unique shape, this can heighten the appeal of the end look once the project is completed.
- Wash the jar in warm, soapy water. Begin by removing any labels attached to the jar, along with the leftover adhesive left behind. If the adhesive proves stubborn, use a rubbing oil to assist, such as orange oil or eucalyptus oil. Glass jars also tend to get a lot of fingerprints on the outside. Wash the surface of the jar you chose with a cloth, mild soap, and warm water.[2]
- If soap and water are not enough, use some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball to wipe the surface of the glass. This will remove any additional grease or grime on the jar.
- Allow the jar to dry fully before using it. Make sure the glass is dry before you begin your project. Also check that all adhesive has been removed, along with any unpleasant odors. If you have an older glass jar with remaining odors, either wash again or use an odor removal technique such as soaking with vinegar or washing out with baking soda.[3]
- If you're using a drinking glass, place a piece of tape around the top of the glass to avoid your lips coming in contact with leftover glue.[4]
[Edit]Selecting and Cutting the Images - Decide what image(s) you would like to use on your jar. Think of what images you would like to put on your jar. The choice of image is completely up to you, and you can choose a variety of materials, such as wrapping paper, fabric, wallpaper, or even ribbons.[5]
- If you're having trouble selecting an image, consider the end use intended for the jar as a guide. For example, if the jar is to contain candy, find images with pieces of candy or other tasty treats.
- If you want to do an autumn theme, you can get real or fake fall leaves to adhere to your jar.[6]
- Cut the images to fit the jar. If you printed out an image on paper, use scissors to cut around the image so that it fits on your jar. You may want to measure the image you're cutting to make sure it will fit the jar.[7]
- If you're using fabric, make sure to use fabric scissors to cut it.
- Use a craft or cutting knife to trim away any excess paper. If you printed an image with intricate details, such as a flower, you can use a small cutting knife to trim away any excess paper. Before cutting, place the image on a cutting mat to protect your work surface. Then use the craft knife and press it against the image to slowly cut around the edges.[8]
- Arrange the images on the jar to your liking. Before you begin decoupaging, place your images on the jar, so you get an idea of how you would like to arrange them. They can be in any placement you prefer, and can even overlap.[9]
- If you need to, make small marks with a light maker to clarify the exact positioning of the imaging on the jar. You can use a pen suited to glass if you need to make placement markers on the jar.
[Edit]Applying Images to the Jar - Prepare the work surface by laying down paper. Lay out a sheet of grease-proof paper, like parchment paper, on your table or workspace. This protects the surface from glue residue. Parchment paper provides a good surface because it won't stick to the glue you put on your jar.
- Avoid newspaper when covering your workspace. It will stick to your mason jar and ruin your project.
- Decide on a decoupage medium, or glue, to adhere your images to the jar. There are a variety of mediums to choose from at a craft store. Some popular decoupage glues, such as Mod Podge and Collage Pauge, are made especially for decoupaging. When purchasing your glue, consider the type of finish you want. You can get gloss for a shiny finish, or matte for a flat finish.[10][11]
- You can also make your own decoupage glue with water and basic white craft glue. Pour 1-part water and 1-part glue in a paper cup and mix it with a craft stick. Make sure to stir it well and use it quickly before it dries.[12]
- Paint a thin layer of decoupage glue on the jar. Dip your sponge brush in the decoupage glue, and carefully paint a thin layer on your glass jar. If you are only putting the image on one section of the jar, just paint that section. If you are putting images around the entire jar, cover it with glue. Make sure to completely cover the areas your pictures will touch.
- If the images are small, or you're layering them, put the decoupage glue on the back of the image. To do this, lay the image face down on the grease-proof paper. Use the sponge brush to evenly apply the decoupage glue to the back.
- The layer needs to be thin, otherwise the pictures might get too wet and tear.[13]
- Place the images onto the jar. Once you have put all the glue you need on the jar or the back of the pictures, you can place them on the surface. If you made marks on your jar earlier, use these to guide your placement. Otherwise, add the images wherever you'd like. Use your fingers to gently push down and smooth out any wrinkles.[14]
- If you made a mistake with your positioning on the jar, use tweezers to remove or adjust the image. This will help to avoid sticky fingers.
- Repeat for any additional images being added. If you decided to overlap any images, do so with care to ensure that the images look neat and appropriately placed.
- Allow the decoupage glue to dry. Before moving forward with the next steps, wait for the decoupage glue dry completely. This may take an hour or more, depending on the thickness of the paper you used to cover the jar.[15]
- Small air bubbles may form while the glue is drying. If this happens, use a safety pin or utility knife to pop them. Then use your fingers to smooth it out.
- Apply 2 to 3 layers of the decoupage glue on the jar to seal the images. Once the glue has dried, use the sponge brush to apply a layer of the decoupage glue directly on top your images. Allow this layer to dry for two hours, and then add another one. Keep adding coats of the glue until the edges of your pictures are smooth.[16]
- Make sure you allow the glue to dry for at least two hours before adding another coat.
- The decoupage glue will appear cloudy when first added, but it will dry clear.
- Wait for your jar to dry before you use it. It is important to wait until your jar is completely dry before touching it. You don't want to mess up all the work you just did. To play it safe, let it dry overnight. The next day, it should be completely safe to pick up without messing up the pictures.[17]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Decoupage image(s), either paper or fabric
- Decoupage glue or finish (or use thin, white craft glue)
- Sponge brush (1-inch/2.5cm width)
- Craft knife
- Scissors (and fabric scissors if needed)
- Cutting mat
- Tweezers
- Marker pen suitable for glass surfaces
- Freezer paper (aka grease-proof paper)
- Water-based varnish (optional)
[Edit]References |
| How to Get Rid of Writer's Block Posted: 21 Jan 2022 04:00 PM PST Writer's block is frustrating, but it's an extremely common problem; even the best writers suffer from it on occasion. You may be a bit of a perfectionist who's worried about making a mistake, or you may be struggling to find something to write about. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of tricks, tips, and habits you can use to shake your writer's block and get back into the right headspace to get some writing done. [Edit]Putting Yourself in a Mood to Write - Cut out any distractions and shut your phone off to stay focused. Turn your phone on silent and keep it in your pocket, backpack, or an entirely different room. Close your windows if there are any distracting noises coming in from outside, take your writing tools or laptop to a quiet area, and stay off of social media to focus on what you're doing.[1]
- Some sounds may be helpful. White noise, calm music, or a spinning fan may be helpful for you if you tend to get a little antsy in complete silence.
- Read something else for 10-15 minutes to get in a writing mood. Pick up a book or you love or pull a poem or short story up online if you're writing at a coffee shop. Spend a few minutes reading a great writer's work to get yourself in a literary mood. Reading is an important part of developing strong writing skills and exposing yourself to interesting writing is a phenomenal way to prep yourself for a productive writing session.[2]
- Shorter pieces of writing and bits of novels you've read before are better for this than larger texts you aren't familiar with. If you get wrapped up in what you're reading, you may not get any writing done!
- Try turning on (or turning off) some music to find what works for you. Some people have an easier time writing if there's background music, while other people get stuck if they're listening to something. Try switching it up by either playing some music in the background or turning the music off to see if this helps.[3]
- If you do listen to music, don't choose music that you absolutely love or you may end up focusing on a song you love instead of your writing. Even if you're a metalhead or hardcore hip-hop fan, it's probably better to listen to some ambient, classical, or instrumental music.
- Sit quietly for a few minutes to see if something pops up. Try sitting in silence for 3-5 minutes. Relax your muscles, don't listen to anything, and try to stop actively thinking. Just let your mind wander. For a lot of writers, the urge to write strikes when you're slightly bored. Sitting quietly for a while can invite these random sparks of imagination or trigger you to start writing.[4]
- Write in a different location to give yourself a change of scenery. If you normally write in your office, try heading to a local coffee shop or park. If you normally write at a coffee shop or park, try writing at home. Switch up your scenery to put yourself in a new headspace. For some people, getting out of a routine by changing their setting is deeply helpful when it comes to getting in the mood to write.[5]
- You can also go to a museum, write while you're standing up at a counter, sit down on your front porch, or sit down at an outdoor café and write.
- Grab a cup of coffee or tea to get in the mood to write. Brewing a cup of coffee or tea is a great way to start on a positive note. Either make or buy yourself a cup and sit down with your warm drink to get ready to write. A small boost of caffeine is a great way to get your mind focused and put you in the mood for some composition.[6]
- If you're a little hungry, an apple or a yogurt will really help you feel better as you sit down to do some writing.
- Be careful about drinking coffee or tea when you're tired. The immediate boost may help you push through for 1-2 pages, but you're bound to crash after a short period of productivity.
[Edit]Finding Something to Write About - Carry a notebook and jot your ideas down as they come to you. Get a small, pocket-sized notebook and carry it with you wherever you go. Whenever you get an idea, think of a neat sentence or image, or come across a word that really intrigues you, open your notebook and write it down. You can also use this notebook to map stories out or develop character ideas. When it comes time to write, you'll have a plethora of notes and ideas to draw from.[7]
- You can use your phone to do this if you'd like, but you're more likely to actually make a habit out of this if you use old-school paper and pen since you're already used to pulling your phone out and may get distracted.
- Spend 10-15 minutes freewriting to spark your imagination. Open your word document or notebook and take a deep breath. Then, start writing. Just write whatever immediately comes to mind. You can write about your day, how you're feeling, or something that's been on your mind lately. Tell a random story or write about how frustrating writer's block is. It doesn't really matter—the aim here is to get into the mechanical act of writing to jumpstart the muscles in your mind that make writing easier.[8]
- For some people, freewriting isn't particularly helpful. If this doesn't spark an idea, don't worry about it. Some people get kind of cagey when they don't have time to think about what they're writing ahead of time.
- Use a writing prompt to give yourself something to write about. Go online and pull up a list of writing prompts. Pick one that speaks to you and use it to jumpstart a new writing project. Even if you don't intend to publish, edit, or finish the exercise, the act of pursuing a new idea will help you get back into the right headspace.[9]
- Force your way through the block to see if it dissipates. Sometimes, you can just fight through the writer's block by forcing yourself to write. Write a sentence out in your mind, then force your fingers to type or write the words you're imagining. Eventually, you'll find yourself forgetting about the writer's block and just end up focusing on the words as you type or write them. This can be kind of hard to do if you're writing creatively, but it will occasionally help you get on the right track.[10]
- If you're just sitting there dreading the prospect of writing a paper, just come with a first sentence—even if it isn't good. Write this first sentence out and then see if your fingers keep typing. If they don't, think through the second sentence.
- This is a particularly helpful if you're trying to complete a school assignment or you're writing for work or something like that.
- This isn't the right solution for everyone. If you can't force yourself to write things out, try another approach.
- Skip the grammar mistakes once you're in the zone and fix them later. Once you find yourself in the groove and you're writing fluidly, ignore any potential mistakes you may be making. Just focus on getting your thoughts and ideas down on paper. If you get hyper-fixated on writing perfectly, you're only going to slow yourself down. You can revise and edit at the end of the writing session or before you start the next day.[11]
- When you do proofread, read your work out loud to catch any mistakes. It's much easier to find problems with your writing if you can hear what your text sounds like out loud.
[Edit]Taking a Break - Do a little physical exercise to minimize stress and focus your mind. If you get stuck, take 10-15 minutes off to go take a jog, lift some weights, do some pushups, or get some yoga in. Doing something physical gets your whole body moving and helps you clear your mind by focusing on your body. When you go back to writing, you'll find it easier to "reset" yourself and start over like you were never struggling in the first place.[12]
- Taking a break is mandatory when you're writing for a long period of time to begin with, but you may need to take a break if you can't shake the writer's block at all. If you find yourself struggling to get started or get past the first page, it's time to take a break.
- Paint, draw, or engage in another creative activity to reset. It takes different creative approaches to paint, draw, sing, dance, and write. If it's hard to find the right words or you're struggling to come up with a great idea, do some other creative exercise for a while. Draw something, dance to some music, or pull out some modelling clay. This will help you realign your creative energy and it will make writing much easier.[13]
- If you don't think you're a particularly artistic person, don't worry about that. Just draw something—even if it's not great! The mere act of doing it is what's important here and nobody is judging your art.
- Go outside and take a walk to get some fresh air. Throw your shoes on, grab a coat if you need one, and just go for a walk. Take a solid 15-30 minutes to just stroll around your block, pass through a nearby park, or do some people-watching on a major street nearby. When you return, you may find it much easier to get some writing done.[14]
- This is a great excuse to take the dog for a walk or pick up a snack at your local corner store.
- Clean your home or office to improve the energy in your writing space. If your space is messy, it may be interfering with your focus. Take a few minutes to throw any trash out, rearrange your desk space, and pick any clothes up off of the ground. A clean desk makes for a clear mind![15]
- If your desk space is clean, do some laundry, clean the dishes, or sweep the floor. Do something to cleanse your home and you'll feel much better about getting some writing done.
[Edit]Developing a Routine - Spend at least 30 minutes writing every day to make it a habit. You'll discover that it's a lot harder to get stuck when you're writing if you do it every day. Like anything else, writing gets easier with practice. Set a goal for yourself to write for at least 30 minutes every day to get into the habit of putting words on the page.[16]
- If you're one of those writers that writes like 10 pages in one sitting and then doesn't write for a few weeks, stop! Binge-writing is hard to maintain and you're taking long breaks because you keep burning out. If you can develop a consistent writing routine, your output will improve dramatically.
- Write at the same time every day, even if you're unmotivated. Writing at the same time every day makes it easier to get into the headspace to write. If you know you're going to write at 8:00 PM every day, you'll be subconsciously prepared when it comes time to sit down and do it. This may be hard to do at first, but just force yourself to do it. If you stick with it, it'll eventually become easier to get your thoughts down on paper.[17]
- The general consensus is that it's much easier to write early in the morning. However, if you find a different time works better for you or you have a schedule that doesn't make it easy to write in the morning, pick another time.
- Don't be hard on yourself if you end up skipping a day. Things happen. Feel free to take a day off if you have something really important to do, you get held up at work, or someone needs your help. Try not to be too hard on yourself. If you put too much pressure on yourself to write every day, you're not going to look forward to actually doing it.[18]
- Just don't get in the habit of taking multiple days off in a row. The more consistent your writing schedule is, the less likely you'll be to run into writer's block.
- Create a reward for meeting your routine every 7 days or so. Set a short-term goal to write every day for 7-14 days. If you meet this goal, buy yourself something nice, treat yourself to an ice cream, or take a night off to play video games longer than you normally do. Whatever you choose, give yourself something small to look forward to in order to stay motivated and focused on your goal.[19]
- Allow yourself to write bad first drafts. The writing process takes some time and you can always go back and fix anything you aren't happy with.[20]
- Get a comfortable chair! If your back gets sore or you aren't comfortable when you're writing, you aren't going to stick with it.
[Edit]References |
| How to Repair Scratched Stainless Steel Posted: 21 Jan 2022 08:00 AM PST Stainless steel is an excellent choice for cookware, kitchen appliances, sinks, fixtures, and other items around the house and workplace. The material is durable, has an attractive modern look, and is great for resisting stains and other damage. However, stainless steel isn't bullet-proof, and it can get scratched. But whereas nicks, dents, and deep grooves will require part replacements or help from a professional, you can actually fix minor scratches on your own. [Edit]Buffing Light Scratches - Determine the direction of the grain. The most important part of repairing stainless steel is rubbing in the same direction as the grain. Look very closely at the steel and determine which direction the surface seems to be running in. This is the grain.
- Working against the grain can actually make the scratches worse. That's why it's so important to know the direction of the grain before you begin.
- The grain will generally run either from side to side (horizontally), or up and down (vertically).
- Choose a non-abrasive compound or cleaner. There are a few compounds and cleaners that can be used to fill and smooth very light and minor scratches on the surface of stainless steel. Products you can try include:[1]
- Bar Keeper's Friend
- Perfect-It Rubbing Compound
- Revere Stainless Steel and Copper Cleaner
- Whitening toothpaste
- Mix powdered compounds with water. Some compounds and cleaners come in a powdered form, and these must be made into a paste before you can apply them to the steel. Mix a tablespoon (14 g) of powder with a few drops of water. Stir to combine, and add a few more drops of water until you have a smooth paste.
- The consistency you're looking for is that of toothpaste.[2]
- Rub the compound into the scratch. Pour a few drops of cleaner onto a clean microfiber cloth. For the paste, spoon about a quarter of the paste onto a cloth. Working in the same direction as the metal's grain, rub the compound gently into the scratch. Because the compound isn't abrasive, you can rub back and forth over the scratch.
- Continue rubbing, adding more compound as needed, until the scratch has been buffed away.[3]
- Wipe off excess compound. Soak a clean microfiber cloth with water. Wring out all the excess so the cloth is barely damp. Wipe the surface of the steel with the cloth to remove excess compound and shine the surface.[4]
- Dry and examine the surface. Wipe the surface with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any leftover dampness. Examine the surface of the stainless steel to assess whether the treatment was effective.
- Repeat the buffing process again if the scratch improved but is still slightly visible.
- If the scratch is still quite visible, you may have to take more drastic steps, such as sanding the entire surface.
[Edit]Sanding Down Deeper Scratches - Choose a sanding product. Slightly deeper scratches on the surface of stainless steel will require more work than light and fine scratches. You have three basic sanding products you can choose from, and they include:
- Course (maroon) and fine (gray) scouring pads[5]
- 400- and 600-grit sandpaper
- Scratch removal kit[6]
- Wet the sanding product. Scratch removal kits come with a lubricant or polishing compound. Apply a few drops of this to the coarsest pad.[7] For sandpaper, soak the 400-grit sandpaper in a bowl full of water for a few minutes. For scouring pads, use a spray bottle filled with water and apply a few spritzes of water to the surface of the pad.[8]
- The liquid or compound acts as a lubricant, and helps the sanding product move over the surface of the metal.
- Rub the surface with the coarser pad or paper. Following the grain of the metal, rub the sanding product over the surface of the stainless steel in a single direction. Apply gentle but even pressure to the sandpaper or scour pad. Use long, even strokes.[9]
- It's important to work in a single direction because rubbing back and forth over the surface can create small abrasions on the metal.
- To ensure you're applying even pressure, wrap the pad or sandpaper around a wooden block before you begin.
- To find the grain, look closely at the metal and see if the surface is running horizontally or vertically. This is the grain of the metal.
- Sand the entire surface. Rub the entire surface of the stainless steel in this way. You can't just sand the scratched area, or the sanded section will look visibly different from the rest of the metal. The sanding process is actually re-surfacing the metal, so you have to sand it all.[10]
- Continue sanding until the scratch has been sanded down and is mostly gone.
- Depending on the size of the area you're sanding, this could take 15 minutes or more.
- Repeat the sanding process with the finer pad or paper. When you finish sanding with the coarser pad, switch to the finer one. Apply polishing compound, soak the 600-grit sandpaper, or apply water to the gray scouring pad. Sand the entire surface using long, even strokes and gentle, even pressure.[11]
- Continue sanding until the scratch has disappeared.
[Edit]Cleaning and Polishing the Steel - Wipe the surface to remove dust. With a clean microfiber cloth, wipe down the surface that you just sanded. This will remove sanding and metal dust, as well as leftover polishing compound or water.[12]
- Even when you're cleaning, it's important to rub and buff in the direction of the grain. Look closely at the metal to determine what direction the surfaces runs in, and make sure you rub and clean in that same direction.
- Clean the entire surface with vinegar. Transfer some vinegar to a spray bottle. Spray the surface of the metal with several sprays of vinegar. Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the metal.
- The vinegar will clean the surface of the metal and remove all traces of other compounds and cleaners.
- Do not use bleach, oven cleaner, abrasive cleaners, or abrasive pads when cleaning stainless steel.[13]
- Polish the steel. When the stainless steel is clean and dry, apply a few drops of oil to a clean microfiber cloth. You can use mineral oil, vegetable oil, or even olive oil. Rub the cloth against the steel, in the direction of the grain, to polish the metal.[14]
- Add more oil as necessary. Continue rubbing until the entire surface has been polished.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Non-abrasive compound
- Water
- Microfiber cloths
- Sandpaper
- Abrasive pads
- Spray bottle
- Vinegar
- Oil
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Caramel Sauce Posted: 21 Jan 2022 12:00 AM PST Have you ever gone for a tasty bowl of vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce, only to discover that your teenager ate the last of the caramel sauce...on a hamburger? Kids will eat anything, but take heart: making your own caramel sauce from scratch is a lot easier—and a lot tastier than you might think. Even better, it takes practically no time at all. All you need is some sugar, butter, and cream to make your own caramel sauce at home! [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Wet Caramel - 1 1/4 cup (300 ml) sugar
- 4 oz. (112 g) butter
- 3/4 cup (175 ml) cream, room-temperature or warmed
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water (wet method only)
[Edit]Cream Based Caramel Sauce Makes approximately 2.5 cups: - 100g unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
[Edit]Dry Caramel Preparation - Gather your ingredients. The cream and the butter should be measured out, sitting next to the pan and ready to be added. Making caramel sauce is a fast process; if you are wasting time looking for ingredients when your sugar is burning, you're not going to end up with caramel sauce you'll want to eat.
- Combine the butter and sugar. On medium-low heat, add the butter and sugar to a heavy-bottomed, 2- or 3-quart saucepan.
- Do not stir the sugar and butter as it dissolves. If you need to, swirl the mixture gently to combine the ingredients, but not much. You want the caramelization to start from the bottom and let it work its way up.
- Heat the mixture. Leave the sugar and butter mixture on medium-low for 5 to 8 minutes. Keep an eye on the caramel sauce. Swirl the mixture if necessary to prevent burning, but do not stir.
- If you find that you end up burning some of the sugar before the rest of it is melted, the next time you attempt your caramel sauce, add a half cup of water to the sugar at the beginning of the process. This is called a "wet" caramel sauce. (See below.)
- The wet caramel sauce recipe will help the sugar to cook more evenly, although it will take longer to cook—the water will need to evaporate before the sugar will begin to caramelize.
- Check the color. After 5 to 8 minutes, the mixture should turn a light brown. You should still see small bunches of sugar crystals which have not yet crystallized.
- If sugar crystals start forming on the sides of the pan, use a brush to wipe them back down into the mixture.
- Keep the sauce on medium-low. Continue cooking until the remaining crystals caramelize and bubbles start to form. The color should be deep auburn. This could take two minutes, or it could take another five.
- This is the time to really guard against burning. You don't want to leave the sauce unattended at this point.
- If you're worried about the sauce burning, you can turn the heat down to low. It's better to take a little longer cooking than to hurry the process and burn the caramel.
- Keep resisting the urge to stir. Swirl if you need to, but don't stir yet!
- Remove the pan from the burner. After all the sugar crystals have caramelized, take the pot off the burner, and mix in the cream a little at a time. Now is the time when you can finally use a whisk to stir.
- Mix in the cream in small batches and stir vigorously. The mixture will foam up and grow in volume.
- As you mix in the rest of the cream, the sauce will turn a darker color. The sauce will keep on bubbling as the cream gets incorporated into the sugar and butter.
- Strain the mixture. Pour the caramel into a heat-resistant bowl or jar, through a strainer. Any uncaramelized crystals left will not make it into the final mixture.
- Let the sauce sit to cool to room temperature. Except, of course, the caramel that you put on your ice cream!
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Warm it up before serving.
[Edit]Wet Caramel Preparation - Gather your ingredients. The cream and the butter should be measured out, sitting next to the pan and ready to be added. Making caramel sauce is a fast process; if you are wasting time looking for ingredients when your sugar is burning, you're not going to end up with caramel sauce you'll want to eat.
- In a 2- to 3-quart saucepan, combine sugar and water. Turn heat on high and wait for mixture to start boiling, stirring constantly.[1]
- When the mixture comes to a boil, turn the heat down to medium-low, and stop stirring completely.
- Allow mixture to boil undisturbed until it turns a deep amber. It should look like the color of dark beer.
- Remove the sauce from the heat. Mix in the butter into the sauce, then slowly and carefully pour the cream into the caramel, stirring regularly. Careful: the sauce will bubble up furiously![2]
- Scrape the thick parts that settle on the bottom. If lumps develop, put the pan on the heat again, and stir until the lumps dissolve.
- Get it to a nice, viscous consistency. The mixture should be uniform after cooling slightly and stirring.
- Strain into a heat-resistant bowl or jar and wait until caramel sauce is cool enough to serve.
[Edit]Cream Based Caramel Sauce - Place the butter into a heavy-based saucepan. Heat gently (low heat).[3]
- Add the sugar and cream. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves.[4]
- Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes over low heat. Stir constantly; this prevents the sugar from crystallizing.
- Remove once the sauce has just thickened.
- Add the vanilla extract. Stir through.
- Serve. This sauce can be used warm or cold.
- If you need to store, this sauce will keep for up to 7 days if covered and refrigerated.
- Wait until all of the sugar is melted, then add the butter straight away.[5] Alternatively, let it brown just 10-15 seconds after all sugar has melted to intensify the flavor.
- Caramel sauce also works great on fruits. Combine grilled peaches or pears with caramel sauce, or pack a little extra caramel into bananas foster.
- Caramel sauce, once cooled, makes a great addition to vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
- Add 1 tablespoon or so of cocoa powder if you like chocolate. This also decreases the taste of burn if you have slightly burnt it.
- Dip or spread the caramel sauce on apples. Decorate them, and let them cool in the fridge for candied apples.
- Occasionally, if your cream is very cold, it will cause the caramelized sugar to seize up. To prevent this, you may wish to heat the cream up beforehand.
- If you have no cream, milk will work although the caramel sauce will be much runnier.
- Although the caramel sauce will be runnier when warm, if you find that yours is too thick, add some more cream during the cooking process.
- Whisk in a touch (about half a tablespoon) of vanilla after the cream for flavor. You could also add flavoring oils for variety. Raspberry, lemon, and orange, for example, are tasty in the right recipe.
[Edit]Warnings - Be extra careful whilst you are cooking the sugar: once the sugar has melted, it has a much higher temperature than boiling water—and it's very sticky.
- Use pot holders when handling the jar filled with hot caramel sauce, as it will burn you.
- Be sure to pour the hot caramel sauce into a thick Pyrex glass or jar. Do not use a normal glass jar or one that has not been made for temperature changes, as the high temperature of the caramel sauce would likely crack it.
[Edit]Related wikiHows
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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