Homemade Treacle recipe | Dark Caramel Syrup
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Homemade Treacle recipe | Dark Caramel Syrup | How to make Treacle at Home | Make at Home Dark Caramel Syrup with step by step instructions and video
Homemade Treacle recipe | Dark Caramel Syrup is an indispensable ingredient for baking Christmas delights like gingerbread cookies, gingersnap cookies, caramel cakes and puddings, as well as for other occasions. Now you can make small batches of treacle at home without worrying about having left over quantities from market bought treacle. It is pocket – friendly too!
Why should you make Dark Caramel Syrup
- Can make in small batches
- Cost effective
What is Treacle
Treacle is an uncrystallized syrup made during the refining of sugar. It is the by product of sugar refining process. During the process, sugar cane is crushed and boiled a number of times to grow sugar crystals. In the process, when boiling is done a multiple times, this create syrups. Treacle is a liquid sweetener that is a dark brown syrup of heavily caramelized cane sugar.
Common forms of treacle
Light treacle is the product of the first boiling after obtaining the raw sugar crystals. Light treacle – This is lighter in color with mild flavor. Also referred to as light molasses. Equivalnet of light treacle is honey, light corn syrup or standard molasses. Source: Marthstewart
Golden syrup -light or amber colored treacle
Dark treacle is between black and golden syrup.
Black treacle is made from subsequent boilings and has the least sugar crystals and is sticky and thick. It is akin to American molasses or blackstrap molasses. Black treacle has a distinctively strong and slightly bitter flavor and a richer colour than golden syrup
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Ingredients
For Measurements refer to the RECIPE CARD further below.
Sugar – Granulated white sugar
Water – water at room temperature and some hot water required.
Lime juice – important to prevent crystallization of sugar.
How To Make Treacle at Home
Firstly, In a heavy based saucepan, add 1/2 cup sugar and 1/8 cup water. Let it come to a gentle boil. Do not stir.
Let the sugar melt. When bubbles appear, just swirl the saucepan.
Cook the mixture on low heat. You will see that color starts to change.
The color of sugar gradually the color changes from white to light brown to a darker shade. Swirl the pan intermittently.
The mixture will froth and large bubbles will appear. Color deepens to dark brown. Keep flame low. The sugar syrup turns dark brown and is smoky.
At this point, keeping yourself at a safe distance, pour ¼ cup boiling water. Be cautious the mixture can splatter.
Once boiling water is added, stir well.
Then add a cup of granulated white sugar. Mix till sugar dissolves.
Cook on low heat till the syrup thickens a bit. Now add the lime juice to prevent crystallization of sugar. Cook for 3-4 minutes till the syrup thickens a bit.
Check Test for Consistency of Caramel
Add a few drops of syrup to a bowl. On cooling the syrup should not be too runny. As it cools further it will be viscose like honey. It should feel quite thick and stringy between index finger and thumb. Treacle is now ready.
Turn off the flame. Let the caramel cool for a few minutes. While still hot, transfer to a clean dry container to cool down completely.
Secure the lid and store in a cool place away from sunlight.
How to store Treacle
Handle treacle with dry and clean spoons and hands. Moisture can lead to contamination.
Transfer treacle in an airtight container secured with a tight lid.
Store treacle at room temperature. Store treacle in a cool and dark place away from direct sunlight.
Over time, if treacle crystallizes, then just gently heat the treacle in a warm water bath to dissolve the crystals. Don’t overheat
Uses of Treacle
Treacle is used in baking to add a deep color and flavor and to add moisture. This dark caramel syrup find its uses in cakes such as plum cakes, muffins, Treacle toffee, in tarts for giving a undercurrent of dark color, treacle sponge pudding, toffee treacle cake sponge, gingerbread cookies and cakes, and bread..
Serve this cake with freshly brewed Coffee, Kadak Chai or Cardamom Caffe Latte.
FAQ
Difference between Treacle and Molasses
Though both may be substituted for each other , they do have subtle differences. Treacle is slightly sweeter and less bitter than molasses. Molasses is thicker and darker than treacle.
Recipe Card
Homemade Treacle recipe | Dark Caramel Syrup
Equipment
- Heavy Bottom Saucepan
- Spoon
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar granulated white sugar
- 1/8 cup water at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar granulated white sugar.
- 1/4 cup water hot
- ½ tbsp lime juice
Instructions
- Firstly, in a heavy based saucepan, add 1/2 cup sugar and 1/8 cup water. Let it come to a gentle boil. Do not stir. Let the sugar melt.
- When bubbles appear, just swirl the saucepan.
- Cook the mixture on low heat. You will see gradually the color changes from white to light brown to a darker shade. Swirl the pan intermittently.
- The mixture will froth, and large bubbles will appear. Color deepens to dark brown.
- Now keeping yourself at a safe distance, pour ¼ cup boiling water. Be cautious the mixture can splatter.
- Once boiling water is added, stir well.
- Then add a cup of granulated white sugar. Mix till sugar dissolves.
- Cook on low heat till the syrup thickens a bit. Now add the lime juice to prevent crystallization of sugar. Cook for 3-4 minutes till the syrup thickens a bit.
How to check consistency of Dark Caramel
- Add a few drops of syrup to a bowl. On cooling the syrup should not be too runny. As it cools further it will be viscose like honey. It should feel quite thick and stringy between index finger and thumb. Treacle is now ready.
- Turn off the flame. Let the caramel cool for a few minutes. While still hot, transfer to a clean dry container to cool down completely.
- Secure the lid and store in a cool place away from sunlight.
How to store Treacle
- Handle treacle with dry and clean spoons and hands. Moisture can lead to contamination.
- Transfer treacle in an airtight container secured with a tight lid.
- Store treacle at room temperature. Store treacle in a cool and dark place away from direct sunlight.
- Over time, if treacle crystallizes, then just gently heat the treacle in a warm water bath to dissolve the crystals. Don’t overheat.
Video
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