5 Easy Caramel Hacks To Instantly Elevate Your Holiday Baking

It’s that time of the year when all the best things in life come together: loved ones, laughter, sweet sentiments, indulgent feasts and—the fan favourite—delectable treats. After all, is it even the holidays if you haven’t enjoyed a homemade Christmas cookie? 

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or participating in your first Christmas cookie swap, there’s one ingredient that will take your baked goods to the next level: Werther’s Original Chewy Caramels. They’re one of the easiest ingredients to work with and will shift your holiday cookies from delightful to unforgettable.

These caramels save you the time and stress of making your own from scratch. Check out these five handy tips that make Werther’s perfect for baking.

1. Chop for sweet, chewy bites

Swap out the chocolate chips for chopped Werther’s Chewy Caramels for their creamy texture and deep caramel flavour. Adding caramel pieces to a fudgy chocolate cookie recipe is a tasty twist on the classic cookie.

To make sure the caramels won’t slip while slicing, let them soften to room temperature and use a serrated knife to chop through them. Or grease the knife using olive oil or butter before you use it to prevent resistance.

2. Create a dreamy caramel filling

A dream ingredient for confectioners, cooks and bakers, Werther’s Original caramels are decadently sweet and buttery. They pair well with salt and vanilla, fruit and chocolate, and shine in creamy, cheesy desserts but also with flaky pastry. 

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, gently melt the caramels with heavy cream. Whisk the mixture until melted, blended and smooth, about three to five minutes, and let it cool slightly before using. Use this rich, velvety filling for thumbprints or sandwich cookies (we recommend these Caramel Sandwich Cookies).

3. Freeze for fluffier cookies

Adding soft caramels to a cookie recipe makes for perfectly pillowy, melt-in-your-mouth bites. But it’s important to know that caramel melts faster than dough and can result in flat, unfluffy cookies. Freeze the caramels, or the entire batch of dough, before baking to help maintain the structure and give you that perfect soft-chewy bite.

4. Finish with a caramel garnish

Whether you want to add decorative caramel swirls or an enticing drizzle, keeping Werther’s Original Chewy Caramels in your baking arsenal is perfect for elevating your dessert. 

Create an easy caramel sauce by combining the Chewy Caramels and water in a microwave-safe bowl, microwaving in 30-second increments, stirring between each increment. Continue until the caramels begin to melt (about 60 to 90 seconds). Slowly add cream until the consistency is smooth. Now you’re ready to add a gourmet flourish to cookies, cakes, crumbles or even apple slices.

5. Get creative

From swirling into cheesecakes to pairing with spices, Werther’s Chewy Caramels are endlessly versatile. 

As your cheesecake sets, be it New York style or Basque, try adding a swirl of caramel into the batter—it adds a richness and a show-stopping streak when you slice into it. Be sure to add the caramel in small amounts, swirling it through the mix with a skewer.

Caramel also shines alongside ginger, a quintessential holiday flavour. We love Werther’s Original Chewy Caramels as a fluffy buttercream sauce in these Salted Caramel Ginger Cream Cookies.

Whatever your baking plans entail, Werther’s Original Chewy Caramels are perfect for elevating your favourite sweet treat. Find more recipes on the Werther’s Original website and make new memories baking this holiday season.