Healthy Tasty Chowcleaner recipes, reviews, toddler mom stuff and food chatter

Recently, I had an amazing chocolate covered almond caramel that left me craving more; which I then of course proceeded to make much healthier.  Honey gets a bad rap due to its high glycemic index- but lately I keep reading about all the excellent health benefits of honey.  I’ve read it all before but after the umteenth time, I started to crave honey again.  After playing around in my head making these caramels with agave nectar, I decided to stick with the honey.  Since I was craving the honey taste, this worked out quite well!  There is a underlying honey flavor but the creaminess of the coconut comes out as well.  The almond provides a nice crunch while the semi-sweet chocolate balances out the super-sweetness of the honey.  I would still like to make some caramels with agave or something else soon- since not everybody likes the strong flavor of honey.   

My mom enjoyed these even though she doesn’t like honey.  My mother-in-law thought they were good but the honey flavor was strong (she’s a Brach’s caramel eater and prefers to keep the honey out of things!).  My son likes them and my other taste testers approved so I think we’re safe serving to the masses…that like honey!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup coconut cream concentrate (I used Tropical Traditions)
• 3/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Method:

• Over medium-high heat in a saucepan, heat honey, cream, coconut cream concentrate, vanilla and salt.
• Stir constantly using a whisk - mixture will bubble - you want it to bubble lightly - continue to stir until mixture reaches about 260 degrees
• Turn off heat and stir in almonds and coconut
• Grease 8×8 pan - pour in caramel mixture and allow to cool or put in refrigerator to cool faster
• Once cool, cut into desired shape and size and place on wax paper - melt chocolate and brush on top of caramels - allow chocolate to harden and they’re ready to eat!