Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

The Undomestic Goddess? #DessertMoments

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Is it possible to leave a corporate job, stay at home to raise two boys… and become undomestic?

Because that’s exactly how I’ve felt for the past few years. Until recently, the days leading up to Christmas were crammed with eggnog swinging, tree-trimming and of course, holiday baking. Yes, my kitchen was my bakery: with cakes, cookies and confections galore, I’d stay up well past midnight waiting for the shortbread to cool or the icing sugar to set. It was my thing – friends knew that once the holidays came ’round, Lena would be baking up a storm.

And you’d think that being at home, with little children (who love the aforementioned cakes, cookies and confections), I’d increase my baking efforts – right?

Sadly, no. Since the boys were born, I’ve found myself making less and less time to enjoy holiday baking. To tell the truth, I didn’t bake at all last year – opting instead for a few store-bought goodies that worked in a pinch, but could never compare to a homemade treat.

So when Kraft Canada contacted me about doing a fun, festive photo shoot to capture some wonderful Holiday #DessertMoments, I couldn’t say no. And it wasn’t because I was looking forward to having a professional photographer take beautiful pictures of my handiwork (though that was an awesome fringe benefit) – it was so I would be guaranteed to turn out some holiday goodies this year!

And so without further ado, I’d love to share Kraft Canada’s recipe for Salted Chocolate Covered Caramels… made by yours truly!

(The photographer, Teddy Chau, is a creative genius. Look for drool-worthy pictures of the candy – plus a few fabulous shots of moi. You didn’t really think I’d let the food be the star of the show, did you?)

What You Need:

1 pkg. (269 g) Kraft Caramels
5 squares Baker’s Premium 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate, melted
1 Tbsp. sea salt
toothpicks for handling the Caramels

(That’s all folks! Just 3 ingredients and a waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Anyone can make this recipe – and since there’s no baking involved, it’s a great one to do with the kiddos.)

What You Need to Do:

INSERT toothpick into 1 caramel; dip in chocolate. Shake gently to remove excess chocolate. Place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Remove toothpick. Repeat with remaining caramels.

SPRINKLE immediately with salt. Let stand until chocolate is firm. To firm up the melted chocolate more quickly, refrigerate until firm. (Though you’ll have to bring the chocolates to room temperature before you can enjoy them – they’re way too hard otherwise, ouch!)

The Salted Chocolate Covered Caramels make a deliciously fabulous gift; simply add a handful to a clean and sterilized mason jar and finish with a festive ribbon!

When you’ve finished packaging the treats, make sure to pose for a fabulous picture (professional photographer optional). I’ve decided to leave my caramels for Santa this year, because I’m quite certain the salted caramel is a nice switch up from the other cookies he’ll surely receive. 

Et voila! A Christmas confection in a flash, thanks to the good folks at Kraft Canada. Looking for more inspiration? Visit their website to find hundreds of easy recipe ideas – everything from traditional favourites to no-bake wonders. As for me, I’ll be trying their Crunch Bars next – yum yum!

Click here to visit Kraft Canada.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Jenny

    Whoa! It needs to be said. I know you are promoting the caramels and everything but you are stunning Lena! You cannot take a bad picture!

  3. Tricha Fraser

    I was looking at your pictures more so than the treats. Lovely pics and nice idea to switch the usual Santa treats.

    • Lena

      Hi Angela! You could certainly use milk chocolate! Just keep in mind that the caramels are very sweet, so the dark chocolate cuts down on the sweetness a bit. But, try them with milk – you may love them!

  6. Teresa M.

    OMG! Lena, you are a goddess!! Love your pictures, your hair, your dress…your Christmas Tree is beyond anything I have seen Martha Stewart create.

  8. Janet W.

    I’m so jealous at how amazing you make everything look! Beautiful… and the dessert is delicious!

  9. Marissa

    You look gorgeous in all your pictures Lena and I love your hair! Its true – I’m looking more at your pictures than the caramels. Don’t get me wrong – I love caramels too so I’m definitely going to try to make this delicious treat that sounds so easy. Your Christmas Tree looks awesome too. What a great combination of ornaments! Thanks for sharing Lena.

    • Lena

      Thanks Marissa! I recently cut my hair and went back to blonde highlights, so I have to get used to the look! And I think you’ll love the caramels – they’re so delish!

  10. Kat E.

    Those look like great treats, and I’ve already bookmarked the recipe, but I must say it too – WOW! You’re totally stealing the Kraft caramels thunder! Beautiful! I love your new hair too, and your dress. I have to start wearing brighter colors in the winter ~ you’re inspiring!

    • Lena

      Thank you thank you thank you! YES – wear bright colours in the winter – they chase the blahs away! xoxo

  12. Sara

    I LOVE this! 3 ingredients and a waxed paper-covered baking sheet to have this amazing, delish dessert? For once in my lifetime, I feel I can manage things happening in the kitchen!!! So going to try it this holiday season :)

  14. Janice

    This looks manageable, even for me! I tried making my neighbours cookies tonight, but after making 100 of a so-so batch, I’m discouraged. What have taste tests been like?

    • Lena

      Taste tests have yielded two thumbs up Janice! Just go easy with the sea salt – I put a little too much in my first batch (pictured above), but that was because I really wanted it to show up on camera. I’d say just a scant sprinkle on each caramel. They’re delish!

  15. Nicole W.

    Great photos! Thanks for the recipe – so easy and the caramels sound delicious. Those little caramel squares are one of my husband’s favourite treats, and he loves the Lindt Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt bar, so this would be perfect!

    • Lena

      I think your husband would adore these! I too am a huge fan of Lindt Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt, so I knew these would be a hit! Enjoy!

  18. Carlee

    The recipe looks very easy and you are drop dead gorgeous. Great post! Will be trying these. Happy I read the comments because now I know about the salt trick. Thanks!

  20. Janice

    Thanks Lena! I’ve bought all the ingredients. I’m making these babies tonight. I just have to go to Michael’s and buy some mason jars on the way home!

  21. Janice

    I’m hopeless in the kitchen. Hopeless. Never melted chocolate before and it just wouldn’t stay melted. Was all clumpy and hopeless. My brother tried one of my caramels and said it needed more chocolate, and laughed at how funny they looked. I give up. I am really the undomesticated goddess. Mine look nothing like yours!!!

    • Lena

      Oh no :(

      Did you melt the chocolate in the microwave? Melting it at high power can sometimes scorch the chocolate and produce lumps. Maybe that one step threw the rest off for you… I know you’re not hopeless in the kitchen, it was probably just bad luck.

  26. Valerie Godin

    I know it has been said but I will say it again; the chocolate covered caramels look amazing and you are absolutely stunning!

  27. Lisa H

    This is a perfect kid friendly recipe for my 9 year old. I can envision a tray of dark, milk AND white chocolate covered morsels!

  32. Tammy Dalley

    Yum who doesn’t love caramel and chocolate, simple yet tasty I bet, Thanks for sharing!! Definitely pinning to make later!