To all chefs out therer. How do you make suger baskets?!
To all chefs out therer. How do you make suger baskets?
Answers:
I am assuming that by basket you mean something that looks like a birds nest.
Start with about 2 cups of granulated sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small pot over medium heat. (you can use more or less water, we're evaporating most of it away, it is a means to control the temp). As it heat, the sugar will dissolve/melt into the water, and the water will slowly evaporate. Do not shake the pan or stir, as it may cause crystalization and grainy carmel. You might want to brush the sides of the pan occasionally with a brush and water to clean any sugar that forms.
When you are just a little lighter than amber, remove pan from heat. Take a bowl the size of the basket you want and grease the outside (pan spray). Take a spoon of caramel, and shake it over the bowl, causing strings of caramel to cover the bowl. Go back and forth, left and right, all over until it is well "woven". It will quickly cool and you can remove it, and make another.
Just one thing to keep in mind - be careful of the humidity where you are. A Florida summer is not the time or place to make these, as the moisture will soften the basket.
Dampen granulated sugar w/ warm water, just until it can be pressed together, press into a mold, scoop out excess, let it dry 2-3 days, then pop out of mold and decorate w/ Royal Icing. Same way w/ Sugar Easter Eggs or Sugar Pumpkins. You can also tint the water to make a colored sugar.
Try this link from the BBC on how to spin sugar ...
http://uktv.co.uk/index.cfm/uktv/food.re...
Good luck! Kay