It's Valentine's Day again, and could caramel be the new chocolate? Only if you say it is, schmoopie. Regardless, we'll wager that even thinking so deeply about such things will earn you some serious style points. (And you know what that means.)
Fortunately some pretty good caramels are being made locally. The Caramel House makes nothing but: soft caramels, pure caramels, caramels made-by-hand and only when you order them. That's part of the secret, according to owner Janet Shulman. The other is pure ingredients, like vanilla sourced from locally-owned Lochhead, "the vanilla specialists," (which is about as local as Madagascar vanilla can get). And when Shulman says her caramels are so rich that "your taste buds will not be searching for more flavor," like in lesser products, she speaks the truth. That buttery, brownsugary taste lingers after a single piece.
Six flavors are available, from delicate to daring: Vanilla, Coffee, Almond, Coconut, Bacon, and Beer & Pretzel (made with Schlafly Stout and Gus' Pretzels).
These caramels are only available at The Woman's Exchange (in small packages) or via the website. Remember, though, that The Caramel House is a small, one-woman show. So if you miss out for this occasion, order early for the next...like maybe stash a little something special in the ol' Easter Basket. Move over, Peeps...
