I have a confession. I struggle with an addiction. That’s right, I cannot control myself when confronted with caramel corn (hanging head in shame). Especially when it is the best I have ever bought – the caramel corn from Artisan Candies!
It all started a few months ago when Kristin, the owner of Artisan Candies commented on one of my posts. She had had tremendous success selling her soft caramels, but was struggling with creating a technique for making caramel corn that would consistently produce excellent results. I gave her some ideas on what might have been happening with crystallization issues and after exchanging a few emails, she wrote to tell me she had figured it out! I was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to try her caramel corn.
Kristen graciously sent me samples of her caramel corn flavors, Salted Caramel Corn, Pecan Rum Caramel Corn, Chocolate Caramel Corn, Java Almond Caramel Corn, and Bacon Rum Pecan Caramel Corn. Oh my heavens, these are SO good! I’m not sure which is my favorite, but maybe the bacon version … after all, isn’t everything better with bacon?!
Kristen began her career by making caramels for her friends and family as holiday gifts. In 2005 she decided to begin her business and immediately received overwhelming praise. Her products have been featured on Martha Stewart Weddings, Rachael Ray, San Francisco’s “View From the Bay”, and at NASFT Fancy Foods Shows.
And I have to apologize that I only have photos of the Salted Caramel Corn because I ALREADY ATE THE REST! Yep, I couldn’t help myself. By the time I realized that I wanted to photograph the beautiful packages, they were all empty, LOL! You will just have to go to Artisan Candies’ website to see (and buy) them for yourself. 😉
Kristen is a woman after my own heart. She believes in using high-quality ingredients in all of her candies and it really shows in the flavors. There are no preservatives or other hard to pronounce ingredients in her candies. The caramel corn ingredients are simple, just corn, brown sugar, white sugar, corn syrup, butter, baking soda, and salt.
In addition to the caramel corn, Kristen and her husband Dean also make and sell a wide variety of handcrafted, gourmet goodies including fudge, Rocky Road, toffee, Turtles, pralines, nut brittles, marshmallows and soft caramels. Any of these would make fantastic holiday gifts. Buy a case and take individual bags as hostess gifts to all or your holiday parties, or attach name tags and use them as darling place tags on your Thanksgiving table!
Their shop is in San Jose (4432 Pearl Ave) and I can’t wait until I can visit and try even more of their wonderful products. If you live in the Bay Area you can buy their products at these locations as well as online. If you suffer from the same addiction as I do, run, don’t walk to your computer and order some of Kristen’s amazing sweets. You won’t be disappointed!!
Gluten-Free Tips:
The caramel corn products from Artisan Candies do not contain any wheat or gluten ingredients. For your own safety, always read the label to make sure foods are safe for you to consume.
Disclosure: I received free product samples for review. I was not compensated for this post and as always, the opinions stated are my own.
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Thank You!
thyme (sarah)
That caramel corn does look addicting. I understand…anyone could get hooked! At Xmas, my FIL always comes with a huge tin of popcorn. For some reason, they are all over So. Missouri (where he lives) but I search Houston and there aren’t as many here! A niche market for your friend…come down here…