Everyone likes to receive a gift. Sometimes the best gift is when it’s totally unexpected. Maybe you want to thank your neighbor for always bringing your mail in when you’re out-of-town. Perhaps you’ve gotten to know your UPS man so well, you know his first name (you know who you are) and want to thank him for always leaving your packages in that right discreet hidden spot instead of leaving that annoying ticket. There can be a myriad of reasons why you want to show a little sugar love. Here’s an idea-bring a batch of these to your kids next swim meet-whip them out and start making new friends. Enjoy.

Fleur de Sel Caramels

recipe: Ina Garten

(yield: 64 pieces)

1  1/2 Cups sugar

1/4 Cup water

1/4 Cup light corn syrup

5 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1 Cup heavy cream

1 tsp. Fleur de sel (kosher salt would also do)+ more for sprinkling

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Prepare an 8 inch square pan by lining it with parchment paper (both sides) so that the paper hangs over the sides by two inches, and lightly brushing it with vegetable oil. In a 2 cup glass measuring cup heat the cream until hot. Stir in the butter and salt and set aside. Have a candy thermometer available.

In a heavy 2 quart saucepan place the sugar, water, and corn syrup and bring to a boil over medium high heat. DO NOT STIR, but swirl the pan occasionally as necessary to maintain even heat distribution. Boil until the syrup mixture is golden brown. Remove from the heat and carefully add the cream mixture (be careful as it will bubble up and spit) stir with a heat proof spatula or wooden spoon and return to the heat and bring back to a boil using a candy thermometer until the mixture reaches hard ball stage. When the mixture reaches hard ball (248° degrees F) add in the vanilla, stir and pour into prepared pan. Allow the pan to cool in the refrigerator until set. Cut into one inch squares and sprinkle with additional salt. Wrap in 4×4 inch squares of wax paper and twist the ends. Store in a cool place.