Cheats caramel coffee syrup

So this morning I decided to at last try to make some caramel coffee syrup. I really needed a coffee and I was out. Perfect synergy I thought. Then my computer went into meltdown far half an hour and I couldn't find any of the recipes I had previously located that were quick and simple.

Then I decided to look on my phone instead and I still didn't find the original ideas.

I was lucky and found a simpler recipe that added caramel syrup. I don't even know the difference between caramel syrup and caramel coffee syrup so that was out. What I did have was some caramel ice-cream topping left over from our annual Christmas party Make-Your-Own Sundae bar. (Why do I even bother to buy caramel and strawberry topping every year when only one kid ever uses them and all the others go straight for the chocolate? Someone remind me next year. Anyway...)

So while I still plan to make a proper version here is my cheats recipe. I don't think it tastes as good but it cost me a cup of sugar and some left over topping that would have been tossed so with that in mind it is not a bad cheat.

I have a espresso machine so I added it to my cappuccino and it was fine. It wasn't life altering but it was fine. I'll make the real deal later in the week and compare. The real deal uses vanilla beans and so will be certainly more expensive per serve but that's fine with me if it delivers.

Cheats Caramel Coffee Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1/4 cup caramel topping

1. Combine sugar and water in a small sauce-pan and stir constantly over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.

2. Carefully (don't splash yourself) add topping and stir until combined. Cool and add to coffee.

Enjoy!

Some recipes I would like to try...

Nothing too exciting happening here in the kitchen today. I have a piece of beef in the crockpot for dinner because I'm feeling lazy and low on iron. I'll make a sweet potato crumble to have with it later.

I was just surfing the net thinking about some recipes I have had on my "must try" list for a while.

For well over a year I have been planning to make gozlemes. I'm not sure why I put of making them. I think perhaps it is the thought of rolling that dough out so thin, but really they are cheap and easy and oh so yummy so I really must get onto this. I'm sure my daughter would enjoy helping with these and I stumbled upon a recipe in a magazine today so it must be a sign from the universe.

Similarly I have wanted to try pannacotta. I keep thinking I will do it when we have friends over and in the end I go for something tried and true, or something easier instead.

Ricotta gnocchi is also on the list. These always look so light and deliscious. They are not hard but I seem to buy the ricotta and end up using it in some other recipe. Another one I really shouldn't put off.

This week I am also definitely planning to make some caramel syrup for coffees. I did make some pumpkin spice latte syrup a couple of years back so I know it's not hard. Santa gave me some caramel syrup for Christmas so I think as the little bottle will be empty in a day or so I will make my own to refill it. I do try and drink coffee at home. I like to add the $4 a coffee out would have cost me to my savings jar. It makes me feel virtuous even though I am anything but most of the time.

I'll post the recipes and pictures for these things and the many many others on my list when I make them. I better go turn some withering berries into muffins for tomorrow's picnic now.