Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup water

6 tablespoons salted butter at room temperature

1/2 cup heavy cream at room temperature

1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

1 bag of chocolate chips

This recipe is super easy and super delicious. Making caramel my seem a little daunting, especially for a first time baker, but if you follow the recipe step by step, it's easy. These candies make a great gift, or just a treat for yourself.

Step 1: Making the Chocolate Shells

Melt 1/4 of the bag of chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 35-40 second bursts. Once the chocolate is mostly melted, stir it to melt the rest. Using a small spoon, scoop the chocolate into each cavity in a silicon chocolate mold. Use the back of the spoon to spread the chocolate around making sure to fill in any gaps. It may look messy now, but don't worry. This is also a good time to get out your heavy cream and butter, to let it come to room temperature. This will be important later.

Step 2: Starting to Cook the Caramel

Pour the sugar and water into a pot and give it a quick stir. Make sure there is still plenty of room in the pot because when you add the heavy cream, the mixture will bubble up, and you don't want to get burned. Before turning on the stove put a couple coasters, the butter, and the heavy cream next to your stove. You will need quick access to these later, so having them nearby will be helpful.

Step 3: Waiting..waiting...waiting

Turn on your stove, and begin heating up the sugar mixture. Keep the burner on medium high heat. DO NOT STIR. If you stir, the sugar will crystallize, and your caramel will have a grainy texture. Your caramel will slowly darken in color. This will probably take upwards of 10 minutes, but don't leave the stove unattended. Cook the mixture until it has reached a dark amber color.

Step 4: Finishing the Caramel

As soon as the caramel is done, take the pot off of the stove, and slowly pour in heavy cream as you whisk the mixture. Once all of the heavy cream is mixed in, stir in the butter. Finally add the vanilla, sea salt, and bourbon.(The mixture will be so hot that the alcohol evaporates). Give it a final stir, and allow it to cool. Once it cools, it will be thicker.

Step 5: Assembling the Chocolates

Spoon the caramel sauce into the chocolate shells that you made earlier. Then, melt some more chocolate, and spread that over top of the caramels. Allow the chocolate to set, then pop them out of the molds.

Step 6: Enjoy!

Voila, you've made beautiful bonbons. I drizzled some extra caramel sauce over the top and added some sea salt flakes, but that is optional. Enjoy your candies, and impress your friends by making some for them.