Salted Caramel Butter Compound

• cup sugar↗1⁄4 cup
• tablespoons water↗3 tablespoons
• cup heavy cream↗1⁄4 cup
• tablespoons unsalted butter, softened↗8 tablespoons

  softened

• teaspoon fleur de sel, to taste (finishing sea salt)↗1⁄2 teaspoon

  to taste (finishing sea salt)

• teaspoon vanilla extract↗1⁄8 teaspoon

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Combine the sugar and water in a small, heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, brush down the sides of the pan with water and boil until caramelized, 5-6 minutes. The sugar will be fragrant and have a deep amber color when it is caramelized.

2. 2

   Remove the pan from the heat, slowly stir in the cream until smooth and let cool to room temperature.

3. 3

   Blend together the caramel, butter, salt and vanilla in a medium-size bowl.

4. 4

   This butter may be formed into a log and refrigerate until firm before slicing and serving.

5. 5

   How to Form into a Log: Transfer the flavored butter to a sheet of parchment paper, roll tightly into a 1 1/2-inch-thick log (a straight edge is helpful for forming an even log), and twist both ends of the parchment paper to seal. Slip the log into a paper towel tube if you want it to be perfectly round, and refrigerate until firm. To serve, cut slices of flavored butter with a warm knife (simply run hot water over the blade and then wipe it dry).