Caramel Without A Microwave

Our answer

Nigella's recipe for Roxanne's Millionaire's Shortbread (from HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS) includes an easy way to make the caramel layer by microwaving condensed milk, butter and sugar. However it is possible to make the caramel in a saucepan instead.

Put the butter and sugar into a saucepan, but use one that has fairly deep sides. Put the pan over a low heat and melt together the butter and sugar. Once the sugar has melted completely, stir in the condensed milk then turn up the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Turn the heat down and let the mixture bubble very gently until it has turned into caramel. This can take as little as a couple of minutes (depending on the size of the pan) so keep an eye on the pan at all times. The mixture will colour at the edges first, so swirl the pan frequently, or stir carefully, to prevent the mixture from from burning. As soon as the mixture reaches a light golden brown colour and has thickened slightly remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for a minute before carefully pouring over the shortbread base.