Poke your finger: place a small amount of caramel, not too hot, between your thumb and index finger. Move your fingers away: it should form a string with little resistance.
Puddle of soft ball: drop a small amount of caramel into a small bowl with cold water. It's the right point when you get a ball that doesn't hold its shape.
Puddle of hard ball: do the same as for the soft ball. It's the right point when the ball holds its shape.
Poke your finger: place a small amount of caramel, not too hot, between your thumb and index finger. Move your fingers away: it should form a string with little resistance.
Puddle of soft ball: drop a small amount of caramel into a small bowl with cold water. It's the right point when you get a ball that doesn't hold its shape.
Puddle of hard ball: do the same as for the soft ball. It's the right point when the ball holds its shape.