Jamaican burnt sugar adds a strong depth of flavor when added to sweeten desserts like a creme caramel instead of ordinary sugar. It's a crucial ingredient for the frosting of a West Indian Black Cake. Buy it from Caribbean Market at 7505 New Hampshire Ave, Langley Park, 301 439 5288.

I've made it myself, just dampening brown sugar with a teaspoon of water and caramelizing it just as you would for a white sugar caramel over a medium flame, shaking the pan regularly to knock the sugar crystals into the melting caramel. Cook until dark.

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