To caramelize means bringing sugar to the state of caramel. This name also defines the operation that consists in coating a mold with caramel before pouring a preparation (cream or pudding) to be cooked in the oven (for example crème caramel). It is also possible to caramelize small cakes and pieces of fruit.

Caramelising also means cooking a preparation, sprinkled with brown sugar, under the oven's grill until it takes on a golden color; for example vegetables, such as onions or carrots, can be caramelized in a pan with sugar and a small amount of water or vinegar.