I tried to make a caramel by boiling sugar and water. What I got was
just boiled sugar and water. A clear solution that never turned
brown.

Then, I mixed 1/2 stick butter with the sugar with some water, and
got...caramel.

However, in looking up other recipes calling for caramel, it's stated
to just boil sugar and water.

Thus, my question is, can you get caramel just from boiling sugar and
water?

Thanks, Gary