Description
Rich, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth homemade caramels that are soft, chewy, and perfect for gifting or enjoying as a sweet treat. So much better than store-bought!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and a splash of water. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Add the butter, heavy cream, and sweetened condensed milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly.
- Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the caramel reaches 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer (firm ball stage).
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the hot caramel into the prepared pan and let it sit at room temperature until fully set, about 2-4 hours.
- Once firm, lift the caramel out using the parchment paper and cut into small squares. Sprinkle with sea salt if desired. Wrap individual caramels in wax paper to prevent sticking.
Notes
- Dip the caramels in melted chocolate for a decadent twist.
- Add a pinch of flaky sea salt on top for classic salted caramels.
- Stir in chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for a nutty version.
- Add a splash of bourbon or espresso for a gourmet flavor boost.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 caramel
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 10mg