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Home » My Latest Recipes

Easy Homemade Caramels Recipe

Apr 3, 2023 · 9 Comments

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This simple homemade caramels recipe produces chewy, buttery candies. Sea salt and vanilla bean add taste to this much-loved candy recipe. Often synonymous with the holidays - these little goodies made a great addition to your holiday cookie baskets.

homemade caramels for dessertswithstephanie.com

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Jump to:
  • Equipment
  • Ingredients
  • Caramel Making Process
  • FAQs
  • 📋 Recipe

Equipment

Before embarking on this caramels recipe I recommend gathering all of your equipment. You don't want to be searching for anything when the caramel begins to reach its final temperature. You will need the following equipment:

  • Heavy-bottomed medium-sized saucepan
  • Candy thermometer: use a high-quality thermometer with a pot clip
  • Heat-proof spatula
  • Wax paper: for wrapping the candies
  • 8" x 8" square cake pan: this will be used to cool and set the caramels.
  • Parchment paper: for lining your cake pan. This will make removal of the caramel a breeze! Cut the parchment to fit into the pan with enough paper overhanging to easily pull out the caramels.
How to line a baking pan

Ingredients

You don't need many ingredients to make these yummy caramel treats:

  • Granulated sugar
  • Unsalted butter
  • Light corn syrup
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Flaky sea salt (optional)
  • Vanilla bean paste (optional)
ingredients to make homemade caramel candies

Caramel Making Process

Please use the utmost caution when making this caramel candies recipe. The hot syrup can cause severe burns if it comes in contact with your skin.

Place the granulated sugar, butter and corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed sauce pan. Begin heating over medium heat stirring occasionally until the mixture begins to boil. Once it begins boiling, slowly begin pouring the sweetened condensed milk into the pot, stirring slowly and constantly. Take your time adding the condensed milk - approximately 2 minutes.

boiling caramel for candies

Place a candy thermometer in the mixture and continue to stir slowly until it reaches 238° F. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla bean paste (if using). Pour the caramel into the prepared pan and allow to cool for 2 - 3 hours. The caramel is ready to remove from the pan and cut once it has fully set. If I am in a hurry I will let the caramel cool for about half an hour on the countertop then place in the fridge to finish setting.

FAQs

How do I roll caramels in wax paper?

Cut sheets of wax paper to 5" x 3.5" or purchase premade candy wrappers. Place a caramel on the short edge of the wrapper and roll the candy. Next, twist the ends to seal the caramel.

What are some flavor variations for caramel candies

This homemade caramels recipe may be easily modified to add other flavors. For bourbon caramels, whisk in two tablespoons of bourbon to the caramel just before pouring into the pan to cool. For almond caramels, stir in ½ cup of toasted and slivered almonds to the caramel prior to pouring it into the pan.

📋 Recipe

homemade caramels for dessertswithstephanie.com

Easy Homemade Caramels

This simple homemade caramels recipe produces chewy, buttery candies. Sea salt and vanilla bean add taste to this much-loved candy recipe.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Cooling Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 25 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 64 candies
Calories 72 kcal

Equipment

  • Candy Thermometer
  • Wax Paper for wrapping caramels
  • Square Cake Pan (8" x 8")
  • Heavy Duty Sauce Pan
  • Silicone spatula

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 Cups Granulated Sugar
  • ½ Cup Unsalted Butter
  • 1 Cup Light Corn Syrup
  • 1 Can Sweetened condensed milk 14 ounce can
  • 2 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste Optional
  • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt Optional

Instructions
 

Prepare Pan

  • Spray the pan with oil or coat with softened butter. Cut the parchment to fit into the pan with enough of the paper overhanging to easily pull out the caramels.
    How to line a baking pan

Made the Caramel

  • Combine granulated sugar, butter and corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed sauce pan.
    2 Cups Granulated Sugar, ½ Cup Unsalted Butter, 1 Cup Light Corn Syrup
  • Begin heating over medium heat stirring occasionally until the mixture begins to boil.
  • If needed, wipe the inside of the pan with a clean brush dipped in cold water to remove any sugar crystals.
  • Once it begins boiling, slowly begin pouring the sweetened condensed milk into the pot, stirring slowly and constantly. Take your time adding the condensed milk - approximately 2 minutes. The milk needs to be incorporated into the other ingredients slowly.
    1 Can Sweetened condensed milk
  • Place a candy thermometer in the mixture and continue to stir slowly until it reaches 238° F. Note: don't let the caramel boil on its own - you must keep stirring in order to avoid burnt pieces on the bottom. Also, resist the urge to turn the heat to high!
    boiling caramel for candies
  • Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla bean paste (if using).
    2 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste

Cool and Cut Caramel

  • Pour the caramel into the prepared pan. Optional: sprinkle with sea salt
    1 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • Allow to cool for 2 - 3 hours. The caramel is ready to remove from the pan and cut once it has fully set.

Nutrition

Calories: 72kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 48mgPotassium: 24mgSugar: 14gVitamin A: 61IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 0.02mg
Keyword homemade caramels
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nicole says

    December 16, 2024 at 1:14 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for sharing, this was my first time making caramel and it was a really easy recipe. I'm just patiently waiting for it to cool so I can try it 🙂

    The only question I had, is I did seem to stir the bottom of the pot and got a bit of burnt caramel throughout the mixture, so I wanted your advice on how I should avoid this for next time? Do I need to constantly stir, or let it boil on its own? Thank you for your help.

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      December 16, 2024 at 2:42 pm

      Hi Nicole, Thank you for stopping by. Yes, if you don't stir constantly it may develop bits of burnt pieces. I will update the recipe to ensure this is clearer. Best regards, Stephanie

      Reply
  2. Marsha Mercier says

    December 02, 2024 at 4:25 pm

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! It’s easy and turns out perfect every time! I gift them and everyone raves about them!!

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      December 02, 2024 at 8:11 pm

      Hi Marsha, Thank you for the feedback! So pleased you and your gang enjoy the caramels.

      Reply
  3. Maria Azanha says

    October 26, 2023 at 2:37 pm

    5 stars
    I was pleasantly surprised by how simple it is to create caramel! The recipe yielded a smooth and pliable texture, perfect for cutting and crafting small treats to include in my cookie gift baskets.

    Reply
  4. Kitty P. says

    October 24, 2023 at 4:14 pm

    5 stars
    I didn't realize making caramel was this easy! The recipe turned out creamy and soft enough to cut and make into little gifts for my cookie baskets.

    Reply
  5. Alaina says

    April 12, 2023 at 2:20 pm

    5 stars
    These homemade caramels are delicious ?. I added chopped up peanuts and drizzled with chocolate ? ?

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      April 12, 2023 at 3:53 pm

      5 stars
      Aliana, Thank you for letting me know. The addition of peanuts and chocolate to the caramels sound amazing - I will have to try this.

      Reply
  6. Michelle says

    April 06, 2023 at 4:14 pm

    5 stars
    I love the idea of bourbon caramels. I cannot wait to try this recipe.

    Reply
5 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Welcome to Desserts With Stephanie. I hope you enjoy your visit. All the recipes and techniques I discuss on this site have been fully tested in my bakery for more than 15 years. Let's have some fun in the kitchen and put a smile on someone's face with a little sweetness.

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