HOMEMADE CARAMELS 
1 c. butter
1 (16 oz.) pkg. brown sugar
Dash salt
1 c. light corn syrup
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Generously butter 9 x 9 x 2-inch pan. In heavy 3-quart pan, melt butter. Add sugar and dash of salt. Stir thoroughly. Stir in corn syrup. Gradually add sweetened condensed milk, stirring constantly. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to 245 degrees (firm ball). Mixture should boil gently over entire surface for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Cool completely. Cut with wet, sharp knife. Wrap in wax paper.

CHOCOLATE CARAMELS:

Add 2 ounces cut-up unsweetened chocolate with the milk.

recipe reviews
Homemade Caramels
 #7336
 shauna says:
Best tasting caramel I have ever had. Thanks!
   #83788
 Amanda (Arizona) says:
The only thing I suggest is cutting the caramel before it's all the way cooled, it is super hard to cut when it's completely hardened. However this is an easy delicious recipe and comes out great every time. I'm definitely adding this to my Christmas goodie plates this year!
 #86100
 Darci (Missouri) says:
Remember that your max temp is determined by your elevation. At 4000 feet above sea level, I cook to 236°F because the boiling point is lower. If I were to cook them to 245°F, they would be rock hard. The rule is: subtract 1 degree (from 245°F) for every 500 feet above sea level.
   #88225
 Cami (Utah) says:
Seriously-awesome. This is my first time making caramels and they totally worked! I was quite nervous going in, but they really worked well and taste great. Nice work.
 #91397
 Angie (Ohio) says:
Easy and delicious! Every bit as good at the caramel I paid $20 for at a Specialty shop in Texas! I'll be making this around the holidays as well.
 #112290
 Katherine Elliot (Minnesota) says:
It blows my mind to think that sea level impacts the outcome of my caramel candy! Thanks for the insight! My high school chemistry professor would be very proud of me! :)
   #117877
 Merissa (Minnesota) says:
This turned out great! Coming from two teenage girls, this was pretty easy and suffices our sweet tooth. We didn't even use a candy thermometer... We will definitely be using this easy recipe again!
   #121350
 Kge (Wisconsin) says:
Have made this awesome recipe before and it turned out great. This time I thought I read the recipe wrong and cooked it another 15 min after the firm ball stage. HARD AS A ROCK!!! A great lesson...
   #136237
 KO (Pennsylvania) says:
The first time I made these, they were rock hard. I zapped pan in microwave to soften a little, added some heavy cream, remelted and started over. Came out great. If too soft or too hard, just redo them. No need to waste ingredients.
   #142486
 Michelle Hoger (Manitoba) says:
I made these at Christmas time, and they were WONDERFUL! The only thing that could make them even better is adding a teaspoon of Rum Extract with the vanilla! However, if you are not a fan of rum, then by all means, just keep to the original recipe by all means!
   #174013
 Tony (Minnesota) says:
Great recipe! I've added Ghost Peppers to add heat - and they are a hit for those who like their candy spicy. One teaspoon of Ghost Pepper powder gives a nice blossom of heat - 1.5 tsp makes them quite hot. Have yet to add more than 1.5 tsp.

Thanks for the recipe - the chocolate caramels are great as well.

Tony

 

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