MICROWAVE HOMEMADE CARAMEL CHEWS 
1/2 c. butter
1 (4 oz.) c. chopped walnuts or pecans
1/2 c. light corn syrup
1/2 can sweetened condensed milk, about 3/4 c.
1 c. packed light or dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Generously butter bottom of an 8 inch square micro-safe baking pan. Add nut. Shake pan to settle nuts into an even layer. Put remaining butter and corn syrup in a 2 quart micro-safe bowl (or other deep sided micro-safe container). Microwave at HIGH power for 2 minutes or until butter melts. Add condensed milk, brown sugar, and vanilla. Stir to smoothly blend. Microwave at MEDIUM power for 8-10 minutes, stirring well every minute or so, until mixture has a thick, caramel consistency. Pour mixture over nuts in pan. Tilt pan so caramel flows over nuts in an even layer. Let cool at least 2 hours before cutting into squares.

Makes about 5 dozen.

Since microwave ovens vary in power, you may need to adjust your cooking time.

recipe reviews
Microwave Homemade Caramel Chews
   #86285
 Ladybug lady (Ontario) says:
My interest in candy making has increased over the years. When I found this recipe for caramel to be done in microwave I thought I would give it a try. WOW !! There is a lot of cooking and stirring "by the minute" the results were fabulous. Although I did cook longer than recommended time I waited to reach that beautiful colour before deciding it was done. I also kept testing by dropping a few teaspoons in cold water to see if it had reached the right consistency. No more stove top for me.
   #113750
 Cooking in Aurora (Minnesota) says:
Microwave caramels are amazingly easy and delicious. I have doubled this recipe and eliminated the nuts and it worked out well. Only caution is use a large enough glass mixing bowl and keep an eye on it near the end. Make sure the glass plate in your microwave is clean before you start that way if they do boil over they can still be saved. I too cooked them a little longer and decided by color when they were done. Yum!
   #121595
 Lisa (Massachusetts) says:
After a couple of failed attempts at making caramel, I came across this microwave version. No standing over the stove for hours, no fussing with a candy thermometer - this was SO easy, and quick! I skipped the nuts (so I could bring some to my nut-free workplace), but otherwise followed the instructions exactly. I used light brown sugar; not sure how much of a difference it makes. I let them cool for 2 hours before cutting, then left them in the pan overnight before attempting to take them out and wrap them. They taste great, and held their shape without any problem.

 

Recipe Index