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    Home » Dessert » Homemade Caramels Recipe

    Homemade Caramels Recipe

    Published: Dec 23, 2020 · Modified: Jun 9, 2021 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    These Homemade Caramels are chewy and gooey and sooo delicious. You won’t want to eat just one! Perfect treat for holiday parties and holiday gifts!

    wrapped homemade caramels on a red placemat

    Original post: December 2012 | Updated: December 2020

    Part of the reason I love this season so much is because of the baking and stirring and cutting and wrapping and eating and delivering. This caramel recipe is possibly my favorite of all Christmas treats.

    I remember the first time I made these, back when I was the only one who lived in my then clean but very boring home. I stood over my stove stirring for what seemed like forever, thinking, THESE BETTER BE GOOD.

    When they were finished, I vowed to never complain about the cooking and stirring again because they are chewy, buttery, sugary deliciousness at its very best. So here you go, friends.

    Lineup of homemade caramels with a bite taken out of one

    HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CARAMELS

    STEP 1

    Coat a 9×13 baking dish generously with cooking spray and set aside. In a large, heavy saucepan, combine:

    • Butter
    • Granulated sugar
    • Light brown sugar
    • Light corn syrup
    • Evaporated milk
    • Heavy whipping cream
    one hand holding candy thermometer and the other stirring mixture in saucepan

    STEP 2

    Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer reads 243 degrees F.

    At first the stirring speed can be fairly slow. You can, say, stir with one hand while perusing Pinterest with your other, if that is your thing. The entire cooking process takes me somewhere around 45-50 minutes.

    A little over halfway through, the stirring must become a little more vigorous, as you must make sure the mixture does not burn.

    Occasionally dip the candy thermometer into the middle, being careful not to touch the bottom of the pan, until you get a reading. 243 degrees is my magic number. Any less and the caramels are too gooey. Any more, and they are too chewy.

    STEP 3

    When you reach the magic number, immediately remove the pan from the heat and add 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Stir until combined, then pour the mixture into the prepared 9×13 pan. Allow the caramel to cool completely.

    Cut into 1/2-inch x 1-inch pieces and wrap individually in wax paper.

    caramels stacked around each other on green placemat

    RECIPE NOTES: HOMEMADE CARAMELS

    • A high-quality candy thermometer is a necessity for this recipe. A Thermapen works AMAZING!
    • Prepare yourself for nearly an hour of constant stirring. Have someone on standby if you need a break. TRUST ME when I say that the stirring is 100% worthwhile.
    homemade caramels wrapped in wax paper and tied with red ribbon

    BEST TREATS FOR HOLIDAY BAKING

    • These delicious Chewy Gingersnaps are the perfect chewy treat. Plus they are super easy to make. Flavored with molasses and spices and the finishing touch – topped with simple icing!
    • These are the BEST Sugar Cookies. They are super easy to make (using only seven ingredients) and they are perfect for decorating. You will never need another sugar cookie recipe again!
    • Triple Chocolate Cookies with Peppermint Frosting are already a thick, perfect cookie but Nutella sets them over the edge in goodness. It’s a fun holiday flavor and they look pretty too!
    • These Chocolate Kiss Cream Cheese Cookies are a great dessert for gatherings any time of the year. They are light, creamy and sugary, with just the perfect kiss of milk chocolate!
    • Hot Cocoa Cookies are like enjoying a cup of hot chocolate, except in cookie form. Chocolate oozes from the centers of these marshmallow-topped treats.
    • Oreo Balls are an easy no-bake dessert requiring only three ingredients! This easy dessert is great for the holidays or any time of year.
    • Whether you refer to this irresistible treat as puppy chow or muddy buddies, you are going to be happy to have this recipe as part of your holiday arsenal. This is the EASIEST dessert to throw together, with just a few ingredients and a few minutes of your time.

    Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
    If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!

    Homemade Caramels Recipe

    These Homemade Caramels are chewy and gooey and sooo delicious. You won’t want to eat just one! Perfect treat for holiday parties and holiday gifts!
    5 from 4 votes
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    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 64
    Calories: 109kcal
    Author: Megan Porta

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup butter 2 sticks
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 1 cup light brown sugar
    • 1 cup light corn syrup
    • 1 cup evaporated milk
    • 1 pint heavy whipping cream
    • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Coat a 9×13 dish generously with cooking spray and set aside. Combine the butter, sugars, corn syrup, evaporated milk and heavy whipping cream in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until candy thermometer reads 243 degrees F.
    • Immediately remove pan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the caramel into the prepared pan and allow mixture to cool completely. Cut into small squares and wrap in wax paper.

    Notes

    • A high-quality candy thermometer is a necessity for this recipe.
    • Prepare yourself for nearly an hour of constant stirring. Have someone on standby if you need a break. TRUST ME when I say that the stirring is 100% worthwhile.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 23mg | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 207IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
    « Sugared Pecans Recipe
    White Chili Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. A. Too

      January 19, 2013 at 3:25 pm

      I gave these to family at Christmas and they wanted
      more. I will have to make 2 patches this year.

      Reply
    2. Tia

      January 19, 2013 at 5:34 am

      I think you've just given me my gift idea for next year's extended family Christmas gifts….thanks! Hopefully I'm able to give them away after making them, they look so good!

      Reply
    3. Earline & Jason

      December 23, 2012 at 11:10 pm

      Hello! Some of ours crystalized…. what would cause this?

      Reply
    4. Megan Porta

      December 11, 2012 at 2:39 am

      Hi Archina, Just wrap the caramels in wax paper and they can be stored at room temp. Hope this helps!
      Megan

      Reply
    5. Archina Yoo

      December 10, 2012 at 11:14 pm

      These look amazing. How do you store them?

      Reply
    6. Tamara @ Etcetorize

      December 06, 2012 at 7:00 pm

      Yay! I think I can actually make these. I LOVE caramel…can't wait to try it out. Thanks~

      Reply
    7. Vespa Woolf

      December 03, 2012 at 11:45 am

      There's nothing like homemade caramels. I use parchment paper so they don't stick to the pan. Your photos are gorgeous–thank you!

      Reply
    8. Karen Garrard

      December 02, 2012 at 4:28 am

      Wow. YUM YUM YUM!!!

      Reply
    9. Crystal

      December 01, 2012 at 7:43 pm

      These look beautiful! Nicely done and a perfect holiday treat to gift.

      Reply
    5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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