Soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth Homemade Caramels are the perfect holiday gift! Package them up and enjoy this heavenly candy all season long.
Prep Time30 minutesmins
Cook Time35 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr5 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Homemade Caramels
Servings: 80
Calories: 64kcal
Author: Garnish and Glaze
Video
Ingredients
2cupsgranulated sugar
2cupsheavy whipping cream, (divided)
3/4cupdark corn syrup
3/4cupbutter, cut into chunks (I use salted butter)
1teaspoonvanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare a 9x9 inch or 11x7 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper or grease with butter on bottom and sides.
Place sugar, corn syrup, butter, and 1 cup cream in a 4 quart pot and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heat resistant spatula.
Once it reaches a boil, heat the remaining cup of cream in the microwave for 45-60 seconds. Gradually add the cream in a slow stream to the pot while constantly stirring. You need to add it slow enough that the caramel never stops boiling (if it stops your caramel will become sugary/crystallized).
Stir frequently (and scrape the sides of the pan) as the mixture begins to thicken and then stir constantly as it starts to darken. Cook until it reaches 240-242 degrees F*. I usually just do the cold water test by spooning a little of the caramel into cold water, let it sit for a few seconds and then pull it out and if it can hold the shape of a ball then it's done. If not, keep cooking and repeat the test.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour into prepared dish. Let the caramels cool completely before cutting.
Hold two sides of the parchment paper and lift the caramel out of the pan. Using a sharp knive, cut caramels into squares.
Wrap up the caramels using pre-cut cellophane wrappers or cut wax paper strips 5 inches long and then cut each strip into thirds to get pieces that are bout 4 inches wide.
Notes
*For every 1,000 ft above sea level, reduce cooking temperature by 2 degrees.