A delicious Homemade Caramels recipe that has a soft creamy texture. This caramel recipe is a hundred times better than any store-bought caramel pieces that you can buy.
A three-generation family recipe that is a tried-and-true recipe. We have been making this homemade caramel for more than 50 years!!
Making caramel is an art form and requires precision in your measurements. A great recipe with melt in your mouth qualities!
This is a soft caramel recipe, but it’s not so soft that it runs all over the place. This recipe can produce many perfect caramels for the holidays!
Makes a great Christmas gift for your loved ones. I’m a caramel snob and love a great homemade recipe.
It needs to be smooth, creamy, soft but firm, and have an incredible taste. My homemade caramel recipe checks all of those boxes!
A bonus about this caramel recipe, you can turn it into so many other amazing candy recipes like caramel peanut clusters, pecan turtles, chocolate sea salt caramels, and caramel apples.
This recipe calls for heavy whipping cream and regular milk. Evaporated milk can be substituted for the regular milk but will change the finished caramel flavor.
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Tools Needed to Make Homemade Caramels
Having the right tools to make this homemade caramel recipe is very important. A 6-quart large stockpot, heat proof silicone spatula or wooden spoon, a Taylor digital thermometer or good quality candy thermometer, and a greased foil lined 9 x 13 baking pan.
Ingredients for Homemade Soft Caramels
This homemade caramel is made of simple ingredients. Magic happens through the proper cooking technique!
- Butter, Salted
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Milk
- White Sugar, Granulated
- Light Brown Sugar
- Light Corn Syrup (aka Karo Syrup)
- Salt
- Vanilla Extract
How to Make Homemade Caramel
Learning how to make caramel can be a very rewarding experience when done correctly. Follow my step-by-step instructions to learn the proper way.
Gather the ingredients to make your caramel recipe. Line a 9×13 baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Spray the foil lined pan with a light coating of cooking spray or softened butter. Set aside for later.
In a separate container, combine the heavy whipping cream and the milk. Using a 6-quart stockpot, add the butter, pour 1 1/2 cups of the milk mixture, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, light corn syrup, and salt.
Make sure to use light brown sugar and light corn syrup. Stir all the ingredients together with a heat proof silicone spatula or wooden spoon.
How to Cook Homemade Caramels
Over medium heat, bring the caramel mixture to a rolling boil stirring constantly. Control the boil by adjusting the heat if needed.
Be careful with the hot caramel as it is boiling. Continue stirring to create a liquid caramel sauce.
Use a good digital thermometer (candy thermometer) to keep track of the temperature. Cook the caramel recipe until it reaches 234°F.
With the heat still on medium, very slowly add in the remaining 1 ½ cups of milk mixture stirring constantly. Only add ¼ of a cup at a time.
Making sure the caramel mixture remains a constant boil as you pour in the milk mixture. Continue stirring the hot caramel mixture and cook to 244°F.
There is no need to do an ice water test to check for the soft ball stage when using the proper digital thermometer. Just remember to bring the caramel mixture up to the two proper temperatures!
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. The cooking process can take up to two hours to make.
Do not rush this process otherwise your homemade caramel will not set properly. Cooking time will vary.
Pour the hot caramel into the greased prepared pan. Cool completely. Refrigerate the caramel until set.
How to Cut Caramels
This homemade caramel recipe should be cold when cutting into pieces. Lift the whole piece of caramel out of the pan and place on a cutting surface.
Remove the foil from the sheet of caramel. Carefully using a kitchen knife, cut the cold caramel into the desired size pieces.
If the sharp knife becomes slightly sticky from the caramel, clean, dry, and continue cutting. Individually wrap the caramel in pieces of waxed paper and twist the ends tight to seal shut.
If you have seen a Tootsie Roll, that is how you want to roll your caramel pieces.
How to Store Homemade Caramels
Store whole piece of caramel in the refrigerator and keep wrapped in plastic wrap for several months. If pieces of cut caramels are wrapped in wax paper, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several months.
Salted Caramels
You could make other things with this caramel recipe depending on what you want them for. Make salted caramels by sprinkling sea salt over the freshly made warm caramels.
Let the caramels set up in the pan for around five minutes and then sprinkle the top with some course sea salt. It’s possible to dip these salted caramel pieces into melted chocolate.
Hot Caramel Sauce
If you want a hot caramel sauce, then you can make and serve the hot homemade caramel right away. Don’t let it cool down.
You can also heat caramel that has set up. No need to add additional milk. This amazing recipe is very versatile and can be used for several other caramel candy recipes.
Recipes Made with Homemade Caramel
Once you learn how to make this soft homemade caramels recipe, you can make so many other caramel recipes with it.
Make an extra-large batch of caramels and make an assortment of different candies for a dessert tray.
Dessert Charcuterie Board
One of my favorite things to make is a dessert charcuterie board. Making a collection of candies and cookies to display on a decorative tray is the perfect gift for family and friends.
Serve a dessert charcuterie board at your next holiday party and watch your guests oh and ahh as they beg for your treasured recipes.
Homemade Caramel – FAQ
A homemade caramel recipe is made by cooking butter, a combination of milks and sugars, corn syrup, and salt to a rolling boil until it reaches the desired temperatures. Vanilla is added after cooking for additional flavor.
Yes, this homemade caramel recipe turns out perfect if you make a half batch or double the recipe. Just make sure to use a large enough pan so the hot caramel does not overflow.
Homemade Caramel Recipe
Homemade Caramels Recipe
A delicious Homemade Caramels recipe that has a soft creamy texture. This caramel recipe is a hundred times better than any store-bought caramel pieces that you can buy. A three-generation family recipe that is a tried-and-true recipe.
Ingredients
- Butter, Salted 4 tablespoons
- Heavy Whipping Cream 2 cups
- Milk 1 cup
- White Sugar, Granulated 1 cup
- Brown Sugar, Light 1 cup
- Light Corn Syrup 1 1/2 cups
- Salt 1/4 teaspoon
- Vanilla Extract 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients to make your creamy caramel recipe.
- Line a 9x13 baking dish with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Spray the foil lined pan with a coating of cooking spray or softened butter. Set the pan aside for later.
- In a separate container, add the milk and heavy whipping cream. Stir to combine.
- Using a 6-quart stockpot,. Add the butter, pour 1 1/2 cups of the milk mixture, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, light corn syrup, and salt. Make sure you use light brown sugar and light corn syrup. Stir all the ingredients together. Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a rolling boil stirring constantly. Control the rolling boil by adjusting the heat if needed. Be careful not to burn yourself with the hot caramel as it is boiling.
- Continue stirring and use a digital thermometer or candy thermometer to keep track of the temperature. Cook the homemade caramel recipe until it reaches 234°F.
- With the heat still on medium, very slowly add in the remaining 1 ½ cups of milk (about 1/4 cup at a time) mixture stirring constantly. Making sure the caramel mixture remains a constant boil as you are pouring in the milk mixture. Continue stirring the hot caramel and cook to 244°F.
- Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla.
- The caramel cooking process can take up to two hours to make. Do not rush this process otherwise your homemade caramel recipe will not set properly. Cooking times will vary.
- Pour the hot caramel into the prepared greased pan. Cool completely. Refrigerate the caramel until set.
How to Cut Homemade Caramels
- This caramel recipe should be cold when cutting into bite sized pieces.
- Lift the whole slab of caramel out of the pan and place on a cutting board. Remove the all the foil from the sheet of caramel.
- Carefully using a sharp knife, cut the cold caramel into the desired bite-sized pieces. If the knife becomes sticky from the caramel, clean, dry, and continue cutting.
- If desired, Individually wrap the caramel in pieces of waxed paper and twist the ends tight to seal shut.
Notes
Recipes Made with this Homemade Caramel
When you learn how to make this soft homemade caramels recipe, you can make so many other caramel candy recipes with it. Prepare an extra-large batch of caramel and make an assortment of different candies for a dessert tray. Here are some things to make with this caramel recipe:
Sea Salt Chocolate Dipped Caramels
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains affiliate links. Click on the highlighted text in a post to explore a product. If you purchase through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I ONLY EVER ENDORSE PRODUCTS THAT I TRULY LOVE. Thank you for your support!
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Taylor Precision Products Programmable with Timer Instant Read Wired Probe Digital, Meat, Food, Grill BBQ Cooking Kitchen Thermometer with Timer, Gray -
HOTEC Food Grade Silicone Rubber Spatula Set Kitchen Utensils for Baking, Cooking, and Mixing High Heat Resistant Non Stick Dishwasher Safe BPA-Free Multicolor Set of 5
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Rachael Ray Brights Nonstick Stock Pot/Stockpot with Lid - 6 Quart, Gray
Nutrition Information
Yield
100Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 51Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 7mgSodium 15mgCarbohydrates 8gFiber 0gSugar 8gProtein 0g
Note: For exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information is simply a guideline.
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