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Home » Desserts

Published: Dec 16, 2017 · Modified: Dec 1, 2020 by Kathy

Homemade Caramels

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A holiday tin filled with homemade candy.

Soft and chewy homemade caramels are perfect for gift giving or filling your candy jar. 

Caramels wrapped in waxed paper on a white board with a snowman tin behind the caramels.

These are a family tradition. My mom has made homemade caramels for years. She still makes several batches of this delicious caramel every year! They are treats for the family and gifts for co-workers and neighbors. 

A slice of caramel on a piece of waxed paper.

When I moved away, I realized I needed to make these delicious treat too! I'm not as diligent as my mom, but I do try to make at least one batch of this homemade caramel  every year.

A piece of caramel being folded up into a piece of waxed paper.

These caramels aren't hard to  make. The toughest part is knowing how long to cook them. You can either use a candy thermometer or the cold water test.

I always use the cold water test. It's super simple. You simply drop hot boiling caramel into a glass of cold water. You test the texture of the caramel with your fingers to see if it's done.

Wrapped candy pieces in waxed paper on a white board.

How do I make caramel candy?

To make these caramels, you put all ingredients, except for the vanilla in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often  After the mixture comes to a boil, you continue stirring for 5-10 minutes. The actual time varies depending on the size of your burner, the type of pan you are using and the type of heat (gas or electric).

After 5 minutes of boiling you will want to start testing the caramel to see if it's done. Take a small glass of cold water. Drop a small amount of boiling caramel into the glass. Let set for about 10 seconds.

Reach into the glass with your fingers, pull out the caramel and test the texture. If it forms together and holds its shape, it's done! If you use a candy thermometer you will boil until mixture reaches 245 degrees.

A homemade caramel with a bite out of it.

Other great holiday treats

  • Raspberry Cookies
  • Cranberry Scones
  • Eggnog Scones
  • Apple Cider Donuts

 

A holiday tin filled with homemade candy.

 

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Caramels wrapped in waxed paper on a white board with a snowman tin behind the caramels.

Homemade Caramels

Kathy Berget
Soft and buttery homemade caramels
5 from 30 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Candy
Cuisine American
Servings 80 caramels
Calories 61 kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • ¾ Cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 Cup Corn Syrup
  • 1 Cup Butter
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla

Instructions
 

  • Butter a baking dish. I use a 9 x 13" pan.
  • In a sauce pan, place all ingredients except vanilla.
  • Place over medium heat, stirring until all ingredients are melted and combined.
  • Continue cooking over medium to medium low heat until mixture boils. Stir every few minutes to avoid scorching.
  • If using a candy thermometer, boil until temperature reaches 245 degrees. 
  • If not using a candy thermometer, begin testing caramel in a glass of cold water after 5 minutes of boiling. Drop a small amount of boiling caramel into a glass of cold water. Test caramel with fingers. It should retain its shape and not flatten out, but should still be soft. 
  • Remove caramel from heat. Stir in vanilla.
  • Immediately pour caramel into prepared pan.
  • When caramel has cooled, remove from pan. Slice into strips and then into individual pieces. Wrap each piece of caramel in a piece of waxed paper.

Notes

  • Please use caution when cooking caramel. It is extremely hot.
  • To remove from pan, use a knife to loosen sides of caramel from pan. Invert baking dish over a plastic cutting board. Allow caramel to slide from pan. If caramel doesn't want to come out of pan, place dish in microwave for 30-45 seconds to slightly warm dish and caramel. Invert dish over cutting board. 
  • Caramel does need to be individually wrapped or it will become hard.

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 61kcalCarbohydrates: 10gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 41mgPotassium: 14mgSugar: 10gVitamin A: 80IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 12mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ashley@CookNourishBliss says

    December 20, 2017 at 7:31 am

    Homemade caramels are definitely a fantastic gift! Wishing you and your family a magical holiday season!!

    Reply
  2. Adina says

    December 20, 2017 at 3:22 am

    I remember such homemade caramels from my childhood as well, I wasn't much into sweets then but I loved these one. It never occurred to me to make them myself, but what a great idea! My kids would love them!

    Reply
  3. Fran @ G'day Souffle' says

    December 19, 2017 at 8:08 am

    Thanks for the tip on the 'water test'- I wasn't familiar with that. Even though this type of candy might 'wreak havoc' on my dental work, I might give this recipe a go! Merry Christmas!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 19, 2017 at 8:10 am

      It's a technique my mom has always used. Be careful with your teeth! 🙂

      Reply
  4. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    December 18, 2017 at 9:17 am

    5 stars
    This is a family tradition I'd love to start! Nothing like sweet chewy caramels! Wonderful!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 19, 2017 at 6:13 am

      You can start a family tradition at any time! Maybe today's the day for these caramels! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    December 18, 2017 at 6:36 am

    Love that these are a family tradition! What a fabulous idea to make your own candy - so much more satisfying (and tastier) than any store bought candy, that's for sure! I would love to gift (or get) these as a gift. What a treat 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 19, 2017 at 6:13 am

      They are quite a treat! 🙂

      Reply
  6. David @ Spiced says

    December 18, 2017 at 5:21 am

    I love homemade candy, too, but we don't make it very often around here. I have no idea why not! These homemade caramels sound perfect for the holidays. Thanks for the cold water test explanation. I've never tried that out, and it sounds pretty easy. Now I want to go make a huge batch of caramels...and eat 'em all! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 19, 2017 at 6:08 am

      I will warn you - eating them all is totally possible! Not that I've done that or anything 😉 It's best to give them away right away or they do disappear and then you have to make another batch.

      Reply
  7. Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says

    December 18, 2017 at 4:50 am

    I can see why these are a tradition! They look like perfection and would make a wonderful gift! Take care.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 19, 2017 at 6:03 am

      Thanks, Stacey!

      Reply
  8. cakespy says

    December 18, 2017 at 3:35 am

    Ummmmm yes please . Caramel is LIFE. These are awesome!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 19, 2017 at 5:57 am

      Thanks! I can tell you are a true caramel lover!

      Reply
  9. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    December 17, 2017 at 1:14 pm

    Caramels are a holiday tradition at our house too Kathy! I make some for us to enjoy and make tons for gifting! My favorite!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 19, 2017 at 5:57 am

      It's a great tradition!

      Reply
  10. Ashika | Gardening Foodie says

    December 17, 2017 at 8:01 am

    5 stars
    Oh I love homemade candy...and these caramels look so delicious, I have got to try this.
    A real delicious famly tradition. Thank you for the great recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 17, 2017 at 8:16 am

      I hope you love them as much as we do!

      Reply
  11. Kaylene says

    December 16, 2017 at 10:06 pm

    5 stars
    Oh yum Kathy, these look delicious plus they look dangerously easy to make!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 17, 2017 at 6:24 am

      They are delicious! Not tough at all! Wrapping the caramels takes the most time, but you can nibble while you wrap! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Jenny says

    December 16, 2017 at 6:57 am

    5 stars
    My favorite!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 16, 2017 at 7:36 am

      They are just about everyone's favorite! You just can't go wrong with a soft chewy homemade caramel!

      Reply
5 from 30 votes (26 ratings without comment)

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