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Caramel Candy has never been easier to make! With just a few ingredients and a few minutes of time you can make rich, chewy caramel squares in your microwave.
Homemade Caramel Candies
I don’t know about you, but I can hardly contain my excitement when a Christmas plate is delivered and they have some homemade caramels wrapped in wax paper on them. They are always the softest, melt in your mouth caramels and I have great news for you..
YOU can make them. Seriously, with just a few ingredients, a microwave and a little stirring you’ve got those decadent caramel squares dreams are made of.
Caramel Candy Recipe ingredients
There is a full list of ingredients with exact measurements in the printable recipe card below.
- Butter– I generally use salted butter, but be warned that salted butter will pop in the microwave when you are initially melting it down. I just place a paper towel over my bowl to avoid a mess in the microwave. You could use unsalted if you have it though. Just add a pinch of salt to the caramel mixture prior to microwaving.
- Sweetened condensed milk– just one 14 oz can.
- Corn syrup– light corn syrup is what we will use. Dark corn syrup will yield a richer and darker flavor and color.
- Brown Sugar– You need brown sugar for this recipe, don’t try and substitute granulated sugar. Trust me, you will be so disappointed!
- Vanilla extract
- flakey sea salt– I use Maldon’s flakey sea salt, I purchased it on amazon.
How to Make Caramel Candy in the Microwave
Making Caramels in the microwave couldn’t be easier. Follow the steps below and you’ll be golden!
- in a large microwave safe bowl, melt your butter completely. (Please use a heavy duty, microwave safe bowl. The bowl will get very hot. Check the manufacturers website to ensure it is microwave safe to high temperatures.)
- Stir in the sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup and brown sugar. The mixture will be grainy, but there should be no lumps.
- Microwave on high for 5 minutes and then stir. Continue microwaving and stirring 1 minute at a time until the temperature reaches 240° on an instant read thermometer. (see below for instructions on how to check doneness without a thermometer.)
- Pour the mixture into a buttered 8×8 pan. Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes and then place in the fridge for 3 hours.
- Wait until the caramel is cold before cutting.
- Cut with a sharp knife in one up and down motion for each cut.
- Wrap with wax paper and enjoy!
Tips for this Microwave Caramel Recipe
How to check temperature of Caramel Candies
You’ll check if the caramel is done by quickly bringing it down to room temperature and ‘setting’ the caramel to see what the finished texture would be like. To do this, get a bowl of ice water and drop a small amount of the hot caramel liquid into the ice water. When the caramel is ready, the caramel will ball up and be easily pliable between your fingers. If it is still really soft and doesn’t come together in a ball, you’ll need to cook it for longer. If it hardens and is more like toffee, the caramel has been cooked too long.
How to store Microwave Caramels
How to freeze Microwave Caramel Recipe
Yes, you can! Just make sure that the caramel is wrapped well and then in an air tight container.
Check out these other Dessert Recipes
Microwave Caramel Candies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (111g) salted butter, if using salted butter, make sure to cover your bowl in the microwave
- 2 cups (492g) brown sugar
- 1 cup (327g) corn syrup
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- flakey sea salt, optional
Instructions
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter completely.1/2 cup (111g) salted butter
- Add the brown sugar, corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk to the bowl and whisk until completely combined.2 cups (492g) brown sugar, 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup (327g) corn syrup
- Microwave on high power for 5 minutes.
- Stir and check the temperature of the mixture. Our goal is to get it to about 240°.
- If you don't have a instant read thermometer, you can check the doneness by dropping a small spoonful into a cup with ice water. The texture of the caramel after it cools down in the ice water is what the texture of the caramel will be if you stopped cooking it right now. It should be soft and pliable, but not super hard or super soft.
- If needed, return the caramel to the microwave and cook for an additional one minute and then check the temperature, repeating until the temperature has reached 240°f (115°c) or until it is done to your liking by the ice water test.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pour the caramel mixture into a buttered 8×8 pan.
- Allow the caramel to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Then place the caramel in the fridge for 2-3 hours or until set.
- Sprinkle with flakey sea salt, if desired.flakey sea salt
- Cut into desired shape and size, wrap in wax paper. Enjoy!
Thank you so much for adding gram measurements to your recipe! I prefer to bake with weights than with cups, so this is really helpful! Can’t wait to try these.
Brilliant! My family loves it.
Just made these. In the fridge as I write this. But the recipe called for vanilla yet never mentions when to add?? I’m hoping these turn out because it looks beautiful
This is the best recipe! I’m a caramel snob and I give it my highest rating. This was the 2nd time I’ve made it and added 1 tsp of dark molasses to the corn syrup measurement to see if it deepened the flavor. It’s good either way. And I top it with sea salt. Everyone raves about this recipe who has tried it. WARNING – Don’t double the recipe. While it still turned out great, my microwave was a mess after it boiled over. Live and learn! Keep the recipes coming, Karli!
I have labored 2 hours over the stove making caramels numerous times. So much work. I saw this recipe and thought it was worth a try. I have made these 5 times since Thanksgiving. They came out perfect every single time. Each batch made between 75 and 82 caramels. They have that smooth, soft caramel texture, and are so delicious. I wrapped them in 5 x 5 inch clear cellophane sheets, giving them a professional look. I am going to make 800 wrapped caramels, and put 4 in each cello bag. My daughter and new son-in-law will give each of the 200 guests at their wedding, a goodie bag to take home. Thank you for this lovely recipe.
Hi Laura,
Hope the wedding favors are as cute as I’m picturing!
Do the caramels spread if you don’t wrap them right away?? I made turtles with the caramel squares and the spread alot
Good so far
Sounds great