Simple and easy caramels made in the microwave with just one bowl and no candy thermometer! Sprinkle them with salt, dip or drizzle them with chocolate or wrap them in waxed paper to give as gifts!
I’ve been making these for as long as I can remember!
These are delicious chewy little caramels that are very simple to make and no candy thermometer is required!! They can be used in any recipe that requires you to purchase and unwrap little caramels and are just perfect enjoyed on their own.
The smaller the dish you use, the thicker the caramels will be, I like to make them in an 8×8 pan. A larger dish will just mean a thinner caramel.
You can cut them into squares or into longer sticks. If you’re giving them as a gift, it’s nice to cut them into sticks and wrap each one in a small piece of waxed paper or pretty candy wrappers.
Once they are cut into squares, they are still quite pliable so we store them in the fridge until about an hour before serving! They are perfect dipped or drizzled with chocolate and sprinkled with a little sea salt (or skip the chocolate for a salted caramel).
Easy Microwave Caramels
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup corn syrup (Karo Syrup)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
Optional Toppings
- Salt
- Chocolate
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a large microwave safe bowl (the mixture will bubble up so make sure there is lots of room in the bowl).
- Microwave on high for 6-7 minutes, stirring every 90 seconds.
- Pour into a small buttered dish and allow to cool completely. Cut into small squares.
- If desired, drizzle with chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Note: This mixture gets VERY hot. Ensure there are no children underfoot when you make this.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Candy, Dessert
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These were so simple to make! Mine didn’t have a strong caramel taste and I wonder if I needed to cook it longer? Any suggestions would be welcome because I plan on making them again.
Hmm, I am sorry to hear they weren’t quite as flavorful as you expected! I would be careful cooking them longer than suggested as that can affect their ability to set up properly. Other readers have added a little vanilla extract or used caramel or dulce de leche sweetened condensed milk to enhance the flavor as well! I hope that helps.
Do you need to melt the butter?
The butter will melt while it’s in the microwave with the rest of the ingredients.
How long will these last? I was thinking of making this weekend for a get together on the 13th.
These should last 2-3 weeks if they’re stored in an airtight container.
My microweave is 1100 how long should I cook
Here is an online microwave conversion calculator here. If your microwave is 1100 you might need to cook for 30 seconds less.
The easiest way to make Xmas candy thank you so very much
I wasn’t sure about my microwave, so I used my candy thermometer “to be safe”. Bad idea. I should’ve trusted the 6 minutes! The thermometer didn’t hit “soft candy” stage, so I went 40 more seconds and ruined it. :( I’ll try again and stick with the 6 minutes. Would’ve been perfect!
This recipe always turns out for me. I’ve tried stovetop ones and they never work. But these ones do.
The other night I decided to make some only we did something different. I only had eagle brand dulce de leche sweetened condensed milk so I used that. Then we put it over popcorn and made popcorn balls. They are so good. They turned out perfect! Honest to goodness the perfect popcorn balls. I don’t even know how much popcorn exactly but it was 1/3 cup of kernal in our air popper popped.
Sounds delicious Erica!
These caramels are so simple and delicious! There isn’t one thing i would change! I have made them over a dozen times, and they always come out great. Nice treat to give away.
Light or dark syrup?
Either will work in this recipe. I use light as it’s often what I have on hand.
I absolutely love your recipes! Thank you so much for sharing your passion.
Could this mixture be used, hot out of the microwave, to make caramel apples? That would make my oldest DIL so very happy (and me, too, for the ease of preparation!).
Thank you so much Karen!
I haven’t tried this recipe for caramel apples. We use this Caramel Apple recipe, hope that helps!
Hi Holly
I don’t own a microwave as it isn’t healthy to cook in …boo to me; however could I bake in a toaster oven and if so what setting and temperature?
Thankyou
I have not tried this in a toaster oven.
Can this be doubled?
I’ve only tried this as written so I can’t say for sure. Let us know how it works out for you!
I usually double this recipe so I can use the whole can of sweetened condensed milk and I cook it in the microwave for 12 minutes, stirring every two minutes and they turn out great!!
Absolutely amazing! I remember as a child helping my grandma make caramels and the process was very lengthy and a bit scary when we got to the pressure cooker stage of it but so worth it in the end. I never thought I would come upon a microwave recipe that would rival grandmas but here we are! Thank You Holly Grandma would be impressed, I know I am. Jeff
P.S I am trying your caramel corn tonight. Jeff
That is so sweet of you to say, Jeff! So happy you enjoyed this recipe.
Carmel is my favorite thing ever thank you.
I followed the directions exactly and while the flavor was great and the texture smooth, the caramel cooled and was like hard candy, not the soft caramels I was expecting.
Hi Hickory, if your microwave wattage is too high it can affect the cooking time and cause them to become harder than expected. We heat the caramel mixture for 6-7 minutes in a 1000W microwave, stirring every 90 seconds. Hope that helps!
I didn’t have any sweetened condensed milk, but made my own with sugar and evaporated milk, that I cooked according to an online recipe.
After making and cooling that, I followed the caramel recipe as written. NEVER in my 75 years on this earth, have I had such wonderful, soft, buttery and chewy caramels. I will never buy caramels again!!!!
This is a fabulously easy and addictive recipe THANK YOU!
Hi, I normally use werthers soft caramel, add a little cream and melt it down to pour into a hole in brownies after they are done baking.
How would I adjust the recipe to get pourable caramel that still oozes when you bite in?
I cannot find caramels in any store near me right now.
You can try the caramel in our Chocolate Caramel Cups, it s a bit oozy!
Can these be made on top of the stove? I have a gas range……….
Hi Virginia, sorry, we don’t have a stovetop version of this recipe. But if you try it on the stovetop we would love to hear how it turns out!
I’m making Easter suckers and want to put caramel in Center. Can I use the caramel candy you unwrap and what do I add to make it work?
Hi Karen, I’m not sure if they’d work as I’m not sure what type of suckers you mean.
Substituted Honey for Karo, since I had it on hand. Used 950 Watt microwave & cooked about an additional minute to get Temp showing about 240øF & poured in lined buttered pan! Awesome taste, silky smooth texture that melts in your mouth. Gonna be some really good toasted pecan Turtles…