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).
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
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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Anyone try melting some chocolate chips in this for a chocolate caramel?
Can this be cooked on the stove instead of microwave?
I have only made this as written. I’m sure it would work I just don’t know how long it would take to get to the right consistency.
Never made caramel before. This was so easy! I think I cooked it a little too long, it’s firmer than I wanted. Next time 6 minutes or less. I also added walnuts at the end. Terrific recipe!
Walnuts would be a delicious addition, thank you for sharing!
Was great but stuck in buttered dish. How do I get these out without a gooey mess? Or not able to get out. Should I use wax paper or aluminum foil in dish so I can plop them out? I ended up heating it to soften and made individual candies in wax paper but it was hard since it didn’t cut right. A lot was on my spatula and knife. Would this be better to just take spoonfuls to put on the paper to wrap when it’s still soft? Thanks!
You could certainly try lining your pan with greased parchment paper.
Hi, has anyone made these ahead of time and froze them? Where they still soft and chewy after unthawing?? I’m looking too make a bunch for my wedding but would like too do it ahead of time and freeze.
TIA
Hi there!
I made these yesterday & I don’t think I probably cooked them long enough because I can’t seem to cut them neatly–a little gooey. They taste delicious though! Do you have any tips on how to cut them? I’m considering just pulling pieces off & rolling them like dough.
I have made this recipe several times and never had trouble cutting them. If you pull them apart as you suggest I would love to hear how it works for you.
I am now trying to figure out how to get this into my apple pie moonshine……..mmmmm Carmel apple pie shine
That sounds awesome Darrin!
I tried this one and read the recipie wrong. I used corn oil instead of corn syrup. It kind of worked and looked and smelled like carmels. But it was really greasy. Too greasy to enjoy. Made a good laxative. I think after 5 years, I am ready to try again.
I was wondering, if I could use dark corner syrup?
Yes, dark corn syrup would work in this recipe.
I needed caramel to make caramel filled chocolates and these worked perfectly. So soft and good. I have a 1200w microwave so set at 80% power. I used Carnation caramel flavored sweetened condensed milk. Next time Ian going to make it with the chocolate flavored condensed milk.
I have never seen this flavored condensed milk, but I am going to do a quick google search to see where I can get it. That sounds like a fantastic addition to these caramels Sharon!
Sorry, I said Carnation but it is actually Eagle Brand for the caramel and chocolate flavored sweetened condensed milk. I got ithem at Walmart.
In my country we have not corn syrup Honey is possible ? Kisses Luly from Argentine
Hello Luly, I haven’t tried this with honey so I can’t say for sure how it would work. Do you have golden syrup?
I made this recipe this afternoon & it turned out great.
Yay! We are happy to hear that you loved the caramels!
Thanks for sharing very good recipes
I’ve never made candy before, so I liked the simplicity of your recipe. I have a 1750-watt microwave, and I followed your instructions except I only waited 60 seconds before stirring, After 6 minutes, I had to google “homemade caramel too hard”! I learned that ah, if you cook the caramel too hot, it sets up too hard. Good to know! I then remade the recipe (since I still had 1/2 can of sweetened condensed milk, why not), and set the microwave to 50% power for 2 90 second intervals and 60% power for 2 90-second intervals (since your 1000-watt has 57% less wattage than a 1750-watt) and redid it. This time it worked out perfectly! Yay me! The bowl was much easier to clean this time! My husband is now trying to come up with someone we don’t like to give that hard as a rock candy to….
Hard carmels are awesome also.. you may actually make a friend buy giving them away.
My caramel never set? :( Super disappointing since I made 3 batches that I needed to through away. :(
Did you triple the recipe? How many watts is your microwave and how long did you cook them for?
I’m not sure what I did wrong, but this recipe was a big flop for me. I microwaved for 6.5 minutes. They stuck like glue to the buttered pan, and were way too soft. They didn’t keep their shape. Disappointed.
How many watts is your microwave?
I need the recipe for the microwave caramels please!!!
If I double the recipe, should I cook for the same amount of time…thank you
I would not recommend doubling this recipe, I would suggest making two separate batches.
Holly,
Below is a link on how to make corn syrup… Just saw that some ppl were having trouble finding it in some countries… Hope it works well, I’m goin to try it after things slow down around here..lol.. Christmas time is crazy here
https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21362042.tip.html
Thank you for sharing!! I’ll have to test it out too!
I have a 1600w microwave. My hubby and I read all the comments on cooking time and decided to do 5:30, they turned out perfectly! Thank you for this recipe, I can’t wait for my family back in Michigan to enjoy them!
I’m so glad they worked out for you! Thank you for sharing your time in a 1600W microwave! Merry Christmas to you and your family!