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.
Here are a few more recipes you’ll love
Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel *
Recipe Adapted from Food.com
I made in batch that turned out great. Second batch I added VANILLA EXTRACT. BIG MISTAKE!
It won’t set up. It’s like…idk what… Thick goo.
I put it in the fridge & it got too hard. I thought a third batch mixed with the second batch would firm up the two.
Ugh… & Sigh… It still isn’t firming up. I put the mixture in the fridge & am waiting to see what happens.
I’m sure the vanilla extract messed it up. The citric acid or the sodium benzoate was the culprit.
Thank you for sharing Melody. Fingers crossed that they’ll firm up for you.
So I made these today. Not sure what I did wrong but they were soooo sticky that I couldn’t get them out of the well greased glass pan. I put them In The fridge to help cool. But even still cold they were soooo sticky. Placed them on wax paper and couldn’t get them off. Please help me if you can. And let me know what I did wrong. Thanks
Hi! to keep caramel from becoming too sticky, add a little more sweetened condensed milk and cook or microwave it a little longer. Hopefully it turns out next time!
I’ve made this several times and I LOVE the taste and consistency I get. I want to make a large batch to divide and give away, obviously the method here isn’t really meant for that. Do you perhaps have a stovetop friendly version that would allow me to double or even triple this recipe?
Thanks.
So glad you loved it Brandy!
Well Im not sure whatid wrong bit
What is the wattage of your microwave? If your caramels are too soft, you can reheat the mixture. Once it starts to bubble, let it cook for about 40 seconds or so and then cool again. That should help thicken it.
Just made these delicious Caramels. So quick and easy. A definite favourite
So glad you loved it!
yummy love to make it. It is very easy and cool.
Glad you enjoy it Alicia!
Love this caramel. I made it twice once at Christmas and again today and the recipe is perfect.
Just a note on dairy free, I can buy sweetened condensed coconut milk at Sprouts in the baking aisle!
Hi can you tell me what corn syrup is please.
If you are in the UK it will be called golden syrup. Corn Syrup is used in foods to soften texture, add volume, prevent crystallization of sugar, and enhance flavor. You can usually find it in the baking aisle. I hope this helps Marie!
This is the second year I have made this recipe!!! I LOVE THEM, & THIS RECIPE IS SO EASY!!!!! My microwave is a 1000 Watt, following the recipe exact was perfect. I made them at my sister’s in an 1100 Watt this year. The 1st batch I did in (4) – 90 second intervals, they weren’t as soft as i like them so the next batches, I did (4) – 85 second intervals, & they were PERFECT!!!!! THANKS FOR THIS RECIPE!!!!
I am so glad you have enjoyed this recipe!
Very easy to make and tastes great. Mine didn’t set up as much as it should. You take a bit out and it flows back in after awhile. What happened?
What watt is your microwave and how long did you cook it.
I made these last weekend as a test run before Christmas. They were amazing and loved by my entire family. Based on the comments and my microwave I cooked them for 5 minutes and they came out perfect!
I want to make a double batch for Christmas. Can I double the recipe w/out any issue other than modifying the cook time?
I love it
Easy, Yummy, and Fast. Other recipes I found looked so daunting. To think I would need hours, equipment, and possibly a degree was really off putting. I was thrilled to find this one and delighted with my results. *I used condensed sweetened coconut milk- perfect!
So i followed recipe to a T. One batch crunchy like peanut brittle next so chewy your jaw hurts after eating one square ? What went wrong ?
How long did you cook these and what wattage is your microwave?
If u put them in the fridge they get hard.That is what happens with mine.
Have made these for several years for Christmas Gifts! Everyone Loves Them!
Tried this but they came out very hard. They taste good still but have chewed like a hard candy. What did I do wrong?
Microwaves can vary. I would suggest cooking it for less time next time.
It may be my microwave, but I put it in for 4 intervals of 90 seconds (6 minutes) and it turned out rock-hard and a much darker brown than shown in the recipe. If you have a higher-wattage microwave, I would suggest only cooking your caramel for 4.5 minutes. However, it tasted good, if a bit burnt.
I haven’t made these yet- but can I use these for caramel sauce to pour over apples? Also if I don’t have sweetened condensed milk can I use evaporated milk?
This is not a sauce, it is a chewy candy. I would suggest this caramel sauce recipe.
Yes and they were amazing! Thank you so much for the simple way to make delicious caramel. I want to double the batch and hoping cook time of 6 minutes will still work. We’ll see ;)