Delicious Caramels

My long-time blogging friend, Diana shared her recipe for delicious caramels on her blog, Nana Diana Takes a Break. I had never made caramels but since Diana said this recipe never fails (and she has tried many recipes) I was excited to make a batch.  And, then another batch.  Because they are that good!

Buttery  .  Rich  .  Sweet  .  Delicious.  And, just the right consistency.  Hard when you put them into your mouth and in a few seconds, soft and chewy as the buttery caramel flavor explodes!  I try to let them melt in my mouth but it is near impossible not to chew them 🙂

How to make caramels in the microwave

Measure the ingredients.

Butter an 8 x 8″ dish. (I had no problem removing the caramel from the dish but if you are concerned, line the pan with foil, extending foil over edges. Butter the foil.)

Melt butter in large microwave-safe bowl in the microwave.

Carefully remove bowl from microwave.

Add the Karo syrup, light brown sugar, granulated sugar and the sweetened condensed milk. Stir. Microwave on high 3 1/2 minutes. Carefully remove from microwave, stir. Return to microwave for 3 1/2 more minutes. Remove from the microwave; add the vanilla and chopped nuts (if using). Stir gently until only a few air bubbles remain.

Pour and chill

Pour into prepared pan and set aside to cool completely.

Remove the caramel block from the pan. 

Carefully cut into squares  or long pieces.

Wrap individually using squares of waxed paper. 

Wrapping isn’t necessary and it is time consuming but does make the caramels look special. If the caramels are not wrapped individually, place pieces between layers of waxed paper to keep them from sticking together. Store in an air-tight container.

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Delicious Caramels

Use a large microwave safe mixing bowl (a 2-quart Pyrex measuring bowl with a spout is perfect to prevent boiling over that is both a burn hazard and a big clean-up mess)

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup Karo syrup
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Butter an 8 x 8″ dish. (I had no problem removing the caramel from the dish but if you are concerned, line the pan with foil, extending foil over edges. Butter the foil.)
• Melt butter in large microwave bowl in the microwave. Remove bowl from microwave, add the Karo syrup, light brown sugar, granulated sugar and the sweetened condensed milk. Stir. Microwave on high 3 1/2 minutes. Carefully remove from microwave, stir. Return to microwave for 3 1/2 more minutes. Remove from the microwave; add the vanilla and chopped nuts (if using, I didn’t). Stir gently until only a few air bubbles remain.
• Pour into prepared pan and set aside to cool completely. Cut into squares and wrap individually using squares of waxed paper. 

RECIPE NOTE

I made a second batch using the other half a can of sweetened milk.  I thought about just doubling the recipe but was concerned that the cooking time would need to be changed to insure firm caramels.  The recipe is so quick and easy, making a second batch is not a problem.

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