Easy 4 Ingredient Soft Caramels (no candy thermometer required)
User Reviews
4.7
Easy 4 Ingredient Soft Caramels (no candy thermometer required)
Description
Easy 4 Ingredient Soft Caramels begin by melting butter and sugar over medium heat, then stirring in corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk. The mixture is brought to a boil and then simmered while stirring until it reaches a deep golden color and thick consistency without the need for a thermometer.
The cooking process produces a rich caramel with chewy softness, and occasionally the butter may separate; whisking quickly can bring it back together. Optionally, vanilla extract can be added after cooking for flavor depth, and coarse sea salt can be sprinkled on top for a salty contrast.
Once the caramel is poured into a lined pan and cooled completely, it is cut into squares and wrapped in wax paper. This recipe yields about 20 to 30 caramels depending on size.
The notes emphasize patience during cooking, especially adjusting simmer times based on altitude and weather, and the importance of stirring constantly. The caramels can be cooled 1-2 hours before cutting.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ticks butter (12 tablespoons)
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- sea salt see note, optional, vanilla ½ teaspoon
- vanilla see note, optional, vanilla ½ teaspoon
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan combine butter and sugar and stir over medium heat until melted. Stir in corn syrup and condensed milk.
- Bring to a boil and then decrease to simmer 7-10 minutes or until mixture achieves deep golden color, stirring constantly. (*For lower altitudes, simmer time may need to be reduced 2-3 minutes, watch carefully for coloring and read note!)
- Pour caramel into a foil-lined 8x8 inch pan and allow to cool completely. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt if desired.
- When completely cooled, cut into squares and wrap in wax paper.
Notes
- After reaching a rapid boil, reduce heat to medium and stir constantly as you simmer for about 10 minutes until the caramel is deep golden and begins to pull away from the pan edges.
- If the butter separates during cooking, remove the pan briefly and whisk vigorously to bring it back together before continuing.
- Consider adding ½ teaspoon vanilla extract after cooking for additional flavor depth.
- Sprinkle coarse sea salt on cooled caramel squares to create salted caramels with balanced sweetness.
- The recipe yields 20 to 30 caramels depending on cutting size and requires 1 to 2 hours of cooling before cutting.
- Adjust simmer time based on altitude and weather as caramel making can be sensitive to these factors.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 25servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 74 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 74kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 15g | 5% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 22mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 59mg | 1% |
| Sugar | 15g | 30% |
| Vitamin A | 42IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 46mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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