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4.7 from 300 votes

Easy 4 Ingredient Soft Caramels (no candy thermometer required)

EASY soft caramels with just 4 ingredients. You can whip these up in about 15 minutes with NO candy thermometer and they literally melt in your mouth!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 25 servings
Calories: 74 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ ticks butter (12 tablespoons)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
  • optional: coarse sea salt, ½ teaspoon vanilla (see note)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium sauce pan combine butter and sugar and stir over medium heat until melted. Stir in corn syrup and condensed milk.
  2. 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!)
  3. Pour caramel into a foil-lined 8x8 inch pan and allow to cool completely. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt if desired.
  4. When completely cooled, cut into squares and wrap in wax paper.

Notes

  • Step 2 - After bringing the mixture to a rapid boil (step 2), reduce the heat to medium heat. The caramel will continue to bubble from here on out. Keep stirring over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until your caramel reaches a deep golden color and the caramel starts to "pull away" from the edges of the pan. Also, if your butter starts to separate, remove from heat and whisk whisk whisk like crazy and it will come back together - then continue to whisk over heat until deep golden color is reached. 
  • *Weather - If you aren't familiar with candy making - it is commonly known that candy making can be temperamental due to location (altitude) and weather. That being said, I have personally never had an issue with this recipe, it always comes out perfectly! 
  • Batch size - makes about 20-30 caramels (depending on how large you cut them)
  • *Cooling time - recipe prep time does not include cooling time which may be 1-2 hours
  • Add-ins - for additional richness and flavor, you can stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla after removing the caramel from the heat and before pouring it into your prepared pan. sprinkle coarse sea salt on top of caramels for a boost of rich salted caramel flavor!

Nutrition Information

Calories 74kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 15g (5%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 5mg (2%) Sodium 22mg (1%) Potassium 59mg (2%) Sugar 15g (30%) Vitamin A 42IU (1%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 46mg (5%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 25servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 74

% 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.