4.9 from 120 votes
Grandma's Homemade Caramels
Grandma's Homemade Caramels are rich, buttery squares crafted by slowly cooking a mixture of butter, sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup, and brown sugar until it reaches the soft-ball stage. Once infused with vanilla and a pinch of salt, the cooled caramel sets into a tender, chewy candy that can be cut into small squares for individual servings.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
117
caramels
Calories:
48 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter unsalted
- 1 (14 ounce can) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Butter a 9x13 pan well to coat. Set aside
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, pour in sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup, and brown sugar.
- Use a rubber spatula to stir the mixture constantly over medium heat until it starts to simmer, scraping the sides and bottom regularly.
- Once simmering, continue at a constant simmer, stirring constantly until caramel reaches the softball stage of 235 and 245 F, with higher elevations using the lower temperature range, and lower elevations using the upper end of the range.
- At the soft-ball stage, immediately remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt. Pour caramel into the prepared 9x13 pan.
- Let cool completely before cutting into squares. Wrap in pieces of wax paper for individual servings if desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- If you don’t have a candy thermometer, test the caramel by dropping a bit into cold water; it should form a soft ball that flattens when removed to ensure proper texture.
- Cut the caramels into 1-inch squares for around 117 pieces from a 9x13-inch pan, ideal for individual servings or wrapping.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1piece
Calories
48kcal
(2%)
Carbohydrates
8g
(3%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
2g
(3%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
5mg
(2%)
Sodium
12mg
(1%)
Potassium
18mg
(0%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
58IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
14mg
(1%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 117 caramels
Amount Per Serving
Calories 48
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1piece | |
| Calories | 48kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 12mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 18mg | 0% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 58IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 14mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.