Homemade caramels are soft and chewy with the perfect decadent flavor. It is a soft caramel candy that is always a family favorite and a tradition to make during the holiday season. With only four ingredients, you can make these not only once, but two or three times during the holidays. Make a double batch for you and for others! These caramels are so easy to make and turn out perfectly every time! You can wrap them for gifts, have them ready when friends and family come over, or add them to another treat like these dipped caramel pretzel bites. Slice and wrap each caramel individually for a special treat this year!

Ingredients in Homemade Caramels

These homemade caramels are definitely my favorite when it comes to caramels, nothing else even compares. Plus, they are SO easy. You can even memorize the recipe by heart. It only takes four ingredients and two of everything. It is SO easy to memorize!

Butter – Give these caramels a smooth and silky look and texture with butter. Make sure you don’t use margarine. It won’t set up the same. Whipping cream – Soft and chewy comes straight from the whipping cream. This helps give it the creamy texture. Sugar – You will want white granulated sugar, not brown sugar. The caramel coloring is from the butter and Karo syrup combination. The sugar adds the perfect sweetness to the homemade caramels. Karo corn syrup – I used light corn syrup to add thickness, sweetness, and silkiness to the easy caramels.

Homemade Caramels Without A Candy Thermometer

We recommend using a candy thermometer for this recipe, but if you don’t have a candy thermometer or are just old-school, you can always do the “softball stage test” or the “cold water test”. Using a clean spoon, carefully take a little of the cooked caramel from the saucepan and drop it into the bowl of very cold water. Reach into the bowl with your hands and see if the caramel can be molded into a softball. If it’s pliable and soft, the caramel has reached the softball stage (234 – 240 degrees F).

How To Make Salted Caramels

If you are wanting to take the traditional homemade recipe just one step further, try stirring a splash of vanilla extract in with the caramel before pouring it into the baking dish. Then, sprinkle some pink Hawaiian sea salt or coarse Kosher salt over the top after you have poured it into the pan and it has cooled for about 15 minutes. That way, the salt will stick to the top and not get absorbed into the caramel. SO GOOD.

How to Wrap Caramels

The easiest way to wrap homemade caramel candy is to wait until they are mostly cooled in the baking dish before cutting them into pieces. I have found that they are easiest to wrap when they have reached room temperature. Cut the caramels with a sharp knife (or scissors) into approximately 1″ x 1 1/2″ pieces and wrap them in wax or parchment paper approximately 3″x3″. Wrapping them diagonally to get full coverage, and then twisting the ends to seal them.

More Ways to Use this Caramel Recipe

Homemade caramels can be used in several different ways! Double your batch to make a few other delicious treats. Try another way to enjoy this caramel recipe.

Caramel Apples- Place cold apples on a candy stick and dip into the caramel while it is still hot. Place on wax paper and allow to cool. If the caramel mixture is too thin, allow it to cool for another minute before dipping again. Chocolate Dipped Caramels – After caramels have cooled, dip in melted chocolate and allow to harden. Wrap and refrigerate.Dipped Caramel Pretzel Bites– Place a homemade caramel between two pretzels and dip in chocolate. These are a HUGE crowd pleaser!Caramel sauce – Remove the caramel mixture from the saucepan before it reaches the soft ball stage, and you’ll have one of the most delicious sauces for ice cream.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mom’s Homemade Caramels

READ MORE:25+ Christmas Dessert Ideas

Christmas Treat Recipes

We LOVE all the candy recipes around Christmastime, especially our unique recipes like our Christmas Charcuterie or our Chocolate Orange Cookies. Here are more of our favorites:

How to Make Homemade Caramels

Divinity Candy with Peanuts

Chocolate Covered Cherries

Peppermint Bark

See’s Fudge Recipe

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