Homemade caramels from scratch, for a fun homemade holiday gift-giving! Surprisingly easy with one special tool!
I'm on a homemade candy bender.
It really freaks people out when you make homemade candy. I get a million questions about how this sweet treat they thought could only be bought in a store came out of my kitchen. Last week, when someone tasted my homemade marshmallows, they asked if I bought the round marshmallows at the store and melted them down to cut into squares. He was 100% serious.
When I picked my jaw off the floor, I went on a homemade candy mission. I want to make small batches of your favorite candy all day! Did you see my homemade apple cider caramels? <--Love those!
The only thing you need to make homemade caramels is a candy thermometer. I have one of those clip-on candy thermometers, but I also really love this one with the thermometer inside the spatula! Either will work for this recipe.
For homemade chewy, sticky, creamy BEST EVER caramels, you just have to be able to boil a mixture. Twice. To two different temperatures. I think we can handle that, yes?
Homemade caramels recipe, plus variations.
When you make your own homemade caramels, you no longer have to ask a Trader Joe's employee if they could give you all of the boxes of fleur de sel caramels they have in stock and a bigger shopping cart. (Guilty).
I want to try making all sorts of flavored caramels now. Even if you leave the vanilla out of the batch (like I did the first time), the caramels still taste great. I've got my eye on apple cider caramels next. I'm not from a state with abundant apples, so I'm not well versed in apple treats, but I want to be! Would you believe I've never had a proper apple cider donut? I'm on a mission!
Please, friends, be careful when making these caramels. Boiling things are, um, hot. Don't burn yourself. When the sugar gets to the right temperature, move quickly but skillfully. And please, whatever you do, do not scrape the pan! You will burn your fingers!
Use both hands to steady the pot of boiling hot stuff, and then be done with it. Let the caramels cool a few hours, or overnight (uncovered).
A small batch of homemade caramels with just 5 ingredients. Optional sea salt sprinkle on top!Homemade Caramels
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
20
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 66Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 30mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 0g
janelle says
I love this so much. Caramels are a favorite of mine.
Jessica L. says
PLEASE adapt Smitten Kitchen's apple cider caramels (http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2012/10/apple-cider-caramels-the-book-is-here/) to a small batch version. I've made them probably 10 times, and while I absolutely adore them, the recipe just makes so freakin' many. And yes, I know I could just cut it in half myself, but I just have never experimented with it!
I just made a recipe for baked apple cider donuts for a blog I write for, and while they definitely aren't as good as the fried version (because let's be honest, fried donuts are always better than baked), they're a pretty darn good substitute!
Christina Lane says
Your wish is my command, Jessica! I'm all over apple cider caramels this week like white on rice! :)
Can you link me to your baked apple cider donuts recipe? I'd love to try it out :)
Jessica L. says
YES! can't wait to see your recipe. and sure thing! here you go: http://www.lydiamag.com/fall-feast-apple-cider-doughnuts/
Aimee @ Simple Bites says
Homemade caramels are the best!! I'm addicted to the eggnog version come Christmas time.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
homemade candy is the best . . I should make some more often. . but then that's all my kids want to eat. . and me too. . :P love these caramels. . what about chocolate truffles? jelly beans or lollipops?
EMily says
I'm a total sucker for caramels especially homemade!
Mariana @The Candid Kitchen says
These are definitely on my to do list, need to go and get me a thermometer then!
Christinem says
I would love to see a small batch of peanut brittle! My mom makes a batch but it is for a large crowd!!! lol
Julia @ Sprinkled With Jules says
I laughed out loud when I read what someone asked about your marshmallows! It's funny how we don't think about how so many things are made that we eat! And how easy some of them really can be. I need to try some of these! And I've never had an apple cider donut either :(
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I'll admit candy making scares the crap out of me. You make it look easy though :)
Matea says
Impressive! It must make a great gift during Christmas!