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
Marie @ Little Kitchie says
This just makes me want caramels and think of Friends and Monica's homemade candy... and both make me oh so happy! These are perfection!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
haha... I would totally be that person to ask the trader joes go for all the boxes of caramels.... but not any more. What you ask? Because you rock and gave me a super easy recipe so I can make my own!
Can't wait to make... then eat!
Jess @ Sweet Menu says
Caramels are one of my all-time favourite treats - loving these! Thank you for the recipe!
Chichi says
i love homemade caramel. Brings back childhood memories
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Homemade caramels are the best! Yours look perfect!
Sharana @ Living THe Sweet Life Blog says
I've always wanted to try making my own candy, but i'm waaaayyy to much for a chicken. I think I may have to just suck it up, and give it a try :)
Heather at Basilmomma says
I love this! You make it look so easy so I think I can handle this recipe :)
Plus- I love your knife!
EG says
I've got to try caramels. Thanks for the recipe. I've never made them before. I've made candy coal, peanut brittle & English toffee. The toffee is hard, but worth the effort. So yummy.
Beth @ bethcakes says
These look so perfect! Making candy at home does scare me a little, but I think having these caramels to snack on would be worth it. :)
Diane Z. says
I can't wait to try these...well, after we're past the heat we're currently having. As long as you're taking requests, could you find a good taffy recipe? Many, many thanks.