Soft and Chewy Homemade Caramel Candy
A straightforward recipe for making classic, soft, and chewy caramel candies from scratch, perfect for eating or gifting.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 190 min
- Yield: About 40 pieces
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper, letting the paper overhang the sides for easy removal. Lightly grease the paper.
- Combine the sugar, corn syrup, heavy cream, and butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
- Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves.
- Stop stirring once the mixture boils. Insert a candy thermometer.
- Cook the mixture without stirring until it reaches 245 degrees Fahrenheit (soft-ball stage). This usually takes 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat immediately. Carefully stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
- Pour the hot caramel mixture into the prepared pan. Do not scrape the sides of the pan.
- Let the caramel cool completely at room temperature for at least 3 hours, or until firm.
- Once firm, lift the caramel out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang.
- Cut the block into small squares. Wrap each square individually in wax paper or cellophane for storage.
Notes
- For a thicker caramel sauce, reduce the cooking time to 235 degrees Fahrenheit before removing from heat.
- If the caramel hardens too quickly, you can briefly reheat it on low heat until pliable enough to cut.
- Use high-quality butter for the best flavor in your homemade caramel.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 105
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 30
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 15
