This soft and chewy homemade caramel candy recipe are a treat you’ll reach for again and again. This easy candy recipe is perfect for gifting to friends and family!
Need more candy recipes? A few favorites include rocky road candy, chocolate fudge and buckeyes!
Table of Contents
Homemade Soft Caramel Candy
I particularly have a soft spot for anything caramel-flavored, like these Rolo cookies, my chocolate fudge caramel brownies or my homemade Twix bars.
I can still remember the first time I had a homemade caramel candy. I was hooked and have been making these soft, buttery homemade caramels ever since!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect texture: This caramel candy recipe has incredible flavor that is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It’s buttery, chewy and the best soft caramel!
- Easy to make: The best caramels take a little patience but the ingredients and steps are easy to follow. For an even easier option, though, make these microwave caramels!
Ingredients
Making homemade caramel candy does take a bit of time, but the ingredient list is relatively short and simple.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Sugar. Make sure to use white sugar for this recipe. If you use light brown sugar, you’ll end up with butterscotch, not caramel!
- Corn syrup. Although some people say you can use either dark or light corn syrup, I prefer to use the light syrup. It has a more mellow flavor, whereas the dark one has a molasses taste.
- Salt. Any type of salt should work fine. However, I am a little partial to sea salt, especially with caramel!
- Butter. This helps give the caramel that warm, rich flavor. Make sure to use salted butter. I like to add it when it’s room temperature.
- Heavy whipping cream. Heavy cream is best for a homemade caramel recipe. You can find this in the refrigerated dairy section, next to the half and half.
- Vanilla extract. If you have been hoarding away your really good vanilla extract, use it for these homemade soft caramels! You don’t need a lot (1 tsp), but it’ll go a long way.
How to Make Homemade Caramel Candy
Start by adding sugar, syrup and salt in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until mixture is boiling and sugar crystals have dissolved completely. Slowly mix in the cream and keep stirring (don’t let it stop boiling).
Then mix in the butter and stir it into the mixture. Keep mixture at a boil for about 15-20 minutes, stirring constantly.
Keep a close eye on the temperature to see when it reaches the soft ball stage. Once it reaches 245°F immediately remove caramel sauce from heat and pour into a buttered 9×13″ baking dish.
Allow the caramel to sit on the counter until it hardens (preferably overnight). Once the caramel candy has set, use a buttered or plastic or sharp knife and begin cutting. For a rectangular shape, cut into 12 vertical rows and then cut 4 caramels from each row.
Using wax paper, candy wrappers or cellophane, cut into 3×6-inch squares and wrap each piece of caramel candy inside similar to a tootsie roll.
Homemade Caramels Tips
- Be generous when buttering your pan. The last thing you want is to finish the recipe and have half of your caramels stuck to the baking dish!
- Stir continually. You will definitely get your arm workout in while you make this recipe! It’s important to stir constantly so your caramel doesn’t burn or get stuck to the pan.
- Have a candy thermometer on hand. You want the mix to get to 245 degrees f before it’s removed from heat. Don’t let it get any hotter than this or it will burn!
- Test to see if the caramel is done. Even with a candy thermometer on hand, you’ll want to make sure the soft caramel mixture is ready. Scoop out a teaspoon of the mixture from the pan, then drop it into a glass of ice water. If it forms a soft ball, it’s done. If not, keep it on the heat for another minute or so, then do cold water test again.
- Optional topping: After your caramel candy has set for 20-30 minutes sprinkle with flakey sea salt then let set completely. After caramels have set completely, you could also drizzle with chocolate if desired.
Other must make holiday treats are this homemade hard candy, peanut brittle and this recipe for Christmas crack!
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Caramel Candy Recipe
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups light Karo syrup
- ¼ teaspoon table or fine salt
- 2 cups (1 pint) heavy whipping cream , at room temperature
- ½ cup salted butter , cubed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prep. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or generously butter and set aside so it is ready. Fill a small glass with ice water.
- Combine ingredients. In a large, stainless steel pot, whisk together 2 cups sugar, 2 cups Karo syrup, and 1/4 teaspoon salt over medium-high heat until bubbling and the sugar has dissolved. In a very slow trickle, whisk in 2 cups cream, being careful not to stop boiling. Whisk in 1/2 cup butter.
- Boil. Whisking constantly, keep the mixture at a boil 15 to 20 minutes, or until the temperature on a candy thermometer reads 240°F to 245°F (firm ball stage). To be certain the caramel is ready, drizzle 1 teaspoon into the ice water. Roll it between your fingers and if it forms a firm (yet pliable and little sticky) ball, it’s ready. If it’s still liquid, keep boiling and whisking.
- Set overnight. Immediately remove from heat and whisk in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Then pour into the baking dish. Don't let it overcook or the caramels will be too hard. Let sit on the counter to cool and until set. Usually, I will make in the evening and let sit overnight.
- Cut and wrap. Once set, use a buttered or plastic knife to cut into 12 vertical rows, Cut 4 caramels from each row. Cut wax paper into 3×6-inch squares and then wrap the caramel inside. Caramels will stay soft for 2 to 3 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
FAQs
If you overcook the caramels or the pan gets too hot, they can become hard. Keep a close eye on the caramel to make sure it doesn’t burn or overcook.
Make sure to wrap the homemade caramels in wax paper and store them in a covered container.
If your caramels become too hard, you can try placing them back in the saucepan and add a few Tablespoons of water and stir until the temperature reads 244°F.
If they are too soft, then the mixture didn’t get hot enough. Place the mixture back in the saucepan with a 2 Tablespoons of water and cook until it reach 244°F.
Wrapped caramels will stay soft in a covered containers at room temperature for about 2 weeks.
Categorized as: American, Candy + Fudge, Christmas, Desserts, No-Bake, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
These turned out great! We love them!
So easy and yummy but do you ever add nuts? When and do they stick to the paper whichever kind you use? Like adding crushed nuts to them by rolling the carmels in them.
Absolutely delicious!
Made these last nite, and Pre-taste these are outstanding for flavor.
So delicious!!
OK last question promise. How long can you store them for? I want to make them for chirstmas just not sure how far ahead of time I can do this.
thanks!!
Erin
My church makes soft caramels every year with a similar recipe to this one. We cook ours to 240 degrees on Mondays, then cut, wrap, & pack them on Wednesdays. As long as you leave them refrigerated, they will keep for a long time. I had a box in my fridge for over 2 yrs & they tasted just fine. Don’t let them warm up, get cold, warm up because that will cause the sugar to crystallize and they will become gritty. We make over 1000 lbs every year & store them all in the fridge.
one more question, where did u get the wrappers from???
I actually bought a cellophane bag at Joann’s and cut it up into squares. Haha I’m sure there are a lot easier methods out there, but that’s what I did! :)
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BE STILL MY HEART! Caramels are my most favorite thing in the world, second to chocolate anything. These are fabulous.
hi there! Just wondering if you could use any kind of substitute for corn syrup? I’d love to make this without it…
I think I’ll try to make this and if they turn out great…i’ll def do them for christmas
Yummy! Those are amazing.
These are so good! I’m loving all the recipes you’re posting.
Oh yum..give me all of it! Thank you so much for sharing your amazing cooking sweet talents with us! They are so yummy!
Great post!! I love caramels but I don’t like the way they stick in my teeth. But these look like they are soft….I am definitely going to keep this recipe. I may be able to go back to eating and enjoying caramel…..thank you for sharing.
Oh my those look tasty! I really need to remember to buy a candy thermometer next time I’m at the store so I can make these!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Roughly how long would you say it took you to make a batch of caramels (not including the 12+ hours of cooling time.). I really want to make these but want to make sure I have enough time. They sound delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Great question Emily! It took me a good hour and a half to do all of it. The mixing it together part isn’t bad, it’s the getting it to the right temperature part that took a lot of time. Hang in there though! They’re fantastic :)
Just a question about the recipe. it says just ‘vanilla’ I assume that’s vanilla extract, but i wanted to clarify its not vanilla bean or vanilla paste or some such. Looks great, defiantly going to try i out!
Hey Erin! Yes, it is just vanilla extract. I’m sorry for the confusion! If you want, you could even leave the vanilla extract out for a more caramel-y flavor or my mom likes to use Mexican vanilla as well. Good luck making them and I’d love to know how they turn out!!