A few weeks ago, Jeff & I were talking about traditions and he remembered homemade caramels as a special Christmas time treat. Given my limited talent in the kitchen, I wasn’t sure if I could pull off Homemade Caramels or not.

Let’s make some sweet homemade caramel

The first batch didn’t turn out well. I didn’t have a candy thermometer, so getting the caramel to the proper temperature was a guess…and I didn’t guess so well! While it tasted really good, it was way too soft and had to be dumped. I guess we could have used it for a caramel topping of some sort, but it was just easier to start all over in this case.

After getting a candy thermometer, and giving it a second try, we were really pleased with the results. I was most pleased, though, that Jeff loved them! Check out our yummy recipe & enjoy!

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Ingredients for Sweet Homemade Caramel REcipe

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 lb. light brown sugar
• dash salt
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

HOmemade Caramel Recipe instructions

Step 1

Melt butter in a heavy saucepan. Add brown sugar & salt. Stir until thoroughly combined.

Step 2

Stir in corn syrup & mix well.

Step 3

Gradually add milk, stirring constantly.

Step 4

Cook & stir over medium heat until candy reaches firm ball stage (245 on a candy thermometer). This will take about 45 minutes. Make sure you stir constantly so the cooking candy doesn’t burn.

Step 5

Remove from heat & stir in vanilla.

Step 6

Pour into a buttered or heavy-duty foil-lined 9-inch square pan. Cool in the fridge & cut into squares.

Step 7

Wrap the caramel in candy wrappers, store in a cool dry jar or gobble them up right away!

Fun variations to do with this easy caramel recipe

We also made some Turtles with caramel. Lay 4 pecans on parchment paper (turtle’s legs) so that they touch in the center of the Turtle. Pour a tablespoon of caramel in the center, top with melted chocolate & let cool!

Have you tried making this easy homemade caramel recipe? How did it turn out? Share your story in the comments!