It is my birthday today! And I made myself a treat. These caramels are seriously the best I have EVER had in my whole life. It is my mom’s recipe that she had been using for the past 40 years. Talk about tried and true!
I remember as a child I would sit at the table while my mom cut up the caramels. My job was to cut the wax paper into squares. My mom would pass me a caramel every once in awhile. She always made them this time of year and especially at Christmas. They not only remind me of my childhood, but they are to die for YUMMY!
Here is her recipe:
2 cubes of Butter (1 cup) I like to use salted
2 cups of Sugar
1 1/2 cups Light Corn Syrup
2 14oz cans of Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Directions:
Before you get started get a bowl of ice water ready and set next to the stove.
In a large heavy bottom saucepan melt the butter. Add the sugar, corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk. Stir constantly on medium high heat until it comes to a rolling boil. Turn down heat to medium. Continue to stir constantly to avoid scorching. If it does start to scorch, turn the heat down a little. Stir until it starts to get a little darker. Check to see if it is done by spooning a little of the caramel into a bowl of ice water. Continue to check the caramel until it is the consistency you want. When it is right, remove from heat and add the vanilla. Pour into a greased pan. I use a cookie sheet. Let completely cool before cutting and eating. It takes a few hours for it to completely cool and set up. The longer you wait the better. I usually make it at night so I don’t get interrupted by kids while stirring and then it is ready and firm by morning.
The other thing I like about this recipe is you can use it to make caramel popcorn as well. Just cook it for less time so it is softer. It is soooo good!
Pin it for later!
Karen@RestyledVintage says
October 4, 2012 at 4:58 amHappy Birthday!
The caramels sound yummy and I would love to make them but I have no idea how much a cube of butter is, can you give me the quantity in weight please? And what size are your cans of condensed milk?
Hoping I can find corn syrup…I am in Australia:)
xx Karen
Stacy says
October 4, 2012 at 9:10 amI am so sorry I didn’t consider you sweet international friends! Thanks for pointing it out. I have changed it in the post. I obviously am not used to posting recipes :P
Pam the Goatherd says
October 5, 2012 at 11:33 amMake sure you use SWEETENED condensed milk, not the evaporated milk that doesn’t have sugar in it!
If you can’t find corn syrup you can make a substitute by making a simple syrup using 2 parts sugar to 1 part water. If you use 2 cups sugar and 1 cup water that should give you plenty of syrup for the caramel recipe with a little bit left over. To make simple syrup put the sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil while stirring to avoid burning the bottom. When all the sugar is dissolved your syrup is done. You can store the syrup in a jar indefinitely.
veronica says
October 4, 2012 at 5:32 amHappy Birthday! My grandmother used to make caramels like this, but she passed away before I could learn her recipe and how she made them. I will have to give this recipe a try :) Thanks for sharing it!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says
October 4, 2012 at 6:26 amHappy Birthday Stacy! Your caramels look absolutely delicious. Can’t wait to give them a try!
Megan says
October 4, 2012 at 6:32 amThese look amazing!
Alexis says
October 4, 2012 at 7:51 amHappy Birthday. I pinned the caramel recipe – definitely a must within the next few months. They look delicious. I’ve got two girls who’ll love to cut up the squares of wax paper for me :) Hope you have a wonderful Birthday!
Jacque @theDIYvillage says
October 4, 2012 at 7:52 amHAppy BIRTHDAY!!! Thanks for sharing this i cannot wait to try this recipe!! Im a sucker for anything caramel!
Diane says
October 4, 2012 at 7:59 amHappy Birthday! I have always wanted to make caramels. Homemade are the best. I would love you to share at my linky party The Gathering Spot. Can’t wait to make these!!! http://mamaldiane.com/the-gathering-spot-23/
Karen Whitney says
October 4, 2012 at 8:05 amYum! Happy Birthday! I hope you have a super-terrific day :)
Laura @ Laura's Crafty Life says
October 4, 2012 at 9:57 amHappy Birthday! :)
Meg says
October 4, 2012 at 10:30 amHappy Birthday Stacy! Thanks for your fabulous site! I cannot wait to try your caramel recipe!! Have a wonderful day!!
Meg @ Finding Butterfly Happiness says
October 4, 2012 at 10:41 amHope you have a truly wonderful birthday! Thanks for the delicious recipe to try!
Heather says
October 4, 2012 at 11:10 amHappy birthday, How do you tell if they are the right consistency in the water? What does that do?
Pam the Goatherd says
October 5, 2012 at 11:37 amThe cold water makes the candy firm up instantly. When you drop a bit of the caramel stuff into the ice water if it dissolves you know it isn’t done yet. When it holds it’s shape as a glob when you drop it into the ice water you know it’s done and time to pour into the greased pan.
Tanya says
October 4, 2012 at 11:59 amHappy Birthday Stacy!!! Have a fabulous da :)
xoxo, Tanya
Bobbi Jo Nichols says
October 4, 2012 at 12:09 pmHappy Birthday Stacy! Wishing you an amazing, fun and love filled day. Hugs, Bobbi Jo
p.s. Thanks for the recipe share!
sherry says
October 4, 2012 at 1:41 pmI absolutely love caramel, it’s one of my favorite candies. I remember I use to buy them and hide them when I was small; never wanted to share ;) Thanks for this yummy recipe. Hope you have a fantastic B’day!
Emily says
October 4, 2012 at 3:04 pmI have a fear of any sort of candy making but I will give these a shot. They look so yummy!
Lydia says
October 4, 2012 at 3:36 pmHi Stacy! Happy birthday! Looks delicious. Do you let them cool in the refrigerator or on the counter? Or does it matter?
Thanks!
Anna says
October 4, 2012 at 3:54 pmHi Stacey:
Happy birthday to you. Looks delicious. Shall definitely make it.
I also wanted you to know that I started a blog and posted my third post today. If you would like to check it out it is at truthgraceandlife.blogspot.com
Blessings to you,
Anna
Jessica says
October 4, 2012 at 4:03 pmHappy birthday!!! Do you think I could add sea salt to the top after it’s poured into the cookie sheet?
Have you made the condensed milk caramel dip?
Carrie says
October 4, 2012 at 4:29 pmHappy Birthday! Thanks for sharing your sweet treat. I’ll have to try this one.
Noreen says
October 4, 2012 at 6:45 pmHappy Birthday, Stacy! Of course, even though your Mom has been making those caramels for 40 years, you’ve only been around for the last 20! Right? Have a great day!
Michelle says
October 4, 2012 at 9:02 pmYummy! Can’t wait to try these out!
Carmella says
October 4, 2012 at 9:41 pmI can’t wait to try this! Thank you so much for sharing! And…..Happy, Happy Birthday to you!!
JennyLynn says
October 5, 2012 at 5:40 amMy husband has been begging for a good caramel to go on popcorn. Since we are having a Halloween party at our house for a bunch to tweens it will be the perfect time to try out your recipe.
judy chadwick says
October 5, 2012 at 6:06 amwhat is the right consistency for these caramels,like soft boil or hard boil stage.
Nanalie Knotts says
October 5, 2012 at 7:40 amAllow me to testify, that these carmels ARE to DIE FOR!!! Thank you Stacy for sharing them with me. I gave each family member ONE and took the rest to my secret hiding place! I will nibble on them when the house is quiet and I am ALONE!
NUMMYLICIOUS!
Pam the Goatherd says
October 5, 2012 at 11:42 amHappy Birthday a day late, Stacy!
I make caramel sauce from my goat’s milk. Takes about six hours to simmer down a couple gallons of milk into a couple quarts of caramel dipping sauce for apples or for pouring over ice cream. The stuff around the edges gets thick enough to be candy. That’s my treat for standing over the stove stirring and steaming for all that time!
Traci says
October 5, 2012 at 12:14 pmOh my! These look amazing, Stacy! What wonderful memories!
Christy W. says
October 5, 2012 at 1:03 pmCaramel is lock-step in time with chocolate for one of my favorite treats. This recipe looks fantastic. I’ll be trying it out with my budding young chef this weekend. My girl is 13 and loves to bake; this will be fun! Thank you so much for sharing!
Kimberly says
October 5, 2012 at 6:17 pmThese sound amazing! i was thinking they would be great with my Christmas baking plates that I make for friends. How far ahead can you make them? What’s the best way to store them?
Thanks for the recipe!!
Kimberly says
October 5, 2012 at 8:00 pmThanks, I’m looking forward to making the recipe!
Jess says
October 9, 2012 at 10:41 amI’m late to the party, but I wanted to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope it was a great day!
These look delicious! I may just have to try them.
patty says
October 9, 2012 at 12:11 pmHappy birthday! Thanks for the recipe! I had a co-worker who use to make the best carmels at Xmas, but I never got the recipe. Now I can make my own and eat them when ever I want! I plan on making these after I get back from a wedding in early December. Until then I am on the diet, but Dec. 4 watch out – it will be carmel making time!
Maria Hart says
December 9, 2013 at 1:29 amLooks like I have most of the items needed to make some Stacy Caramels! Thank you for your mom’s recipe!
I found you through http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2013/12/homemade-old-fashioned-caramels.html
Merry Christmas.
Lori says
December 12, 2013 at 12:56 pmWhat size cookie sheet is best to use?
Tammy Doiel @creativekkids.com says
December 13, 2013 at 8:48 amI found you through thepinjunkie,and I pinned this from here. They look so good. I also host a pinterest party on Mondays where everything you link up gets pinned! I would love to see you there!
Deb says
January 9, 2014 at 6:06 pmI found these are better than you can buy, AND just wrap them in cupcake papers! No stick, no cutting!!!!
Tim says
January 29, 2014 at 3:08 pmI started making caramels for Christmas 2 years ago and plan on making them for every Christmas. I do however sprinkle a small amount of course sea salt on them before wrapping them in wax paper. Sweet and salty! Yum!
patsy says
September 24, 2014 at 9:38 amthanks for your help,can the cararmel on apples?
marlene says
October 4, 2014 at 11:43 amhow do I print out the caramels recipe? thank you
NancyAnn Rhinehart says
November 29, 2014 at 3:08 pmI’m a Caramel lover from way back, especially caramel apples! This would be fantastic but a bit dangerous for my diet.
a soon to be favorite aunt says
December 12, 2015 at 2:17 amMy youngest nephew has been wanting my Mom’s caramels and since she has recently passed away and for the longest time didn’t have the strength to make them.
So I know what he’s getting in his box from me.