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Soft & Chewy Homemade Vanilla Caramels

Soft, Chewy, Creamy and addicting Candies
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Candy, Caramels, Holiday Treats
Servings: 60 Caramels
Author: Chels

Ingredients

  • 3 Cups Sugar
  • 2 Cups White Corn Syrup
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 7 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk 1/2 Can
  • 3 Cups Whipping Cream
  • 1-2 tsp Vanilla
  • 1-2 Cups Chopped Nuts * optional

Instructions

  • Butter a 9x13 pan and set aside.
  • Combine sugar, corn syrup and salt together in a deep, heavy bottomed pan. Cook on medium high heat, and stir frequently until mixture begins to boil. Place lid on top of pan and leave in place for 2 minutes. Remove lid and use a silicone spatula to scrape down the sides of the pan. Continue cooking until color starts to change to yellow. (This takes about 14-15 minutes when cooking at 8 on an induction burner, your time will vary)
  • Turn down heat to about a 6 (medium heat) and add cream mixture in a stream while stirring frequently. Continue to stir and increase heat up to a 7 (medium high heat). Put your candy thermometer in your pan.
  • Continue cooking while stirring frequently until medium or firm ball. (232° Fahrenheit, or 222° in high altitude)
  • Turn off the heat and stir in your vanilla. Then if desired stir in your nuts.
  • Pour into your prepared pan and let rest, covered in a cool place for at least 6 hours. Or overnight.
  • Cut and wrap in waxed paper, plastic wrap or parchment. Place in an airtight container.
  • Will keep 6-9 months if stored in an airtight container away from heat and light.

Notes

*For safety, wear long sleeves and use oven mitts when stirring in the cream mixture.
*If you like your caramels darker you can wait until your sugar mixture turns a darker shade of yellow before adding your cream. The more you let the sugar mixture change, the deeper caramel flavor you will achieve. It changes quickly, so I suggest you add it as soon as the color starts to change for lighter, more vanilla flavored caramels.
*Caramel will continue to cook as it sits in the pan. Once you have reached your desired temperature, remove to prepared pan as quickly as possible to avoid overcooking the sugar mixture.