Microwave Caramels – the easiest Christmas candy recipe ever! These caramels are so delicious and so simple to make.
I love making holiday treats, but I’ve always been a little intimidated when it comes to candy making. I especially enjoy caramels at Christmas, but after a few failed attempts at making them, I gave up. That was, until a few years ago, when I discovered a delicious and simple recipe for microwave caramels! We just made a batch of these today and they turned out perfect, just like they do every time.
- 1 c. butter
- 2½ cups packed brown sugar
- 1 cup light karo corn syrup
- 1 – 14oz can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Generously butter a 9×13 inch pan and set aside.
- In a large microwave safe bowl melt butter.
- Add all the remaining ingredients except the vanilla and mix well.
- Microwave on full power for 4-5 minutes.
- Remove from microwave and whisk.
- Microwave on high for another 4-5 minutes.
- Whisk again. Microwave an additional 4-5 minutes.
- Whisk while adding the vanilla.
- Pour the caramel mixture into the 9×13 inch pan.
- Let cool for 1 – 2 hours.
- Using a knife, cut into bite size portions and wrap in wax paper.
- Keep refrigerated.
Like I said, they’ve turn out perfectly for me every time!! It always surprises me when they do, given my track record with making these tasty treats. I think the trick is to take them out of the microwave and stir thoroughly every 4-5 minutes.
If I can make them, then you know this has to be a foolproof recipe! Take it from me, a candy making novice, these caramels are easy and delicious!
To package the caramels wrap in wax paper and twist the ends to seal. I found these precut waxed twist papers and they make it so easy!
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Looks great! Easy and yummy 🙂
wow–I had no idea you could make caramels in a microwave! pinning– my kids would love to try this!
They’re so easy Gretchen! Enjoy! 🙂
I’ve made a lot of microwave caramel sauce, but never caramels! This will be terrific for the holidays!!!
I made these caramels a few months ago. they tasted really good. I just would have cooked them a little longer.
And you can. Just keep cooking them. Maybe instead of 4 or 5 min, after they start darkening, you could cook them say 3 or 4 min. I had cooked caramels on the stove top and got sick during stiring constantly. I poured them in the Pan and sat it in the fridge. Later I realized they didn’t cook long enough. I poured them in a bowl and cooked them more in the microwave. 2, 5 minute cycles and they were finally finished. They are delicious, now!
Looks delish! (and easy….I will have to try this!)
But wondering if all caramels are supposed to be refrigerated? Maybe mine don’t stick around long enough….Would love to give for gifts but the refrigeration part might be a problem…hum
I am so excited to make these! My husband will be so surprised. One question, can a hand mixer be used instead of whisking? I have some arthritis and would be easier for me to use a hand mixer vs a whisk. Thanks!
do they need to stay refrigerated after wrapped as well?
I wanted to mail some of these to my dad for Father’s Day. If I chilled them after I wrapped them first do you think that would be ok)
I have a 700 watt microwave and had to cook this recipe a LOT longer. When cooked according to the above recipe I had to scrape them out of the pan once cooled and start recooking. They need to be to a firm ball stage (google that) or 245-250 on your candy thermometer. They will be a rich caramel color.
All microwaves are not created equal. However, yummy and wrapped easily once cooked long enough.
I’m so glad I read your cmment. I have a 700 watt too and it took forever on my candy thermometer to get to the soft ball stage
These were so unbelievably easy, fast, and so delicious. Thank you for the new Christmas treat.
Is there any way to make these so no refrigeration is required? I made them last week and if they sat out on the counter they were more like a Caramel sauce than candy. Just wondering if I should microwave them longer?
The longer you cook them the harder the candy will get.
I made these last night. Tasty tasty but needed to cook for less time. They ended up rock hard, couldnt cut them unless mixture was hot- burnt my hand. So the ones i could cut are more like toffees than caramel. Might be my 1100watt microwave. Was so disappointed.
Simple and delicious! Cook them a minute or two longer to make them set up better and have that gooey caramel texture when pulled apart.
Thank you for a great recipe, stacey
What is your microwave wattage?
Whan I made the caramels it turned out very wall but do you have to refrigerate the candy.
Yes. 🙂
How long do they keep?
For those of you with the 700watt microwave, how long did you have to cook them for? I don’t have a candy thermometer or even a regular cooking one lol