Description
This quick and easy Ten Minute Microwave Caramels recipe delivers rich, buttery, and chewy caramels in a fraction of the time traditional stovetop methods take. Made with simple pantry ingredients like butter, corn syrup, sugars, and sweetened condensed milk, these homemade caramels are perfect for gift-giving or satisfying your sweet tooth without a lengthy wait.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramel Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Butter an 8-inch square pan or a 9×5-inch loaf pan for thicker caramels. Optionally, line the pan with foil and butter the foil to make caramel removal easier once set.
- Melt the Butter: Place the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for about 1 minute until fully melted.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the light corn syrup, light brown sugar, white sugar, and sweetened condensed milk into the melted butter. Mix well until the sugars begin to dissolve.
- First Microwave Session: Microwave the mixture on high for 3 minutes and 5–15 seconds. Remove and stir thoroughly, scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure even cooking.
- Second Microwave Session: Return the mixture to the microwave and cook for another 3 minutes and 5–15 seconds on high. After cooking, stir in the vanilla extract to add flavor.
- Set the Caramels: Pour the hot caramel mixture into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula or spoon.
- Cool and Cut: Let the caramels cool and set at room temperature for several hours until firm. Once set, cut into squares and wrap individually in waxed paper for storage or gifting.
Notes
- For easier removal and cleaner cuts, lining the pan with foil before buttering is highly recommended.
- Microwave ovens vary in power; adjust timing slightly if your caramels are too soft or too hard.
- Store caramels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
- Wrap individual caramels in waxed paper to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.
