Microwave caramels are so rich and creamy. You will be so impressed, and so will everyone that tastes them. They are fast and easy! They melt in your mouth and you might just want to hide them (or have someone else hide them) so that you don’t eat too many. Or you may want to hide some so that you will get some, as I promise you that they will disappear fast.
I gave some of these to my friend the other day and she asked me for the recipe. She told me that she had never felt so loved. Ha ha. I thought, if you only knew how easy microwave caramels are to make, she would be thinking differently. I think the hardest part of making microwave caramels is the wrapping them all up.
No, I am not telling you to eat all of them so that you do not have to wrap them, I am just saying that they are pretty easy to make. Microwave caramels turn out soft, chewy, and yummy. They could become a favorite recipe for your family to make.
Do I Need A Candy Thermometer to Make Microwave Caramels?
- No, you don’t need a candy thermometer for this recipe.
- That is one of the reasons that this recipe is so easy.
What are some of the traditions that you do in your family? We use to do the opening of one gift on Christmas Eve, but as my kids have gotten older, they do not need a new pair of pajamas every year. And my boys wear basketball shorts and t-shirts to bed. I sometimes get them new shorts, but we do not need any new t-shirts.
Then there is the Christmas ornament that we would buy them every year. One that told a story about them or something that was special to them throughout the year. For example if they learned to drive, we could buy them a car ornament.
What Ingredients Do I Need For Microwave Caramels?
Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need to make this candy (scroll down for the full recipe):
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Light Karo syrup
- Sugar
What Ingredients Do I Need For Microwave Caramels?
- In a large microwave proof bowl, melt butter on 5 percent power. I use a glass bowl that holds 12 cups.
- Add the brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, Karo syrup, and white sugar. Stir the ingredients together.
- Cook for 7 minutes on high.
- Take out and stir well.
- Cook another 7 minutes on high.
- Stir again, making sure that it is nice and smooth.
- Pour into a buttered 9″ x 13″ pan.
- One important thing to do is to stir the caramel very well every time you take them out.
- Make sure you use real butter, not margarine or spreads.
- Let cool in the pan.
- Cut into small squares, wrap in wax paper and store in a air tight container.
Another thing, is that when our kids move out, they have their own traditions. However, as we look at some of the old toys that my kids use to play with, they are a joy to have around. I know that the kids have toys that they like to buy their kids, but it is fun for them to have something to do when they come to grandma’s.
However, I feel like we have way too many toys, and it is fun to see some of the new things that they come out with. Plus, the kids now a days are so into electronics, they do not seem to want to play with the toys so much.
Even my 2 year old grandson, is pretty good at finding what he wants to watch on OOOh Tube! He is so funny, he loves watching ” Old Mac Donald and Cars”. And sometimes when mom or grandma, wants to get something done, we let him watch for a minute or two.
How Do I Store Microwave Caramels?
- Let caramels sit until completely cooled.
- They will firm up as they cool.
- Once caramels are cooled, you can cut them into pieces and wrap them in small pieces of wax paper.
- Wrap up each piece of caramel and then twist the ends of the waxed paper to secure.
- Caramels should be wrapped in wax paper, and then stored in a sealed zip lock plastic bag with the air removed.
How Long Will Caramels Last?
- If caramels are properly stored, they will last 3-4 weeks.
- They should be well wrapped individually and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I Freeze Microwave Caramels?
- Caramels freeze very well – just place the individually wrapped caramels in an airtight freezer bag.
- If they are wrapped properly, they should be good for up to 6 months.
Try making microwave caramels for Christmas. They are a nice neighbor gift, or they look great in a cute little jar for a friend. There are only 5 ingredients, but they mix so well together. Yum. The most important thing is to make sure you mix them very well. Also clean down the sides of the bowl so that the sugar doesn’t cause them to go sugary. Just use a scraper.
So one night before Christmas, I hope that you will take a minute and make some family traditions for you and your family. Just do not let them eat too many microwave caramels before they go to bed, or they just might be up a little longer. They are a little sweet.
Enjoy! I know that you will, so go ahead and make a batch, take a few to a neighbor or someone that is in need of a pick me up. They also can be a great white elephant even though they are not white. But the person that gets them will be elated.
Tips and Tricks For Microwave Caramels:
- The bowl that I use holds 12 cups, so it is a very large bowl.
- Sometimes if there is a lot of sugar on the sides, I will use a wet rag to clean the sides so that the sugar doesn’t make the caramels go sugary.
- For a change you could add some pecans or some almonds.
More Delicious Candy Recipes For You:
Microwave Caramels
Microwave caramels are so rich and creamy. You will not believe how easy these carmels are to make and they just melt in your mouth!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup light Karo syrup
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- In a large microwave proof bowl, melt butter on 5 percent power. I use a glass bowl that holds 12 cups.
- Add the brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, light Karo syrup, and white sugar. Stir the ingredients together.
- Cook for 7 minutes on high.
- Take out and stir well.
- Cook another 7 minutes on high.
- Stir again, making sure that it is nice and smooth.
- Pour into a buttered 9" x 13" pan.
- One important thing to do is to stir the caramel very well every time you take them out.
- Make sure you use real butter, not margarine or spreads.
- Let cool in the pan.
- Cut into small squares, wrap in wax paper and store in a air tight container.
Nutrition Information
Yield
60Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 68Total Fat 3gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 8mgSodium 29mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 0gSugar 9gProtein 0g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix
These look so good! And I love that you can make them in the microwave. And the ingredients, oh my!
Thank you Julie! I like making these too! They work up so fast and that is what we need this time of year! xoxo
That was the easiest caramel I ever made it taste so good I just made it my friends and family are going to love it I’m telling you do it and I am a trained chef I’ve made it to Hardway
Thank you! They are easy to make, but hard to resist! Happy Holidays!
I love the recipe as it’s so easy. I can imagine my kids enjoying this
Thank you for coming by and leaving a comment. It is a fun candy recipe to make.
I’m going to try these today! Thanks for sharing at the To Grandma’s House We Go DIY, Crafts, Recipes and more Link Party last week. I pinned this! Hope to see you again this week.
Good luck. I hope that you love this recipe as much as I do. We love Grandma’s House We Go. Thank you for hosting.
Dip in chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt
Now that sounds delicious!!! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing on the Classy Flamingos! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. I love easy and the idea of no candy thermometer. http://blog.poinsettiadr.com/2019/11/classy-flamingos-party-78.html
Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Happy Holiday!
Can you dip these in chocolate?
I have never dipped these caramels in chocolate, but I cannot think of a reason that you couldn’t. Just make sure that they are completely set up before you do. I hope that helps. Let me know if you do dip them in chocolate and how it turns out.
Thank you. I’ll be making these next week and let you know. Thanks again.
Just made them this afternoon and they came out great. I will be dipping them tomorrow in dark chocolate and will let you know how they turn out.
A couple of questions, can I add some salt to my next batch? My husband thinks there a little too sweet.
Also have you ever tried making them with all brown sugar in lieu of white and brown? Wondering if that might make them less sweet. Thanks so much. This was so much easier than the stovetop method!
I am glad they turned out! I do not think that brown sugar is any less sweet than white, but you could give it a try. I am afraid if you add more salt, it might just end up tasting too salty. You could always use a natural sugar substitute like swerve or Monk fruit, but it will change the taste.
Thank you. I’ll keep to the original then.
Btw I dipped them last evening in melted dark chocolate using Ghiardelli 60% dark chocolate chips. Then added some salt flakes on the top. They are absolutely delicious. I have to stop eating them. Thanks for this recipe!
I’m so glad that they turned out so well. Thank you for letting me know. It warms my heart to know that people are enjoying the recipes that I share here! Now I am going to have to try dipping some of these caramels. I love getting ideas from those who use my recipes and tweak them. Have a wonderful holiday season, and the best New Year ever!
I’m making my first batch and I do add a pinch if salt and use all brown sugar. I have been making caramels on the stovetop for over 45 years so anxious to see how these turn out.
Curious – how do you account for different microwave wattages?
The microwave that I used was 1000 watts and that is the highest. Generally, microwaves use between 600 and 1,000 watts (W) of electricity, depending on the model.
The higher the watts the hotter the microwave. So this recipe is for 1000 watts.
Wonderful. I hope they turn out perfect!! Make sure to use a large bowl as they bubble very high:)
When you say to stir well-would using a hand mixer be a good or bad idea?
I would not use a hand mixer to stir this. Thank you for coming by. And good luck with the caramels.