Candy Making..Homemade Caramels.. and more

Caramels can be very tricky..well, all of candy making is tricky!!
You have to be very patient when making caramels. The caramel has to be cooked slowly, so be sure to set aside about two hours. While you are stirring, grab some friends and family to chat with, watch a Christmas movie or listen to some holiday tunes!

Homemade Caramels

1 pound of butter

2 pounds of brown sugar (1 bag)

16 ounces of Karo syrup

2 14 oz. cans of sweet and condensed milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Melt butter in a heavy, 6 quart pot on medium low heat. Stir in the brown sugar.
2. Stir in the Karo syrup. The caramel will come to a gentle boil.
3. Gradually add the sweet and condensed milk and continue to stir over heat.
4. Using a candy thermometer, heat until the caramel is at softball stage, approximately 240 degrees.
5. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. The caramel will bubble up, keep stirring.
6. Pour caramel into a generously buttered jelly roll pan. Cool completely.
7. Cut caramel into 1×2 inch squares with a sharp knife. (Or whatever size you prefer!)
8. Cut wax paper or decorative foil into 3×5 inch pieces. Wrap caramel squares into wax paper or foil and twist ends. Or simply serve like shown below (but don’t keep unwrapped for too long or they will harden!)

This recipe makes about 150 caramels, so you’ll have plenty to gift to friends and fam, bring to the office, or save for yourself ;) Package these caramel treats into cellophane bags or holiday take out boxes for gifts.

Homemade Caramel Corn

2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. karo syrup
2 sticks butter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 c. uncooked popcorn

Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil; boil 5 minutes. Add baking soda and vanilla extract. Pour over popped corn.Bake at 225°F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Caramel Nut Delights

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 lg. pot
Water

Put unopened can into pot, fill pot with water. Make sure water covers over can. Let boil for 3 hours. Make sure water covers can at all times. Let cool. Open can. Enjoy.

 

Make Turtles...

Boil the condensed milk as stated. when the cans are cool, open them. Have a bowl of ground pecans ready. Drop small scoops of caramel from spoon into ground pecans, put onto waxed paper. Melt a good quality chocolate and dip each pecan caramel into melted chocolate. This makes a candy similar to turtles.