This easy recipe for Microwave Caramels is simple to make, just takes 6 ingredients and makes the most delicious buttery caramels. Homemade Caramels are a delicious treat to make during the holiday season, they are one of our favorite treats to share.

Are you looking for other simple treats? Check out my recipes for Toffee Bars, Double Chocolate Cookies, or Rolo Pretzel Turtles.

close up of square of caramel topped with sea salt

Soft Caramel Candies

I have been making this chewy caramel recipe for almost 10 years. Homemade candies like caramel or this divinity are a go-to for holiday friend and family gifts.

I got this recipe from my aunt, who makes the most incredible caramels!! This simple recipe is a family tradition that we will keep going every year. The original recipe, I got from my aunt who has definitely perfected it.

slab of caramel next to smaller squares of caramels around it

How to Make Microwave Caramels

There are just a few steps to make this simple caramel recipe, this recipe is so easy, you will have a hard time messing it up!

First, combine the sugar, brown sugar, light corn syrup, and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. I like to use a large glass mixing bowl.

glass bowl of ingredients to make caramels

Place the bowl into the microwave and cook for 5 minutes.

After the 5 minutes, carefully (it will be hot) remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the butter and sugars together until well combined.

bowl of ingredients to make caramels with a wooden spoon

Add in the can of sweetened condensed milk and stir. The caramels will go back into the microwave and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, depending on your microwave.

I like to cook the caramels in 3-minute increments, removing the bowl from the microwave and stirring in between cooking times.

When you get to about 9 minutes in your cooking time, it is time to start testing to see if the caramels are done. You will start to notice that the color will change to be a little darker and the liquid is getting thicker. At this point, you can start cooking the caramels in 30-second increments until done.

Testing Caramel for Doneness

A simple test to make sure your caramels have the texture you want is to do a cold water test. Simply fill a bowl with ice water and drop in a few drops of the hot caramel mixture. If it easily forms a ball, then you are done. If it falls to pieces, then it still needs to cook for longer.

If you have an instant read thermometer, then go ahead and test it that way. You will want a temperature around 235ºF.

Making Homemade Caramels

The last few steps are so simple. Add in the vanilla when you have reached that soft ball stage. Now, the caramel goes into a greased 8 x 11 or 8 x 8 inch pan. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight or freezer for an hour, until caramel is hardened.

I like to keep my caramels cold when cutting and wrapping, it makes the process a lot easier. Remove the whole pan of caramel with a spatula onto a clean surface, cutting board, or large piece of parchment paper and cut it into bite-size pieces with a sharp knife. Wrap the caramels in small pieces of parchment twisted on each side.

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