Homemade Caramels

 I am so sorry I haven't posted in awhile.  It takes me awhile to find a new recipe I LOVE....and I LOVE this caramel recipe.  During the Christmas holidays, I came across this yummy recipe and had to try.  Jenna was home and we loved it so much, we made it a second time.  I just made them for Valentines.  They are not hard but you do have to have a candy thermometer.  I ordered this new digital thermometer off of Amazon.  I also had good parchment paper and I ordered a handy tool for cutting the caramels.  As for wrapping the caramels, I tried cute little bright foil wrappers first but those stuck to the caramels so don't get those.  I then ordered some cute wax paper wrappers from Amazon and those worked great.  I got this fabulous recipe from Krista at Stay Fit mom.  I follow Krista on instagram.  She said this was her grandma's Christmas Caramel recipe.  Krista uses a poly-lined floral foils to wrap hers.  It comes in a big roll and you have to cut it. 

This recipe isn't hard.  It just takes a little bit of time and patience.  I cut mine over two days.  I would cut, wrap, cut, wrap... rest for a bit and then cut some more.  It makes a ton of caramels.  I truly cannot tell you how yummy these are.  

I topped mine with sea salt - Krista does not.  ENJOY!!!

                                       new digital thermometer - cook on medium low to 240 degrees F

Homemade Caramels (adapted from Krista at StayFit Mom)

2 sticks butter or 16 Tablespoons

2 14 oz cans condensed milk

1 2 lb bag dark brown sugar 

2 cups light corn syrup

pinch salt

2 tsp vanilla

option - sea salt for topping

Line a large 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper.  Use clips to clip it to the side of the pan to keep it in place and so you can lift the caramels out of the pan. 

In a large, heavy duty pan (not teflon-I use my All-Clad),  start melting butter over medium heat.  Add the rest of the ingredients except the vanilla.  Stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, getting the bottom and sides of the pan, bring the mixture to a constant, gentle boil.  When mixture starts to boil, add in the candy thermometer. Continue to stir until mixture turns golden and reaches a temperature between 240 and 242 degrees.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. 

Pour the mixture into the parchment paper lined pan.  If interested, top with sea salt.  Allow mixture to cool before cutting and wrapping. 

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