If you've always wanted to try making homemade candy this is a good place to start!
Table of Contents
❤️ Why you'll love it
- quick and easy
- rich and buttery
- makes great gifts
🥫 How to store leftovers
Wrap each, individual piece in waxed paper and twist the ends. Store in a covered container at room temperature, with more waxed paper between the layers.
They'll be fine for 6 months or more.
📚 Related recipes
I've always enjoyed making candy. I used to make it to give as Christmas presents but lately I have figured out that it's just fun to make for no reason at all.
The problem is always time. By the time I get done with all of my have-to-dos and client work for the day I don't want to spend an hour stirring something on the stove.
These are firm enough that you can dip them in chocolate.
If you do, I'd wait to add the vanilla sea salt until after the chocolate went on. If you are going to eat them as is then I'd twist some waxed paper around them to keep them from hardening up.
📞 The last word
My first experiment at candy making was a long, long time ago.
When I was a kid I was an avid reader. When I was in 5th grade I'd ride my bike to the library, pick up five books, read them, and repeat the process a couple of days later.
Well, my favorites were the Anne of Green Gables books, the Little House on the Prairie books, and everything by Louisa May Alcott I could get my hands on.
I don't remember what book I was reading but the characters had a taffy pull. It sounded like amazing fun - after all, hot sugar syrup? What could go wrong?
This was another time I decided to surprise my mom with my spectacular cooking skills. I did surprise her, too.
There was sticky, sweet glue from one end of her once pristine kitchen to the other.
There was sticky, sweet glue in my hair, on my clothes, and miraculously there were about three pieces of taffy on a plate. Those were the pieces that had actually solidified rather than running everywhere.
After my lengthy period of solitary confinement in my room I decided that taffy was best bought at the beach and brought home in white paper bags.
It's a tradition I have continued to this day.
Anyway - you won't have that problem here, I promise. This quick and easy salted caramel sets up just like it's supposed to.
You'll only use two dishes and a spoon plus measuring cups. You've got this.
However, if you are under the age of 22 I suggest asking your mom if you can try this recipe. Don't risk solitary confinement - it's lonely.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Quick and Easy Salted Caramels in a Microwave
Print Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- Vanilla Sea Salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Spray an 8x8 inch pan with cooking spray or butter it generously.
- In a glass or other microwave safe bow mix all of the ingredients
- Microwave on high for 6 minutes, stirring every 90 seconds or so and watching carefully.
- Pour into the prepared pan.
- Let cool until set, about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle the vanilla salt crystals over the top. Don't use too much
- Press in gently.
- Let cool completely.
- Cut into small squares.
- Wrap in waxed paper or parchment to keep fresh.
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First published September 23, 2015. Last updated January 16, 2022 for readability and structure.
Barbara aka Granny B says
For some reason at 81 years young I have had a craving for caramel i have been making caramel popcorn balls but I cheated using Werthers Soft caramels melted in a double steamer letting the caramels melt with a touch of butter and of course salt.. OH MY GOODNESS they don't last a Texas breakfast spell lol.... This old Texas Heifer has been in heaven for 2 weeks eating and remaking these, but I must say this caramel recipe of yours is much better both as popcorn balls or broken up as like in Cracker Jacks, your caramel candy which didn't last either I have made twice this month.. Marye i love your sense of humor and being ex military, wife, mother a busy woman, needless to say sending everyone your awesome recipes, a best selling Arthor you need a BIG sense of humor, I know i do as a retired Army wife of 26 wonderful years i feel lost at times so i COOK! Limbo Your caramel along with all your delicious recipes are heaven sent, I have been cooking for 67 years (i started young ;o) always needing fresh ideas I go straight to Restless Chipotle for written, explained step by step recipes enough for this old heifer to cook never disappointed nor is my family. Thank you so much for bringing life back to me and weight on the family Lol.. BIG hugs MERRY CHRISTMAS Granny B
Marye says
Barbara - thank you SO much! This made my day!
Taylor says
I LOVE the ease of this recipe. I need to make a lot of carmels and would like to utilize larger pans and was wondering if this recipe could be doubled? Especially curious about cooking time if doubled. Thank you for a great recipe.
Marye Audet says
Im sure it could but I can't help you on cooking time since I haven't done that much at once. 🙂
Tina Romano says
Mary,
Thanks for posting this recipe on Facebook recently. I plan on trying it this week. I would like to add some bourbon or rum if possible. How would I go about doing that? I’m guessing stir In a tablespoon at the end of the cooking process maybe.
Marye Audet says
Yep that's how I'd do it.
Susan | LunaCafe says
Oh I'm in trouble now. Caramels quick and easy in the microwave? This is trouble. 🙂
Nagi@RecipeTinEats says
You have me very curious about this recipe....I am going to try it! 🙂
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
Sounds like we had the same reading list as a kid! Love those old classics!!! I love that you tried to have your own taffy pull. I was never that adventurous...although from the sounds of it, it's a good thing I just kept buying taffy. LOL! Love these easy caramels! And vanilla sea salt? How have I never heard of that?!!?! I have some extra vanilla beans...now if I just had the patience to let it sit for that long!