These quick and easy salted caramels are made in a microwave. When I say quick I mean it — these buttery rich bites of yumminess take about six minutes start to finish.
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. Well, when I found these on Spend with Pennies I knew that this was going to be my go to candy recipe. You don’t even need a candy thermometer.
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.
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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.
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I used vanilla sea salt to give the sweet vanilla in the caramel a flavor boost from the salty vanilla in the sea salt. You may be able to find it locally but it’s easiest to get it on Amazon. It’s really just a finishing salt – you don’t use much so it lasts forever. You can also stick a vanilla bean in some sea salt for a couple of months but I am not organized enough for that. This is my favorite.
Jacobsen Salt Co. Vanilla Bean Flake Sea Salt, 1.5 Oz.
Quick and Easy Salted Caramels in a Microwave
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 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.
If you liked Quick and Easy Salted Caramels you may also like…
Boozy Chocolate Covered Cherries
Halloween Candy Bark Just a Taste
Homemade Mallow Cups How Sweet Eats
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.
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
Homemade caramels are such a fun treat and a great gift too!
Marye Audet says
And these make it really easy!
Susan | LunaCafe says
Oh I’m in trouble now. Caramels quick and easy in the microwave? This is trouble. 🙂
Marye Audet says
I know. Me too.
Nagi@RecipeTinEats says
You have me very curious about this recipe….I am going to try it! 🙂
Marye Audet says
They are really good. I didn’t expect it from microwave candy.
Dee Dee says
You may be my husband’s new favorite person. LOL. He loves absolutely anything with caramel, so I will have to make these often!
Marye Audet says
LOL! Let me know what you think…
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
By quick and easy, do you mean in how fast I would eat every one of these? 🙂
Marye Audet says
Great minds think alike, you know?
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Love that you can make these caramels in the microwave! Definitely will be trying it for the holidays!
Marye Audet says
It saves so much time!
Alisa Fleming says
What a brilliant recipe! I’ve never seen such easy caramels, and the salt is like icing on a cake!
Christie says
I love that you mad this in the microwave. It is an under used kitchen tool
Catherine says
Dear Marye,what a great idea! So quick and easy…your caramels look perfect. xo, Catherine
Amy Stafford says
Definitely making these for the holidays and giving as gifts! Such a smart recipe.
lindsay Cotter says
quick and easy and i would probably not stop making these! genius! pinning
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!
Marye Audet says
Me too, I think I read them all. 🙂 Vanilla salt is GREAT to have around.