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Microwave Caramels

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Microwave Caramels take less than 10 minutes to make and taste amazing!  Sprinkle some sea salt on top for Microwave Sea Salt Caramels!  Easy, delicious and make a great gift!

 

Microwave Caramels - main image for recipe of half of caramels in pan cut with other half wrapped in wax paper.

 

If you love Caramels, then stop what you are doing, and make these Microwave Caramels!

Seriously, they are so easy to make and taste amazing!

Now you can eat them just as they are, or you can sprinkle a little sea salt on top and make yourself some Microwave Sea Salt Caramels.

Either way, you’ve got one simple and delicious treat!

Every year for the holidays, we do big baked goodie baskets for all my daughters teachers at school.

There are 5 of them.

 

Microwave Caramels - butter and sugar in a bowl uncooked

 

And so each teacher get a basket of baked goodies, generally at the beginning of the month before they completely tire of treats or start their diets.

And I’m always looking for quick and easy treats in addition to cookies to include in their treat baskets.

Last year we decided to do a cookie basket.

We included 5 or 6 different cookies and I was literally baking for almost 2 days.

Each batch of cookies takes a while to bake and the fancier the cookie, the more time it takes.

So this year we are simplifying our lives.

 

Microwave Caramels - mixture mixed together in bowl, uncooked.

 

I am determined to make not only a few of our favorite cookies, but to also add in a few treats that are FAST and delicious like these Microwave Caramels.

Let me add in a disclaimer right here before someone leaves me a scathing comment.

All microwaves are NOT created equal.

Therefore the cooking time WILL vary.

For me it took 2 tries to get the perfect cooking time for my microwave.

The first at 7 minutes came out hard and stick in your teeth annoying.

 

Microwave Caramels - mixture is in bowl and boiling

 

The second batch at 6 minutes 20 seconds, were just perfect. the right amount of chewiness and easy to cut.

However, you microwave and mine are not the same.

So if this takes you two tries, I apologize but trust me, it’s worth it.

AND it really only takes 7 minutes to make.

So two batches in less than 30 minutes (which is less time than most cookies) is acceptable.

I HOPE however it doesn’t require you two tries.

 

Microwave Caramels - caramel mixture poured into casserole dish to cool.

 

But if it does, I apologize now and hope you’ll keep trying!

Not only do I love that these caramels are ready in 7 minutes or less, but I also love that they are naturally gluten free, so you don’t have to worry about figuring out a good gluten free cookie recipe.

Just whip these up!

These work great as stocking stuffers, gifts in a jar, white elephant gifts and a year round treat that everyone enjoys!

Think Weddings, Baby Showers and Parties.

Keep a bowl of them ready for any guests that stop by and everyone will ask for the recipe!

 

Microwave Caramels - pan of caramels on cutting board with wrapped caramels all around.

 

No need to spend hours in the kitchen for a tasty treat.

Just use your microwave and enjoy the goodness once it cools!

I hope you enjoy these Microwave Caramels as much as we do!

 

Yield: 50 Caramels

Microwave Caramels

Microwave Caramels - pan of caramels on cutting board with wrapped caramels all around.
Prep Time 4 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup white Karo Syrup
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

Grease a 9x9 inch pan and set aside.
Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl.
Add all other ingredients and stir well.
Microwave on HIGH for 6 - 7 minutes (6 minutes 20 seconds worked best for my microwave)
Pour into greased pan.
Allow to cool.
Slice into squares and wrap in wax paper.

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Helen

Monday 18th of December 2017

How do you get the caramels from sticking to your wax paper. Mine stuck to it when unwrapping.

Janelle

Thursday 21st of December 2017

Helen, it sounds like yours need to cook for a few seconds more. Each microwave cooks at a slightly different temperature/speed so it's a bit of a guessing game when it comes to microwave cooking. A few seconds more and that should help with the sticking. Otherwise pop them into the fridge and that should help get them off the wrappers. Hope this helps!

Sherry Lee

Wednesday 4th of October 2017

....if only they were chocolate!

Janelle

Monday 9th of October 2017

Spread a nice layer of chocolate on top and sprinkle with sea salt! Then you'll get the best of both worlds!

Sue Brown

Tuesday 6th of December 2016

Can't wait to try these caramels. Sounds so easy & delicious. .

Janelle

Tuesday 6th of December 2016

Thanks Sue! I hope you enjoy them!

Mary

Wednesday 9th of November 2016

Love this! One question - you mention two times as working best for you. In the recipe you say 6 minutes 20 seconds and in the post you mention 7 minutes 20 seconds. I am thinking you meant 6 minutes 20 seconds in the post but want to be sure I am understanding correctly. If too hard and chewy, use less time, correct? Thanks.

Janelle

Wednesday 9th of November 2016

Mary!! I am always shocked when people actually read what I write. I'm a skip to the recipe kind of girl myself. I'm so glad you caught this! The ideal for my microwave was 6 minutes 20 seconds. Not 7 minute 20 seconds. good grief that would turn it to more of a rock than a candy! LOL. The recipe is correct and I've updated my text. Thank you!

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