Microwave
Caramels
By Kids
Cooking Activities
Soft,
buttery homemade caramels made with simple
ingredients. This classic candy recipe reaches the
soft-ball stage and is best made with adult
supervision for heating and thermometer use.
- Category:
Dessert
- Candy Making
- Skill Level:
Intermediate
Prep: 10 minutes | Cook:
15-20 minutes | Set: 20-30 minutes
| Yield: About
36 small caramels
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup white corn
syrup
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup sweetened
condensed milk
Instructions
- Grease an
8-inch square pan and set aside.
- In a saucepan
over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Stir in corn
syrup, white sugar, brown sugar, and sweetened
condensed milk.
- Cook over
medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
- Using a candy
thermometer, continue cooking until the mixture
reaches the soft-ball stage (about 238°F).
- Carefully pour
the hot caramel into the prepared pan.
- Let set for
20-30 minutes, then cut into bite-size pieces.
Kid-Friendly Tips
- Kids can help measure ingredients before
cooking begins
- Adults should handle stovetop cooking and
thermometer use
- Explain the soft-ball stage as part of a candy
science lesson
Notes
For cleaner cuts, lightly
grease your knife before slicing. Wrap individual
caramels in wax paper for gifting or storage.
Storage
Store caramels in an airtight
container at room temperature for up to one week,
or refrigerate for longer storage.