As you all know, I’m a sucker for sweets! I love them. Especially chewy things. And you know that Chewy Caramel Popcorn recipe that I’ve shared here?? Well, whenever there’s leftover caramel in the pan, I pick at it and eat it all up! However, it never hardens enough to actually make caramels out of them. But, I always think, “if this would just harden a bit more, this caramel popcorn sauce would be delicious as caramel candies”.
Now, let a little time pass and I was talking to a sweet friend of mine (hey Janet!) and she mentioned finding a microwave caramel candy recipe online that is fast and super simple. Oh yeah, and delicious to boot! Hey…..I jump all over fast, easy, and delicious!!
So I looked around online to see what recipes I could see, to kind of compare them all. And I found very similar ones on Eat Cake For Dinner, the Yummy Life, CBSOP, and Country Home. And wouldn’t you know, the recipes are very similar to my Chewy Caramel Popcorn……you just cook it a little longer to help harden up the caramels a bit more. Makes sense.
And the result……..are these little lovelies!!!!
All I have to say……is that these are a serious palate pleaser. Especially if you like a little salty and sweet together.
And just think. You know that work party you have coming up, or that neighbor who just had a baby, or hey, how about that friend who just needs a little pick-me up?? Just whip up a batch and serve it on a little plate or wrap them individually in wax paper……and you have a yummy little treat to share!
And please, whatever you do, don’t skip the little bits of sea salt on top. The flavor is perfect harmony. :)
Oh, need some variety? Dip in chocolate, roll in nuts, add sprinkles, etc. Or leave it plain……because they’re completely delicious on their own!
All it takes is a few ingredients, 7 minutes (or less) in the microwave, a little time to cool/harden……and you’re ready for little chewy pieces of heaven!!
Want to make your own??
Just like I mentioned above, there are several recipes above that are all a little different……but mostly the same. I’d say that the recipe I used is most similar to CBSOP’s variation.
Full recipe below.
All you do is:
EDITED 12/2015: Since moving to different houses with different microwaves, I have noticed a difference in cooking time. Since moving to Oklahoma, we have a microwave that is 1100 watts. It’s best if I cook for 2 minutes, stir, cook more 2 minutes, stir, cook 1 minute, stir, and then cook 1 more minute…..so a total of 6 minutes. The best way for me to check is to drop some of the hot caramel into a cup of cold water and then to taste it. If it’s the chewy consistency you like, it’s probably done. If it isn’t quite chewy enough, cook another 30-60 seconds. If it’s too hard and is really sticking to your teeth and becoming too hard….you’ve cooked it too long. Hope that help!! -Ashley
Then, pour your hot mixture into a buttered square baking dish. Then sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
Place in the fridge for 45 minutes or so and then peel out of the pan. Lay flat on some wax paper and cut into small pieces. Buttering your knife helps with the cutting.
Then wrap each piece individually in wax paper or serve on a plate.
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Microwave Sea Salt Caramels
adapted from here
Combine all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 7 minutes, stirring every two minutes. (My microwave is 950 watts……time may vary with each microwave.) (UPDATE: Check the notes above for slight variation in cook time.) Pour mixture into a generously greased (I used butter) 8 inch square baking dish. Sprinkle sea salt over the top while it’s still sticky. Then let cool in the fridge for 45 minutes or until hardened. Then peel out of the pan (I used a fork to loosen up the edges) and place on a sheet of wax paper. Then slice into pieces with a buttered knife and place on a plate (keep them separate) or wrap in small pieces of wax paper.
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And enjoy.
-Ashley
Hi, I’m Ashley—the DIY-enthusiast behind this crazy blog!
