If you have a soft spot for irresistibly chewy, buttery sweets with just the right touch of salt, then you are going to adore this Easy Salted Caramels Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of rich caramel goodness balanced by flaky sea salt, creating those little bites of heaven that melt in your mouth. The beauty of this recipe is how straightforward it is, transforming a handful of simple ingredients into gourmet candies that taste like they belong in an upscale confectionery. Whether you’re gifting them to friends, enjoying a cozy treat, or simply satisfying a sweet craving, these salted caramels will quickly become your go-to dessert staple.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for a handful of basic pantry staples that come together beautifully to create luscious caramel. Each ingredient plays an important role in the texture and flavor — from the creamy butter that adds richness to the light corn syrup which keeps the caramel smooth and prevents crystallization.
- Granulated sugar: The main sweetener and foundation of the caramel’s rich flavor.
- Light corn syrup: Helps prevent sugar crystals, ensuring a smooth, chewy texture.
- Unsalted butter: Adds creaminess and depth, using unsalted lets you control the saltiness perfectly.
- Heavy cream: Gives that lush, melt-in-your-mouth softness and enhances richness.
- Pure vanilla extract: Introduces a warm, fragrant note that rounds out the caramel flavor.
- Flaky sea salt: The crowning touch to bring out the sweetness and add that irresistible salty crunch.
How to Make Easy Salted Caramels Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan
Begin by lining an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring you leave enough overhang on the sides so you can lift the caramel out easily once set. This step makes cleanup a breeze and helps you cut your caramels neatly.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients in a Saucepan
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, add granulated sugar, light corn syrup, butter pieces, and heavy cream. Stir gently until butter melts and the sugar dissolves completely. Taking your time here ensures a smooth mixture without gritty sugar bits.
Step 3: Cook to the Perfect Temperature
Bring the mixture slowly to a gentle boil. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the temperature reaches 245°F. This “firm ball stage” is the sweet spot for achieving that perfect chewy, but not sticky, caramel texture.
Step 4: Add Vanilla Extract
Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract. This addition will infuse your caramels with lovely warmth and complexity, elevating every bite.
Step 5: Pour and Cool
Immediately pour the hot caramel into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Allow it to cool at room temperature for about 2 hours until it firms up but remains delightfully soft and chewy.
Step 6: Finish with Sea Salt and Cut
Sprinkle flaky sea salt generously over the surface of the caramel, then use the parchment paper overhang to lift it out of the pan. Cut into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife, and wrap each piece in parchment or wax paper to keep them fresh.
How to Serve Easy Salted Caramels Recipe
Garnishes
While the flaky sea salt topping is the classic finish here, you can also experiment with a dusting of cocoa powder or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate for an extra decadent touch. Adding a sprinkle of crushed nuts on top can provide a delightful crunch contrast too.
Side Dishes
These salted caramels pair wonderfully alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea, where their sweetness complements the robust bitterness of the drink. They also make an elegant treat alongside a cheese platter featuring mild, creamy cheeses that won’t overpower the caramel’s nuance.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation is everything — try serving your caramels in decorative glass jars tied with twine as homemade gifts. They also shine as part of a dessert board, nestled among fresh berries, nuts, and chocolates. For a festive party, stack them in pretty paper cups or gift boxes for easy grab-and-go indulgence.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can easily store your salted caramels at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Wrapping each piece individually in parchment paper prevents sticking and preserves their chewy texture beautifully.
Freezing
If you want to keep caramels longer, freezing is an excellent option. Place wrapped caramels in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying to return their perfect softness.
Reheating
If your caramels become a bit firm over time, warm them gently in your hands or microwave for a few seconds wrapped in wax paper — just enough to soften without melting. This quick trick brings back that luscious chewy texture instantly.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
It’s best to stick with unsalted butter here to control the salt level yourself with the flaky sea salt on top. Salted butter can make the caramel too salty and throw off the balance of flavors.
Do I have to use a candy thermometer?
For the best results, yes. Hitting the precise temperature of 245°F ensures your caramels set perfectly chewy. Without a thermometer, it’s tough to judge the right cooking stage, and the texture might be off.
Why is light corn syrup important?
Corn syrup helps prevent the sugar from crystallizing, giving the caramel a smooth and glossy texture. Substituting it with something else can cause grainy caramels, which we definitely don’t want.
Can I add flavors other than vanilla?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment by adding a pinch of cinnamon, a splash of bourbon, or even a little espresso powder in place of vanilla to create your own spin on this Easy Salted Caramels Recipe.
How do I know when the caramel has reached the “firm ball” stage?
Using a candy thermometer is the most accurate way, but you can also test by dropping a small amount of caramel into cold water: it should form a firm but pliable ball you can shape with your fingers.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Salted Caramels Recipe has quickly become a beloved treat in my kitchen because it strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and indulgence. Once you master these chewy, buttery delights with their sparkling sea salt topping, you’ll find it hard to resist sharing them with friends and family. Give it a try — I promise these are the kind of sweets that bring genuine smiles and happy memories with every bite.
Print
Easy Salted Caramels Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 25 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Salted Caramels are a perfect blend of sweet and salty, crafted with simple ingredients to create buttery, soft caramels with a touch of flaky sea salt on top. The recipe uses a stovetop cooking method, making it accessible for anyone to create delightful homemade caramels that can be enjoyed as treats or gifts.
Ingredients
Caramel
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Topping
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to make it easy to lift the caramel out once set.
- Combine ingredients: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, unsalted butter, and heavy cream over medium heat. Stir continuously until the butter melts completely and the sugar dissolves into the mixture.
- Cook the caramel: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the temperature reaches 245°F, which is the firm ball stage for caramel.
- Add vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the pure vanilla extract thoroughly to infuse the caramel with flavor.
- Set the caramel: Pour the caramel mixture into the prepared baking pan and smooth out the surface with a spatula. Allow it to cool at room temperature for about 2 hours until fully set.
- Finish and serve: Once cooled, sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt. Cut the caramel into squares or rectangles as desired. Wrap each piece individually in parchment or wax paper for storage or gifting.
Notes
- Use a candy thermometer for accurate cooking to ensure the perfect texture.
- Make sure to cool the caramel completely at room temperature to allow it to set properly.
- Wrap the caramels individually to keep them fresh and prevent sticking.
- For a variation, try adding different types of sea salt or sprinkle with a little extra vanilla powder for enhanced flavor.
