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
Scale
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.
