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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Dessert / Easy Microwave Caramels

    Easy Microwave Caramels

    Published: Dec 7, 2018 · Modified: Oct 22, 2022 by Anna 29 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    These Easy Microwave Caramels are buttery and soft and made in just 7 minutes in the microwave. This is the easiest way to make this homemade candy!

    Side shot of three pieces of homemade microwave caramels stacked on each other.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients:
    • Tools You'll Need:
    • How to make microwave caramels?
    • Helpful Tips!
    • How to wrap homemade caramels?
    • Recipe FAQs:
    • More candy recipes:
    • Easy Microwave Caramels

    Why This Recipe Works

    Buttery, sweet, and gooey caramels made in the microwave in just 7 minutes. Say what? Simply melt butter, add white and brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and corn syrup, and cook in the microwave. The result: perfect, golden, gooey, and buttery caramels you ever had!

    These Easy Microwave Caramels are quite easy to make and totally irresistible! You can wrap them in wax paper for a sweet treat anytime, dip them in chocolate and dress up with sprinkles for a festive holiday platter, or hide them inside a cookie dough ball before baking! Either way, these caramels are bound to be a hit!

    Ingredients:

    • unsalted butter: gives the caramels a rich and smooth flavor;
    • sugar: I use white and brown for rich flavor;
    • corn syrup: I recommend the clear one; dark corn syrup has more of a molasses flavor;
    • sweetened condensed milk: makes caramels creamy and soft;
    • salt: any type works; sea salt pairs very well with caramel;
    • vanilla extract: adds delicious flavor to this simple candy.

    Tools You'll Need:

    • 8" square baking pan
    • parchment paper
    • wax paper
    • microwave-safe bowl
    • wooden spoon or spatula

    How to make microwave caramels?

    • Start by lining your baking pan with a sheet of parchment paper. Set aside, so it's ready as soon as the caramel mixture is done.
    • Make sure the bowl you will be making the caramels in is microwave safe and clean and dry. Place butter (chopped into tablespoon-size pieces) in the bowl and microwave for 1 minute. It will be almost all melted. Add remaining ingredients and stir well.
    • Place mixture in a bowl into the microwave and cook for 2 minutes. Stir well. Set timer to cook for 4 minutes, but stop it every minute to stir the mixture. It will bubble up and rise up in the bowl, so stir it until it calms down. Once done, carefully remove the bowl with caramel from the microwave and pour into prepared pan. Let cool completely in room temperature.
    • Once the caramel is cooled, lift up the parchment paper and set on a cutting board. Slice caramel into squares and wrap each one individually. If you keep them all together unwrapped, they will stick together and get messy.
    Overhead shot of caramel mixture in glass bowl with a wooden spoon inside.

    Helpful Tips!

    • Plan ahead: make sure nothing will be distracting you (phone, kiddos, laundry, etc.). We are dealing with a hot sugar mixture here that you need to watch and stir every minute.
    • Prep: make sure your 8" square pan is lined with parchment paper and ready before you start microwaving the mixture. Once the caramel is done, pour it carefully into the pan, smooth out, and let cool completely.
    • Parchment paper: line your 8" square pan with it for easy removal. Once the caramel cools, lift it out of the pan, place on a cutting board and slice with a knife into small squares. Each one will easily come off the parchment and will be ready for wrapping.
    • No need to pull out the bowl out of the microwave, just hold it with one hand (in a kitchen mitten since the bowl will be hot!) so it won't be turning around and stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until the bubbling stops and the mixture falls a little bit. Be careful while handling the mixture. The bowl and the caramel will be very hot!
    • Use real unsalted butter (no margarine, Imperial spread, etc.): real butter won't splatter and it will make the caramels buttery and delicious.

    How to wrap homemade caramels?

    This recipe makes 100 pieces if you cut the cooled caramel into 1" x 1/2" pieces. Cut wax paper into 4" x 3" pieces and wrap each piece of caramel, rolling it into a 2" x 1/4" candy. See the photo below for visual help.

    Recipe FAQs:

    How to store caramels?

    Caramels can be stored at room temperature and stay well for a few weeks. You can keep them in the fridge or freezer for up to 3 months. I highly recommend wrapping them in wax paper. This way they won't stick together.

    Do I need corn syrup to make caramels?

    Corn syrup prevents the caramel mixture from becoming grainy. Without it, candy syrup will crystalize. If you

    Can I double the recipe?

    Absolutely! Double the ingredients and use 2 square pans or one 13" by 9" pan.

    Overhead shot of caramels wrapped in wax paper, placed on white plate.

    More candy recipes:

    • Microwave Mocha Fudge
    • Reese's Fudge
    • Peppermint Pretzel Candy Recipe
    • Rolo Pretzel Bites
    Pin This Recipe button

    If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!

    Microwave caramels stacked up on parchment paper.

    Easy Microwave Caramels

    Author: Anna
    Buttery and soft caramels made in just 7 minutes in the microwave. This is the easiest way to make this homemade candy!
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 7 mins
    Total Time 12 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 100 caramels
    Calories 25 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ½ cup unsalted butter
    • ½ cup white sugar
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • ½ cup corn syrup
    • ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Line an 8″ square baking pan with a sheet of parchment paper. Set aside, so it’s ready as soon as the caramel mixture is done.
    • Make sure the bowl you will be making the caramels in is microwave safe and clean and dry. Place butter (chopped into tablespoon-size pieces) in the bowl and microwave for 1 minute. It will be almost all melted. Add white and brown sugar, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk and salt and stir well.
    • Place mixture in a bowl into the microwave and cook for 2 minutes. Stir well. Set timer to cook for 4 minutes, but stop it every 1 minute and 30 seconds to stir the mixture. It will bubble up and rise up in the bowl, so stir it until it calms down.
    • Once done, carefully remove the bowl with caramel from the microwave, stir in vanilla extract and pour mixture into prepared pan. Let cool completely in room temperature.
    • Once the caramel is cooled, lift up the parchment paper and set on a cutting board. Slice caramel into squares and wrap each one individually.

    Notes

    • No need to pull out the bowl out of the microwave, just hold it with one hand (in a kitchen mitten since the bowl will be hot!) so it won’t be turning around and stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until the bubbling stops and the mixture falls a little bit. Be careful while handling the mixture. The bowl and the caramel will be very hot!
    • To wrap caramels in wax paper: This recipe makes 100 pieces if you cut the cooled caramel into 1″ x 1/2″ pieces. Cut wax paper into 4″ x 3″ pieces and wrap each piece of caramel, rolling it into a 2″ x 1/4″ candy.
    • Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 25kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 7mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Calcium: 6mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Rowen Schwartz says

      April 16, 2022 at 4:15 pm

      do we need the corn syrup for the carmels becuse I don´t have anymore?

      Reply
    2. Carol says

      December 12, 2021 at 12:37 am

      How do the varying wattages of different microwave ovens affect this recipe? My microwave ocean is only 900 watts. Would I need to increase the overall time?

      Reply
      • Becki says

        February 06, 2022 at 11:58 pm

        5 stars
        I too have a low wattage microwave and have made this recipe numerous times and they always come out perfectly. Just cook at full power (high) for around 5 minutes, stopping every 1 minute and 30 seconds to stir.

        Reply
    3. Beau says

      January 02, 2019 at 8:13 am

      It would be even better to know at which setting the microwave should run...

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        January 04, 2019 at 4:41 pm

        Mine is always set to HIGH. I hope this helps!

        Reply
    4. Terri Moen says

      December 18, 2018 at 10:24 pm

      Just made these today for the first time. Easy to prepare and set up just perfectly. The microwave recipe is genius. I will definitely make these again; everyone loved them!!! Thank you 😋😍

      Reply
    5. Kimberly says

      December 12, 2018 at 1:14 am

      5 stars
      THIS is what I need....quick, easy, fuss-free and totally delicious! Awesome!

      Reply
    6. Krista says

      December 10, 2018 at 9:55 am

      5 stars
      I have to get these made for the Holidays! My family would love to have them!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        December 10, 2018 at 12:44 pm

        Awesome! Thanks, Krista!

        Reply
    7. Dee says

      December 09, 2018 at 11:45 pm

      5 stars
      So easy and delicious! I've gotta make these for myself!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        December 10, 2018 at 12:46 pm

        I hope you love them, Dee!

        Reply
    8. Erin says

      December 09, 2018 at 7:06 pm

      5 stars
      These would disappear in our house!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        December 10, 2018 at 12:46 pm

        Thanks, Erin!

        Reply
    9. Chrissie Baker says

      December 08, 2018 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      Cannot believe how easy and delicious this recipe is. I am so excited to have found it! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        December 10, 2018 at 12:50 pm

        I am so happy to know you love it, Chrissie!

        Reply
    10. Lora says

      December 08, 2018 at 9:44 am

      These are so easy to make and what a great Christmas gift idea!!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        December 10, 2018 at 12:50 pm

        Exactly! So easy and delicious!

        Reply
    11. Melanie Bauer says

      December 08, 2018 at 3:50 am

      5 stars
      Looks awesome! I love how easy to make this, definitely making this yummy recipe!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        December 10, 2018 at 12:50 pm

        Thanks, Melanie!

        Reply
    12. Lisa says

      December 07, 2018 at 5:36 pm

      5 stars
      I made these and was pleasantly surprised! I do think they are just a tad bit soft so am refrigerating them before I cut into pieces.

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        December 10, 2018 at 12:53 pm

        Awesome! Let me know what you think when you taste them, Lisa! Thank you!

        Reply
    13. Jennifer says

      December 07, 2018 at 4:27 pm

      5 stars
      I can't believe how easy these are to make! Perfection!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        December 10, 2018 at 12:54 pm

        Right? Thank you, Jennifer!

        Reply
    14. Sabrina says

      December 07, 2018 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      These are so good! I'm making another batch this weekend to give away to friends and neighbors.

      Reply
    15. Jamielyn says

      December 07, 2018 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      Doesn't get easier than this! Such a classic Christmas candy!

      Reply
    16. Tara says

      December 07, 2018 at 1:44 pm

      5 stars
      So chewy and luscious, and I love that I can use the microwave!

      Reply
    17. Allyson Zea says

      December 07, 2018 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      I had no idea you could do this in the microwave!!!

      Reply
    18. Becky Hardin says

      December 07, 2018 at 12:24 pm

      5 stars
      I love how easy these are to make! Nothing better then a soft chewy caramel candy! Yum!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        December 07, 2018 at 1:36 pm

        Absolutely! They are so buttery and gooey!

        Reply

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