Ping: Leslie. re: caramels

You were more than polite, Kathyl! Here's what I put into my computer recipe application:

Leslie's Caramels

Recipe By: Leslie and the furbabies Ingredients:

1 cup butter or margarine

1 16 oz. package (2-1/4 cups packed) brown sugar

Dash salt

1 cup light corn syrup

1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

2 squares (2 oz.) unsweetened chocolate- chopped (optional)

Directions:

Lightly butter 9X9X2 in. square pan. Set aside.

Melt the 1 c. butter or margarine in a heavy 3 qt. saucepan. Add brown sugar and salt, stir thoroughly. Stir in corn syrup.

Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk stirring constantly but gently. (Then add chopped chocolate if using.)

Clip candy thermometer to the side of the pan- do not let the bulb touch the bottom of the pan. Cook and stir (occasionally) over medium heat to

245 degrees- firm ball stage. This will take 12 to 15 min.

Remove from heat- stir in vanilla (and walnuts if using). Pour into buttered pan. It will cool more evenly if placed on a wire rack with air circulation.

When cooled, cut into squares (dip knife into water between cuts if necessary) and wrap. Makes about 2-1/2 lbs.