Both our Pat on her hill and Cindy/Teleflora (and all my family and friends!) can vouch for these being truly yummy caramels. I first tried making these because I knew our Pat loved caramels and I couldn't find any really good quality caramels to send to her- so I made them myself!
You can use light brown sugar for a mild flavor or dark brown sugar for a richer flavor and you can add chocolate with either light or dark and chopped nuts to any of those. So, there's quite a few yummy ways to treat your taste buds! The worst part of the whole thing is cutting the plastic wrap and wrapping each piece. But the effort is VERY much worth it.....
Caramels
1 cup salted butter or margarine (I only use real butter!)
1- 16 ounce package (2-1/4 cups packed) brown sugar Dash of salt
1 cup light corn syrup (see note below)
1- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (please don't use imitation vanilla)
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
2- one ounce squares of unsweetened chocolate- chopped (optional)
Butter a 9X9 inch pan- set aside. Melt the 1 cup of butter in a heavy 3 quart saucepan. Add sugar and salt- stir well. Stir in corn syrup.
Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk stirring constantly. If using chocolate add it immediately after stirring in the milk. Clip candy thermometer to the side of the pan- do not allow the tip to touch the bottom of the pan. Cook and stir over medium heat to 245 degrees (firm ball stage). This will take 12 to 15 minutes.
Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla- and nuts if using them. Pour into buttered pan. (Optional- Set pan on a wire cooling rack to cool more evenly.)
When cooled cut into squares and wrap individually in pieces of clear plastic (Saran) wrap. Makes about 2-1/2 pounds of caramels.
***About corn syrup- I use Karo brand name only. There are plenty of cheaper corn syrups but the contents often show water or other ingredients used to 'stretch' the product. My caramels deserve the best in all the ingredients. YMMV
You're welcome!
Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.