Best 9 Old Fashioned Caramels Recipes

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Indulge your taste buds with our exquisite collection of old-fashioned caramel recipes, a delightful journey into the realm of classic confections. These timeless treats, passed down through generations, embody the essence of comfort and nostalgia. From the melt-in-your-mouth smoothness of Classic Caramel Candy to the chewy delight of Caramel Squares and the irresistible crunch of Salted Caramel Popcorn, each recipe captures the magic of homemade goodness. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary adventure, our step-by-step instructions and helpful tips ensure that you'll create perfect caramels every time. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your kitchen, and embark on a sweet adventure that will leave you craving more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

GRANDMA'S OLD-FASHIONED CREAM CARAMELS



Grandma's Old-fashioned Cream Caramels image

Classic, chewy, creamy, delicious buttery caramels. Grandma's Old-fashioned Cream Caramels are the sticky yummy quintessential caramel.

Provided by Debi

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 tablespoons neutral flavored oil (divided use)
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened and cut into pieces)
2 cups heavy whipping cream
½ teaspoon salt (plus additional for sprinkling on top if desired)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Line a 13x9-inch pan with aluminum foil so that the foil goes up the sides of the pan. With a paper towel, coat the foil with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Set aside.
  • In a 4-quart or larger heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and corn syrup. Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil, about 5 minutes. Wash the sides of the pan down 2 times with a pastry brush dipped in warm water to prevent the sugar from crystallizing.
  • Place a candy thermometer in the pan with the hot sugar, and increase the heat to medium-high. Continue to cook the candy without stirring until it registers 305° F on the candy thermometer, about 15 minutes.
  • While the hot sugar cooks, heat the cream in a separate small saucepan or in the microwave until it's hot. Set aside.
  • Remove the sugar mixture saucepan from the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of the butter until it's melted in. Return the pan to medium heat, and add the remaining tablespoon butter a little at a time, keeping the mixture boiling.
  • Slowly and carefully add the hot cream to the caramel sugar mixture. Be careful as the mixture will bubble up and steam and can cause burns. Stirring continuously, cook the caramel until the mixture reaches 250° F on the candy thermometer, about 10 - 15 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat, and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the ½ teaspoon salt and vanilla. Pour the caramel into the prepared foil lined pan, and let sit for at least 8 hours at room temperature.
  • After the caramel has rested, coat a cutting board and the blade of a chef's knife with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
  • Invert the foil-lined pan of caramel onto the cutting board, and peel the foil off of the caramel.
  • Cut the caramel into bite sized pieces.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 41 kcal, Carbohydrate 6 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 2 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 6 mg, Sodium 14 mg, Sugar 6 g, UnsaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving

OLD-FASHIONED CARAMELS



Old-Fashioned Caramels image

Before I was married, my future father-in-law would fix these creamy caramels at Christmas and send me some. The recipe has been in my husband's family for decades...so, when we got married, I learned to make them, too.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 2 pounds.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 tablespoon plus 1 cup butter, divided
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups light corn syrup
2 cups half-and-half cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans, optional

Steps:

  • Line an 11x7-in. pan with foil; grease with 1 tablespoon butter and set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and remaining butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; boil gently for 4 minutes without stirring. , Remove from the heat; stir in cream. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage), stirring constantly., Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla and pecans if desired. Pour into prepared pan; cool. Using foil, lift candy out of pan. Gently peel off foil; cut candy into 1-in. squares.

Nutrition Facts :

OLD-FASHIONED DIVINITY CANDY



Old-Fashioned Divinity Candy image

This is a soft white candy made with light corn syrup.

Provided by Lisa H.

Categories     Desserts     Candy Recipes     Divinity Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups white sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
½ cup hot water
¼ teaspoon salt
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In a heavy, 2 quart saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, hot water, and salt. Cook and stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil. Then cook to hard ball stage without stirring, 250 degrees F (120 degrees C.) Frequently wipe crystals forming on the sides of the pan, using a pastry brush dipped in water. Remove from heat.
  • Just as the syrup is reaching temperature, begin whipping egg whites: In a large glass or stainless steel mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Pour hot syrup in a thin stream over beaten egg whites, beating constantly with the electric mixer at medium speed. Increase speed to high, and continue beating for about 5 minutes. Add vanilla; continue beating until the mixture becomes stiff and begins to lose its gloss. If it is too stiff, add a few drops hot water.
  • Immediately drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. For a decorative flair, twirl the top with the spoon when dropping. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 114.3 calories, Carbohydrate 29.3 g, Protein 0.4 g, Sodium 44.3 mg, Sugar 24.7 g

OLD FASHION CARAMELS



Old Fashion Caramels image

Good Good Good

Provided by Jean Romero

Categories     Candies

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 lb butter
2 c sugar
1 1/2 c corn syrup, light
1 pt heavy whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c pecans chopped

Steps:

  • 1. In a large pan melt butter, add corn syrup, sugar and half of the cream,stir to keep from burning, bring to a boil (I cook on medium high) but I know my stove and have been making these caramels for many years) when candy starts to boil, slowly add the rest of the cream stirring all the time cook til candy reaches 245*F then take off burner and add vanilla and chopped nuts.
  • 2. Pour into a buttered 9X13 pan, let cool then cut into bit sized pieces and wrap in wax paper, my caramels don't last too long so some times they don't get wrapped.

OLD-FASHIONED CARAMELS



Old-Fashioned Caramels image

Make and share this Old-Fashioned Caramels recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Dee514

Categories     Candy

Time 30m

Yield 1 3/4 Pounds

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 1/2 tablespoons butter
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons light molasses
1/2 cup undiluted evaporated milk
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, cut in pieces
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup nuts, chopped (your choice)

Steps:

  • Mix butter, sugar, molasses and milk in a heavy sauce pan.
  • Bring mixture to a boil.
  • Add chocolate and stir until the chocolate is melted.
  • Cook to soft ball stage (234°-240°F on candy thermometer), or until mixture forms a soft ball when a small amount is dropped into cold water.
  • Mix in the vanilla and nuts and pour mixture into a greased 8x8x2 inch pan.
  • Cool, and when fairly firm, cut into small squares.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 2052.7, Fat 96.1, SaturatedFat 40.1, Cholesterol 64.5, Sodium 839.2, Carbohydrate 308.5, Fiber 17.8, Sugar 259.1, Protein 27

OLD FASHIONED CARAMEL PIE



Old Fashioned Caramel Pie image

This pie is made mostly the old fashioned way. I caramelize the sugar in an iron skillet, but I make the rest of the filling in the microwave. My mom taught me to make this. She just dumps the ingredients in, though, so I had to make her let me measure before she "dumped" so I could write down the recipe. This recipe sounds long and involved, but is really easy. I do it from memory now. My kids won't even try caramel pie from a restaurant. They say they can tell by looking at restaurant caramel pies that they won't be as good!

Provided by CaramelPie

Categories     Pie

Time 30m

Yield 2 pies, 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 (9 inch) pie crusts, baked
1 2/3 cups sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 cups milk
6 extra large eggs, separated
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional)
3/4 cup sugar

Steps:

  • Leave oven on from baking pie shells. Whisk together the 1-2/3 cups sugar and cornstarch in a large (at least 2 qt.) microwaveable bowl until there are no more lumps from the cornstarch. Pour the milk into the sugar mixture and whisk together until smooth. Add the butter to the top of the mixture.
  • Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Whisk thoroughly. Microwave for 3 more minutes, whisk again. Have the egg yolks in a separate bowl. Beat them slightly. Add a tablespoon full of the hot mixture at a time to the egg yolks, stirring well after each addition. Do this until the yolk mixture is warm. (This will keep it from getting lumpy.) Then add the yolk mixture to the cooked mixture. Microwave in one minute increments, whisking each time, until the mixture is of pudding consistency. Whisk in the vanilla. Set aside.
  • Put the 2/3 cup sugar into a small iron skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, on high until brown and bubbling. It will look like it's going to boil over. Pour IMMEDIATELY into cooked filling and whisk thoroughly. Divide between the 2 pie shells.
  • Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar (if using) until foamy and slightly holding shape. Turn beaters on low speed. Add the 3/4 cup sugar. After sugar is mixed in, turn beaters on high again. Beat until meringue is hard to shake off a spoon (or it stays on beater when you turn off mixer and pull beaters out of bowl). Spread meringue onto filling all the way to the edges.
  • Bake about 10 minutes or until brown. Watch closely. Turn off oven, open oven door slightly, and let pies cool in oven for 1 hour. Let pies cool completely on counter. Spray plastic wrap with Pam, cover pies and refrigerate.

OLD FASHIONED CARAMEL FUDGE RECIPE



Old Fashioned Caramel Fudge Recipe image

Enjoy this Old Fashioned Caramel Fudge Recipe as a delightful treat for a holiday or any day. Try this Old Fashioned Caramel Fudge Recipe this weekend!

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Home

Time 4h20m

Yield 58 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pkg. (11 oz.) KRAFT Caramels
2 Tbsp. 2% milk
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup)
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 pkg. (10 oz.) JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows
4 pkg. (4 oz. each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Steps:

  • Line 13x9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides; spray with cooking spray. Cook caramels and 2% milk in medium saucepan on low heat 5 to 7 min. or until caramels are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
  • Cook butter, evaporated milk, sugar and marshmallows in large saucepan on medium heat 8 to 10 min. or until mixture comes to full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Cook 5 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and vanilla; stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended.
  • Pour chocolate mixture into prepared pan; spread to cover bottom of pan. Pour caramel mixture over chocolate layer; swirl slightly with knife.
  • Refrigerate several hours or until firm. Use foil handles to remove fudge from pan before cutting into squares.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 130, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 4.8887 mg, Sodium 35 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 0.5826 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 1 g

OLD-FASHIONED CHOCOLATE FUDGE



Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge image

This fudge is easy to make and very delicious. Enjoy this with your loved ones. For best results be sure to use a candy thermometer.

Provided by BOOK_WORM

Categories     Desserts     Candy Recipes     Fudge Recipes     Chocolate

Yield 60

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups white sugar
½ cup cocoa
1 cup milk
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan. Set aside.
  • Combine sugar, cocoa and milk in a medium saucepan. Stir to blend, then bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer. Do not stir again.
  • Place candy thermometer in pan and cook until temperature reaches 238 degrees F(114 degrees C). If you are not using a thermometer, then cook until a drop of this mixture in a cup of cold water forms a soft ball. Feel the ball with your fingers to make sure it is the right consistency. It should flatten when pressed between your fingers.
  • Remove from heat. Add butter or margarine and vanilla extract. Beat with a wooden spoon until the fudge loses its sheen. Do not under beat.
  • Pour into prepared pan and let cool. Cut into about 60 squares.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 36.5 calories, Carbohydrate 7.3 g, Cholesterol 2.4 mg, Fat 0.9 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 0.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 7.3 mg, Sugar 6.9 g

OLD FASHIONED EVAPORATED MILK CARAMELS



Old Fashioned Evaporated Milk Caramels image

Make and share this Old Fashioned Evaporated Milk Caramels recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Kimke

Categories     Candy

Time 35m

Yield 2 1/2 pounds

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups white sugar
2 cups white Karo
1/2 cup butter
2 cups evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Boil sugar,salt and corn syrup to 245 degrees.
  • Stir occasionally.
  • Add butter and evaporated milk so gradually that the mixture does not stop boiling.
  • STIR CONSTANTLY!
  • Cook rapidly to 240 degrees, being careful not to scorch.
  • Add vanilla and nuts.
  • Pour into greased pan.
  • Cool before cutting.
  • Cut with heavy,sharp knife with saw-life motion.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 2293, Fat 84, SaturatedFat 35.3, Cholesterol 156.1, Sodium 877, Carbohydrate 396, Fiber 4.2, Sugar 234.9, Protein 18.1

Tips:

  • To ensure your caramels turn out perfectly, use a heavy-bottomed saucepan that will distribute heat evenly.
  • Make sure the butter and sugar are completely melted and combined before adding the milk and corn syrup. This will help prevent the mixture from curdling.
  • Stir the mixture constantly while it is cooking. This will help prevent the sugar from crystallizing and the mixture from scorching.
  • Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature of the mixture. The mixture should reach 250°F (121°C) before removing it from the heat.
  • Pour the mixture onto a greased baking sheet and let it cool completely before cutting it into squares.
  • If the mixture is too thick to pour, add a little more milk or cream.
  • If the mixture is not thick enough, continue cooking it until it reaches the desired consistency.
  • Store the caramels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Conclusion:

Old-fashioned caramels are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create these classic candies that are sure to be a hit. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give this old-fashioned caramel recipe a try.

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