Who can deny themselves buttery, homemade caramels?! I know I can’t and this time of year, they go hand in hand with the holidays for me!
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Christmas is before us and who doesn’t feel nostalgic this time of year?! One of the things I love most about the holidays are the traditions that each family seems to have! I have fond memories of my childhood and the holidays. We had many traditions as a kid that including driving around looking at Christmas lights, decorating the house for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, and baking Christmas cookies!
Christmas Memories & Homemade Caramels
Each year when I was younger, each member of my family would select their favorite Christmas cookie to bake (sometimes two) and we would spend one whole Saturday baking, singing Christmas carols, and being together! Those memories are some of the very best that I have!
One of the treats that I remember my mom always making is Homemade Caramels! These caramels are buttery, creamy, and very delicious! My mom would make these caramels at Christmas time and then keep them throughout the winter!
We skied each winter and inevitably my mom always has some in her pockets for the car rides and chair lift rides! Little did I know at that time it was took keep us quiet when got extra chatty! Becuase, yes, these caramels are super chewy!
The Recipe
I honestly don’t know if my mom make this recipe up or if she got it from someone else, but regardless it’s my favorite and truthfully, the only homemade caramel recipe I’ll eat!
Homemade Caramels
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup butter
- 1.25 t vanilla
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine, the sugars, cream, milk, & butter
- Stirring almost constantly, heat to firm ball (248 degrees)
- Remove from heat and add in vanilla
- Pour into a greased pan and cool until set up
- Cut & wrap in wax paper
Notes
Cooks Notes
- This is not a fast producing recipe, it takes time to get the mixture to heat. Make sure to do this slowly (at a lower temp) and take the time to avoid burning it.
- Use a canola spray to grease the dish to avoid sticking
- For cooling, we typically cool the caramels in the garage! It is a cooler place without being too cold. Once I cut and wrap the caramels, I store them in the fridge!
- Using a candy thermometer that not only shows temperatures, but also where levels are like “firm ball” are located!
Homemade Caramels
I’d love to know what your favorite Christmas traditions are or favorite Christmas cookies or treats! I promise that if you decide to give these caramels a try, you won’t regret it!
Homemade caramels are one of my favorite treats. Time to get a candy thermometer, eh?
Haha! I figured I’m an adult now, so probably! Lol!
I make a microwave Caramel candy that is so delish, you can’t beat a great classic! Thanks for sharing at Celebrate365 Cookie Exchange
Sounds yummy! Thanks for being a host!!!
How long do these take, Katy — my recipe takes 2 hours of stirring and any cut in time would be great…
Definitely not 2 hours of stirring. I’d say maybe 30-45 minutes?! It’s really not bad. It just depends on how long it takes to get to temperature, but definitely not 2 hours!! I don’t have that kind of time! 😉
Remember how I saved some for vacations? Refrigerated they provided a “quiet” break. 🤭
OH yes! All the time! LOL!