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Home » Type » Desserts » Candy » Simple Salted Caramels Recipe – Makes a Lovely Homemade Gift!

Simple Salted Caramels Recipe – Makes a Lovely Homemade Gift!

December 16, 2022 by Faith 52 Comments

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This salted caramels recipe yields decadent homemade chewy caramel candy that’s rich and buttery with a hint of vanilla; and it’s easier to make than you might think! It’s a beautiful, festive homemade gift or party treat for the holidays or any time of year.

homemade chewy caramel candy with sea salt

Get ready for your new favorite candy!

These soft little caramels are rich and flavorful with the perfect texture.

unwrapping salted caramel candy

They’re rich and buttery, and subtly scented with vanilla. And they have a sweet, nuanced caramel flavor that’s enhanced by crunchy sea salt flakes.

Fleur de sel caramels are chewy, but they don’t stick to your teeth the way store-bought soft caramel candy has the tendency to do.

These candies are the perfect Halloween indulgence for adults. Additionally, around the holidays they make great party treats, or a lovely homemade gift in a festive tin or vintage jar.

salted caramels on wooding board ready to be wrapped

In This Article

  • Tips for Success at Making the Best Homemade Chewy Salted Caramels
  • How to Make This Salted Caramels Recipe
  • Storage
  • Salted Caramels FAQs
  • More Decadent Homemade Candy Recipes to Make
  • Salted Caramels Recipe

Tips for Success at Making the Best Homemade Chewy Salted Caramels

  • Read the whole recipe through before starting. Measure out all your ingredients, and get out all the equipment you’ll need. Once you get started, the steps happen quickly and you making sure you’re prepared will help you avoid any mishaps. Set yourself up for success!
  • Use an instant-read thermometer, which you can get very affordably on Amazon.
  • Stir strategically to help prevent crystallization. When you’re cooking the sugar, corn syrup, and water, you can give the sugar a quick stir at the beginning, but avoid touching the spoon to the sides of the pot. Once the mixture is boiling, you can swirl the pot, but don’t stir.

How to Make This Salted Caramels Recipe

Ingredients

salted caramel ingredients with titles
  • Vegetable oil – for oiling the parchment paper in the pan to make double sure that the caramel doesn’t stick
  • Heavy whipping cream – should have 36 to 40% fat
  • Unsalted butter – along with the heavy whipping cream, this adds richness and buttery flavor to our chewy caramel candy
  • Vanilla extract – for flavor and aroma
  • Salt – to enhance the caramel flavor
  • Granulated sugar – this is the base of our caramel; as it “burns” the caramel forms
  • Corn syrup – this invert sugar helps prevent sugar crystallization, which can cause grainy caramel
  • Water – to slow the caramelization process a bit so it doesn’t happen too fast
  • Flaky sea salt – for sprinkling on top; this not only pulls out the flavor notes of the caramel and adds balance to the sweetness, but it also adds a pop of crunchy texture

How to Make Salted Caramel Candy

how to make salted caramels
  1. Stir together the cream, butter, vanilla, and salt to a small to medium-sized pot over medium-low heat. Once it starts steaming, turn the heat down to very low to keep it warm for now.
  2. Add the sugar, corn syrup, and water to a medium-sized pot over medium heat.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then continue cooking until it turns a warm golden amber color and reaches 320F on an instant-read candy thermometer.
  4. Immediately pour the warm cream mixture into the sugar mixture. Be careful, it will bubble up. Give it a stir, and continue cooking until it reaches 240 to 245F on an instant-read thermometer.
  5. Carefully pour the hot caramel into the prepared pan. Cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate until the caramel is chilled enough to cut, about 3 hours.
  6. Cut the caramel into 24 pieces and sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top of each piece. Wrap the salted caramels in parchment paper.

Storage

You can store wrapped homemade salted caramel candy at room temperature for up to 2 weeks (keep it in a cool, dry place, such as your pantry). Or you can keep them in the fridge for up to 4 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

top view of salted caramels on wooden board on marble countertop

Salted Caramels FAQs

Why Do You Add Salt to Caramel?

Salt enhances the flavor of the ingredients it’s paired with. Here, it makes the caramel taste even more intense, and also helps to balance the sweetness.

What Does Corn Syrup Do in Caramel?

Corn syrup is known as an invert sugar that helps prevent sugar from crystalizing in caramel. Sugar crystallization can lead to a grainy, gritty texture instead of a smooth caramel.

hand reaching in to grab piece of salted caramel

Can I Make Soft and Chewy Caramel Without Corn Syrup?

Yes! There are tons of recipes that make chewy, soft caramel candy without corn syrup as an ingredient. Their ingredient list and method are developed specifically to work without corn syrup.

However, this salted caramels recipe was developed using corn syrup. I don’t recommend skipping the corn syrup here, as you will likely need to experiment with adding another interfering agent to replace the corn syrup to prevent the sugar from crystallizing.

If you’re interested in caramel without corn syrup, check out my soft and chewy gingerbread caramel candy recipe and my easy butterscotch sauce recipe. I use cream of tartar to help prevent sugar crystallization in both of those recipes.

What Should I Wrap Chewy Caramels In?

Wax paper and parchment paper both work well for wrapping chewy caramels. You can also use cellophane candy wrappers, which are available on Amazon.

hand with sweater taking wrapped piece of homemade salted caramel

More Decadent Homemade Candy Recipes to Make

  • Chocolate Covered Sponge Candy
  • Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Caramel Candy
  • Crispy Toasted Puffed Quinoa Dark Chocolate Candy Bars
front view of salted caramels on board with dish of sea salt

Let’s Connect

I love hearing from you!
Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment.
You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.
To stay up-to-date, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!
xoxo, Faith

salted caramels recipe featured image

Salted Caramels Recipe

By: Faith Gorsky
This salted caramels recipe yields decadent homemade chewy caramel candy that’s rich and buttery with a hint of vanilla; and it’s easier to make than you might think! It’s a beautiful, festive homemade gift or party treat for the holidays or any time of year.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Time for the Caramel to Chill 3 hrs
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 servings
Calories 110 kcal

Equipment

  • Parchment paper
  • 8 by 8-inch pan
  • 2 3-quart saucepan
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • Chef's knife
  • Cellophane candy wrappers

Ingredients
 
 

  • Vegetable oil for the pan
  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Flaky sea salt for topping

Instructions
 

  • Line an 8 by 8-inch pan with 2 pieces of parchment paper so it hangs over all 4 sides (so you can easily lift out the caramel later). Lightly brush the parchment paper with vegetable oil.
  • Stir together the cream, butter, vanilla, and salt to a small to medium-sized pot over medium-low heat. Once it starts steaming, turn the heat down to very low to keep it warm for now.
  • Add the sugar, corn syrup, and water to a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then continue cooking until it turns a warm golden amber color and reaches 320F on an instant-read candy thermometer.
  • Immediately pour the warm cream mixture into the sugar mixture. Be careful, it will bubble up. Give it a stir, and continue cooking until it reaches 240 to 245F on an instant-read thermometer.
  • Carefully pour the hot caramel into the prepared pan. Cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate until the caramel is chilled enough to cut, about 3 hours.
  • Cut the caramel into 24 pieces and sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top of each piece.
  • Wrap the salted caramels in parchment paper or cellophane candy wrappers.

Faith’s Tips

  • Recipe Yield and Serving Size: You can cut the caramel into smaller or larger pieces if you like. I find that 24 pieces yields decently sized caramels without being too big. The nutrition information for this recipe was calculated based on cutting the caramel into 24 pieces.
  • To Help Prevent Crystallization: When you’re cooking the sugar, corn syrup, and water, you can give the sugar a quick stir at the beginning, but avoid touching the spoon to the sides of the pot. Once the mixture is boiling, you can swirl the pot, but don’t stir.
  • Storage: You can store wrapped homemade salted caramel candy at room temperature for up to 2 weeks (keep it in a cool, dry place, such as your pantry). Or you can keep them in the fridge for up to 4 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
  • What Should I Wrap Chewy Caramels In? Wax paper and parchment paper both work well for wrapping chewy caramels. You can also use cellophane candy wrappers, which are available on Amazon.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Salted Caramels Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 piece)
Calories 110 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Trans Fat 0.1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 16mg5%
Sodium 29mg1%
Potassium 9mg0%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Sugar 15g17%
Protein 0.2g0%
Vitamin A 197IU4%
Vitamin C 0.04mg0%
Calcium 6mg1%
Iron 0.01mg0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Chewy Salted Caramels, Fleur de Sel Caramels, Homemade Salted Caramels, How to Make Salted Caramels, Salted Caramel Candy, Salted Caramel Candy Recipe, Salted Caramels, Salted Caramels Recipe
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
salted caramels pin

This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on October 18, 2010. I updated it with more information on December 16, 2022.

Filed Under: Candy, Christmas, Gluten Free Tagged: Chewy Salted Caramels, Fleur de Sel Caramels, Homemade Salted Caramels, How to Make Salted Caramels, Salted Caramel Candy, Salted Caramel Candy Recipe, Salted Caramels, Salted Caramels Recipe

Comments

  1. Betsy says

    December 6, 2022 at 6:01 pm

    5 stars
    These are perfect salted caramels, and absolutely addictive!!

    Reply
  2. Brie says

    March 25, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    Made these today and they are delicious! Have you ever doubled the recipe to make a larger amount?

    Reply
    • admin says

      March 26, 2012 at 6:54 am

      Brie, I’m so glad you liked them! No, I’ve never doubled the recipe…let me know how it goes if you try it!

      Reply
  3. Mariah says

    November 15, 2010 at 10:53 pm

    These look really good! But do you know of a way to make them without corn syrup? I don’t use it for health reasons.

    Reply
    • admin says

      November 16, 2010 at 6:22 am

      Mariah, I haven’t tried making them without corn syrup. If you do a search on Google for “caramel recipe without corn syrup” you should find several recipes that come up. Good luck!

      Reply
  4. FOODESSA says

    October 27, 2010 at 3:12 am

    Faith…with all the catching up I have on your blog…I’m sure smiling upon these caramels, especially with ‘la fleur de sel’.
    I’ll have to make sure friends come over when these are made so that I don’t become addicted ;o)

    Ciao,
    Claudia

    Reply
  5. admin says

    October 26, 2010 at 6:07 am

    Gold, Good question. I haven’t tried freezing them so I don’t know for sure, but they do refrigerate well. If you freeze them, I would let them thaw overnight in the fridge, then after that bring them to room temp. (There might be condensation — just dab it with a paper towel.) Also, I would hold off on adding the salt until you’re ready to use them. Hope these tips help…if you freeze them, let me know how it goes!

    Reply
  6. Bakeolicious.com says

    October 24, 2010 at 3:55 am

    I love salted caramel and these look fabulous.

    I’d love for you to submit one of your beautiful photos, and a link to your post, to my new food photo gallery showcasing beautiful baking and desserts.

    Reply
  7. Pachecopatty says

    October 20, 2010 at 5:54 am

    These salted caramels do look perfect and I can’t think of a better use of fleur de sel:)

    Reply
  8. My Carolina Kitchen says

    October 20, 2010 at 4:42 am

    I bet the fleur de sel put these caramels over the top in flavor. Ooh, la, la.
    Sam

    Reply
  9. Sanjeeta kk says

    October 20, 2010 at 1:58 am

    A lovely treat for my kids. Thanks for sharing, Faith.

    Reply
  10. Dina says

    October 19, 2010 at 8:35 pm

    i’ve always wanted to make caramels. salted sound even better. i may try it!

    Reply
  11. jen cheung says

    October 19, 2010 at 7:40 pm

    ou ahhhhhh! fresh caramels!!! I never tried them fresh before :( would love to one day though! I miss those soft caramel candies – where they stick to your teeth!!

    Have a great day!
    jen

    Reply
  12. hobby baker says

    October 19, 2010 at 6:51 pm

    Mmmmm, I love sweet and salty. I’ve never tried making caramels, I wonder if I could make them work with golden syrup in lieu of corn syrup…

    Reply
  13. ingrid says

    October 19, 2010 at 5:37 pm

    I’ve made caramel and butterscotch sauces but never took it a step further and made caramel candies. I need to make some…what’s a few more degrees, right?!
    ~ingrid

    Reply
  14. [email protected] says

    October 19, 2010 at 5:24 pm

    Your caramels look amazing! I am totally trying your recipe. I have made caramels a bunch of times and they never come out so perfect and sliceable.

    Reply
  15. Julie says

    October 19, 2010 at 4:45 pm

    Oh I wish I could have one of these! Love salted caramels. I’ve made caramels but never salted ones. I will be giving these a try.

    Reply
  16. pigpigscorner says

    October 19, 2010 at 2:06 pm

    5 stars
    love love salted caramels!

    Reply
  17. Monet says

    October 19, 2010 at 1:11 pm

    I have always had such a hard time making caramel…so I very much appreciated your tips. I’m in need of something sweet like this…homemade caramel sounds just about perfect right now. Thank you again for your kind words/thoughts on my blog.

    Reply
  18. Mimi says

    October 19, 2010 at 11:31 am

    Homemade caramels are fabulous. Great job on the photos.
    Mimi

    Reply
  19. Michelle @ Find Your Balance says

    October 19, 2010 at 11:14 am

    Homemade sweets are the best! They love great – well done :-)

    Reply
  20. Barbara says

    October 19, 2010 at 10:55 am

    I just knew this was Ina’s basic salted caramel recipe, Faith. I’ve been dying to try these. Not sure how they will hold up in Florida’s humidity. My mouth is watering…you’ve done great photo-instructions!

    Reply
  21. Krista says

    October 19, 2010 at 8:43 am

    Wow! These are wonderful little beauties. :-) Thank you for the tips you included. I’ve never made candy before so I love getting ideas on how to do it RIGHT. :-)

    Reply
  22. Katerina says

    October 19, 2010 at 10:30 am

    5 stars
    I love the tips you give in this post they are very helpful. And these little treats are divine.

    Reply
  23. Beth says

    October 19, 2010 at 10:12 am

    Your caramels look wonderful. And the step-by-step advice you give is so helpful. I loved being able to see the color, and also the temperature it should reach. Okay, maybe I really will give it a try!

    Reply
  24. Ameena says

    October 19, 2010 at 9:57 am

    May I suggest that you hold a contest of some sort and give these away to one lucky winner – who of course would be me?

    Reply
  25. Lisa says

    October 19, 2010 at 9:49 am

    Oh yum, salted caramels sound so delectable.

    Reply
  26. Sara says

    October 19, 2010 at 8:43 am

    Faith, Thank you so much for posting this recipe! You have no idea, I have been looking for a good Caramel with Fleur Del Sel recipe for awhile. I Love caramels & yours look delicious!

    Reply
  27. Emily Z says

    October 19, 2010 at 8:17 am

    Beautiful candy, Faith! These should be in a magazine! You did a great job!

    Reply
  28. Dana says

    October 19, 2010 at 7:45 am

    You and your homemade candy continue to make my mouth water! These sound fantastic!

    Reply
  29. Nicole, RD says

    October 19, 2010 at 3:30 am

    These intimidate me, but I want to try them! I’m making your California Pizza Kitchen-Style BBQ pizza on Thursday night, I’m so excited! And I know my hubby is, too…I’ve been talking about it forever!!! :)

    Reply
  30. Joanne says

    October 19, 2010 at 5:17 am

    After making caramel macchiato cupcakes with a hint of sea salt, salted caramel is my new favorite thing! These look fantastic. I would love to see them on my Christmas cookie tray. Or in my halloween basket.

    Reply
  31. [email protected] says

    October 19, 2010 at 5:06 am

    These are just too good. I love salt and caramel. I had seen a chocolate salted caramel in Gourmet and got the company to product place them for a movie I was doing.. the crew ate them all up the minute we were done shooting… they were just great!!! I can’t wait to try these… simple and good!

    Reply
  32. coco says

    October 19, 2010 at 4:36 am

    homemade candies? Impressive!!! :D

    Reply
  33. Chiara says

    October 19, 2010 at 4:08 am

    I love salted caramels. I wish I had the means to make them, my kitchen here is tiny and not very well equipped…

    Reply
  34. Cara says

    October 18, 2010 at 10:12 pm

    Those look like fun little treats!

    Reply
  35. Veronica says

    October 18, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    Oh, these look HEAVENLY!!! I simply must find some fleur de sel–I’ve seen these caramels on foodgawker and have been jonesing for them for almost a year. You just made it 10X worse!! aaaack!

    Reply
  36. A Canadian Foodie says

    October 18, 2010 at 7:46 pm

    These are absolutely stunning. I am very impressed. I make salted caramel chocolates every Christmas, but these look gorgeous as they are. YUMMMM!
    Thank you!
    Valerie

    Reply
  37. Carolyn Jung says

    October 18, 2010 at 4:40 pm

    I tell ya, I was not wild for caramels until people started sprinkling that little bit of sea salt on them. It makes all the difference in the world. Now, I’m hooked on them. ;)

    Reply
  38. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    October 18, 2010 at 4:16 pm

    Faith, your caramels look perfect! I used a recipe I was given and they just wouldn’t set. I was so upset. I should try yours! :D

    Reply
  39. BeadedTail says

    October 18, 2010 at 4:47 pm

    I haven’t made caramels before but I might just have to try! Those look very tasty!

    Reply
  40. Mo says

    October 18, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    I’m so impressed that you made caramels! I bet they’re delicious. :)

    Reply
  41. Jen says

    October 18, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    Perfect caramels without a need to visit the dentist – love it! Great idea to make little bite-sized pieces.

    Reply
  42. MaryMoh says

    October 18, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    Beautiful caramel! I love how you show the necklace to share about the caramel colour. I sure need that…haha

    Reply
  43. Juliana says

    October 18, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    Wow, what a great treat for the Halloween…love the idea of some salt to cut the “too sweet” feeling :-)

    Reply
  44. Lucy says

    October 18, 2010 at 12:23 pm

    I am most envious of your caramel stash right now! They look sublime – can’t wait to make them as a sweet Christmas treat :)

    Reply
  45. Kristina @ spabettie says

    October 18, 2010 at 10:16 am

    I have never attempted caramel, although I have always wanted to…

    salted caramel is my favorite, and yours looks gorgeous!

    Reply
  46. Barbara Bakes says

    October 18, 2010 at 9:41 am

    Your caramels are perfect. I’ve had my struggles with making caramel, so I really admire someone who can do it well.

    Reply
  47. Swathi says

    October 18, 2010 at 11:21 am

    Salted Carmel candy awesome. I wish i could be in your neighborhood.

    Reply
  48. Maria @ Scandi Foodie says

    October 18, 2010 at 10:26 am

    They look perfect!

    Reply
  49. Blond Duck says

    October 18, 2010 at 10:26 am

    I love caramels!

    Reply
  50. Rosa says

    October 18, 2010 at 10:23 am

    I love those! So irresistible.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply

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Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

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affiliate disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

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