Unknownchef86s Microwave Soft Vanilla Caramels Recipes

SOFT CARAMELS

Steps:

• Heat sugar, syrup, & salt to boil in a VERY large stew pot (non-stick pot with no flaking is best). Please note that if you plan on doubling this recipe, you need to use a commercial size stew pot because the ingredients double in size as the temperature rises. Add cream VERY slowly. Cook stirring almost constantly to 239°F (or until you get just to the point where a little drizzle of cooled caramel gently rubbed between 2 fingers forms into a ball). This takes approximately 3-5 hours. Let cool a few minutes to help prevent sticking to the cookie sheets. Add nuts now if desired. Pour onto 3-4 buttered cookie sheets (cookie sheets should be buttered lightly so as not to end up with greasy caramels). Once cooled completely, flip cookie sheets over to release sheets of caramel (you may have to use a metal spatula to pull the sheet of caramel out of the cookie sheet). Use pizza cutter (if you have cooked them perfectly) or scissors (if you have slightly overcooked them to a stick-to-your-teeth texture) to cut into bite-size pieces. Each piece can now be dipped in chocolate or wrapped "as is" in small squares of wax paper (or candy wrappers).
• Note: This recipe also works great for caramel sauce -- just don't quite heat it to 239°F Hard toffee candies can be made if you heat it above 239°F Therefore, even if you mess up on your attempts to make SOFT caramels, you have SOMETHING left over for your efforts.

UNKNOWNCHEF86'S MICROWAVE SOFT VANILLA CARAMELS

Steps:

• Note: If possible, recruit an extra person or two to help cut and wrap the caramels. It can be done on your own with no real problem, but extra hands make the job easier. If you are doing the wrapping and cutting on your own, I would advise doing it in stages: cut all the wax paper squares, then cut the caramel into individual pieces, then wrap them according to directions. Rinse your hands occasionally with hot water, then towel-dry, to remove any residual stickiness.
• Butter an 8x8 inch pan. Line the pan with foil, folding any excess over the outside edges; set aside.
• Mix the butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in a microwave-safe glass bowl or measuring cup. I use my 4 cup Pyrex measuring cup or my 8 cup Pampered Chef measuring/mixing bowl, both of which have a handle.
• Microwave on high for two minutes.
• Stir mixture and return to microwave for two minutes longer.
• Add 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk and stir well.
• Microwave three and a half more minutes.
• Remove from microwave and stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla.
• Pour into prepared pan, scraping any residual caramel from the sides of the bowl. Be careful not to touch the caramel, as getting a sugar burn would put a real damper on your day.
• Set aside and let cool to room temperature.
• While the caramels are cooling, cut the wax paper squares; set aside. Note that the number of servings is dependent on how large/small you cut the caramels.
• When the caramel is cooled, remove foil liner from the pan via the foil "wings" folded over the top of the pan.
• Cut into approximately 1 inch squares with a well-buttered knife or dough scraper, being careful not to cut through the foil.
• Butter your hands well, then place one caramel in the middle of a wax paper square. Roll it into a cylinder, then twist the ends.
• Store the wrapped candies in a cool, dry place.

MICROWAVE CARAMELS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large glass bowl. (Make sure it is microwave safe or it will burn the carmel.).
• Remove bowl from microwave and add remaining ingredients. Stir well. Cook 7 minutes on high. Stir very well.
• Cook another 7 minues and stir well. Pour into well buttered 9x 13 pan.
• When cool, cut and wrap in waxed paper.

MICROWAVE CARAMELS

Steps:

• In large microwaveable bowl, but not plastic (this gets VERY hot), melt the butter for about 1 1/2 minutes on high.
• Blend in the sugar, corn syrup and 1 cup of the heavy cream.
• Heat on high for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes until the mixture reaches firm ball stage (244 to 248°F).
• Gradually blend in the remaining cream.
• Cook another 10 to 15 minutes on high, or until firm ball stage is achieved again.
• Pour into greased Pyrex baking dish and allow to cool 3 hours.
• Cut into squares and wrap each individual piece in waxed paper.

MICROWAVE CARAMELS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients.
• Cook 6 minutes, stirring every two minutes.
• Stir and pour into lightly greased dish.
• Let cool.
• Cut, wrap in wax paper & store in air tight container.