This caramel recipe is my absolute favorite, but I cannot take credit for it. It’s been in our family for many years, and today I’m going to share it with you. Hopefully Aunt Shirlene won’t mind. 😉
I love it because it’s so versatile, and you can use this recipe for any caramel need. I use this for homemade caramel sauce (to go over ice cream or brownies). I use it for caramel apples, and I also use it when making Aunt Shirlene’s famous Caramel Pretzel Rods {GO HERE}. And although I’ve never made candy out of this, it’s great for that too. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
CARAMEL INGREDIENTS:
1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
8 oz. sweetened condensed milk
1 cup Karo Syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
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DIRECTIONS:
1. In a medium sauce pan mix all ingredients except the vanilla.
2. Cook on medium heat until it starts to boil.
3. Once it starts to boil, turn down the heat and simmer until semi-firm ball stage (when a little of the caramel dropped into cold water forms a semi-firm ball); stir in vanilla.
CARAMEL APPLES:
CARAMEL SAUCE:
Anonymous says
sweetened condensed "milk"?
Jen says
yes. "milk" thank you for pointing that out. 🙂
gina says
yummy!!! Does it need to be refrigerated?
Kasey Brookover says
This looks amazing! I am having a problem with on one of your download links. How do I contact you directly?
kaseyhartleben@gmail.com
Jen says
Hi Kasey. You can email us at eighteen25@live.com
Cindy Larkin says
Hi Gina, no it doesn't need to be refrigerated. 😉
Kelsie Galis says
Oh my this looks so good! I was looking for a great homemade caramel recipe for my candy cookie bars, thank you!
-Kelsie
http://www.designlifediaries.com/2014/07/candy-cookie-bars.html
Georgina Marmoy says
OMG! Sooo yummy and amazing!
http://www.georginamarmoy.blogspot.com
Lisa kincaid says
How many apples are made per recipe
Anonymous says
Mine never turned to caramel 🙁
Maddie says
This is the best I have ever tested
sara says
Does this harden well on the apples?
Or does it stay tacky?
Anonymous says
What is the shelf life? Great Christmas gift.
Cindy Larkin says
Sara, it's perfect for caramel apples!
Dora says
What is Karo Syrup exactly. Is it corn syrup, golden syrup or something else?
Dora says
All good. I now realise it’s light corn syrup. Thanks 😉
DeAnn says
Hi… I live in the Caribbean and don’t know what karo sauce is.
Can u enlighten me and is there a substitute?
Thank you
Heather says
This recipe looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it. One question though : Usually sweetened condensed milk comes in 14 oz. cans. Am I only supposed to use 8 oz or do I use the whole can?
Jenice says
Evaporated milk comes in 14 oz cans. Sweetened Condensed milk comes in 8 oz cans. 2 different things, same isle.
Stephanie says
Hi Jenice,
I am having the same problem. Ou sweetened condensed milk comes in 14oz cans.
Do I use only 8 oz weight measure, or 8 oz fluid measure??
Thanks
Jodie and Jen says
8 oz fluid measure. 🙂
Aly says
How many apples can this recipe coat??? I am hosting a caramel apple decorating/making party and want to make sure I have enough!!
And also how quickly after the caramel is made do you need to dip the apples in??
Can it sit in the pot/bowl for a bit??
Thank you!!!
Dan says
This recipe is absolutely the best and so easy to make. Thanks
Dorothy says
HI CAN I USE THIS CARAMEL TO FILL SOFT CARAMEL FILLED CHOCOLATES, BEEN LOOKING FOR ONE I CAN THAT WILL NOT HARDEN> THANK YOU