No-Bake Sea Salted Caramels
Imagine a sweet treat that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat. Easy microwave sea salted caramels are a simple yet indulgent delight. With a process almost as sweet as the final product, these caramels are perfect for any occasion, from a cozy night to a thoughtful homemade gift.
Why You’ll Love These Sea Salted Caramels
- Simplicity: Making these caramels is surprisingly easy, with the microwave doing most of the heavy lifting.
- Versatility: Whether it’s a holiday treat or a sweet surprise for a friend, these caramels fit the bill.
- Customizable: You can adjust the size of your caramels to fit your craving or presentation needs.
- Frugal Friendly: Using simple ingredients and the option to make in bulk, this recipe is as kind to your wallet as it is to your taste buds.
Want the printable recipe card? It’s down at the bottom of this post.
Ingredients You Need
- 1 stick of butter (8 Tablespoons)
- ½ cup sweet condensed milk
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Sea salt to garnish
- Extra: Parchment paper or waxed paper for lining
How to Make Caramels
- Prepare the Pan: Line an 8×8 pan with parchment or waxed paper. For waxed paper, I recommend a bit of buttering or nonstick spray.
- Melt the Butter: Use a microwave-safe dish, like a 4-cup measuring cup, for easy pouring later.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in sugars, condensed milk, and corn syrup until well combined.
- Microwave Magic: Heat the mixture in the microwave for 7 minutes.
- Add Vanilla: Carefully remove the vanilla extract from the microwave and stir it in.
- Pour and Cool: Quickly pour the mixture into your lined pan. Let it cool for at least 45 minutes.
- Salt and Slice: Once cooled, sprinkle with sea salt and cut into your desired sizes.
What to Serve With Sea Salt Caramels
Salt caramels are versatile treats. Pair them with various items for a delicious coffee break or light dessert
- With Coffee or Tea: Their sweetness compliments the bitterness of coffee or tea. For example, serve your homemade salted caramels with this Lavender Latte.
- As a dessert Topping: Chop them up and sprinkle them over ice cream or cakes.
- Holiday Gifts: Wrap them individually as thoughtful, homemade gifts from your kitchen.
Make Salted Caramels for Cookie Swaps
This DIY salted caramel recipe made in the microwave is a unique option for a holiday cookie swap. Here are a few more cookie recipes for holiday gatherings or cookie swaps.
- White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies with Maple Syrup: These cranberry cookies are a hit with their sweet and tart combo, thanks to white chocolate and cranberries. The maple syrup adds a unique twist. Plus, they’re gluten-free with almond flour.
- Chewy Pumpkin Snickerdoodles: Imagine pumpkin pie’s cozy, spicy flavors but in a soft, chewy cookie form. They’re like a hug in a cookie!
- Apple Cider Shortbread Cookies: These unusual shortbread cookies bring a touch of apple zing to the buttery richness of shortbread. They’re simple, elegant, and scream ‘fall’.
- Easy Apple Oatmeal Cookies: Think of chewy oats, sweet apples, and a hint of spice. These oatmeal cookies taste like autumn in a bite!
- Chocolate S’mores Cookies: They’re the campfire classic, but no fire is needed! Chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers make these s’more cookies irresistibly gooey.
Each recipe adds its unique touch to your holiday cookie plate. And you might also want to add this Almond Bark Cereal recipe to your cookie exchange lineup- so good.
FAQs
How Long Can I Store These Caramels?
Properly stored in an airtight container, these caramels can last up to two weeks. If you’re thinking of gifting them, remember they’re best enjoyed within a week for maximum freshness.
Can I Make These Caramels Without a Microwave?
While this recipe calls for a microwave, you can easily adapt it to a stovetop. Use a heavy-bottomed pan on low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. It might take longer, but the result is just as delicious.
How Can I Use Leftover Ingredients?
With just 1/2 cup of condensed milk, corn syrup and brown sugar, this recipe is a great way to use up leftovers from your other baking projects.
Easy Homemade Caramel Recipe
Whether you’re making a batch for a special occasion or just as a treat for yourself, the simplicity and deliciousness of these sea salted caramels are sure to bring joy. Plus, with the bonus of being budget-friendly and adaptable, it’s a recipe that fits into any lifestyle.
So why not give them a try? The perfect balance of sweet and salty awaits in these delightful homemade caramels.
Homemade Sea Salted Caramels
Make these simple homeamde sea salted caramels in minutes using leftover condensed milk, corn syrup and brown sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 stick of butter (8 Tablespoons)
- ½ cup sweet condensed milk
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Sea salt to garnish
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper. If you use waxed paper, I recommend buttering or coating it with nonstick spray.
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe dish. I like to use a 4-cup measuring cup, making it easy to pour.
- Stir in sugars, condensed milk, and corn syrup, combing well.
- Heat in microwave for 7 minutes.
- Remove from the microwave carefully and stir in your vanilla extract.
- Quickly pour the mixture into a lined pan.
- Let it sit for a minute or two, then sprinkle the top with coarse sea salt.
- Let your mixture cool fully; it will probably take at least 45 minutes, depending on the temperature in your kitchen.
- Remove the paper and caramel from the pan.
- Cut into whatever size squares or rectangles you like. I like to vary my square sizes a bit for when you want a little more or less sweet treat.
- To add a little thoughtful touch to your sea salt caramels when gifting, you can wrap each one individually with waxed paper. Or just layer in a container between wax paper sheets.
- Place a square in a small piece of waxed paper.
- Wrap and twist the ends.
Nutrition Information
Yield 32 Serving Size 2Amount Per Serving Calories 79Total Fat 3gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 9mgSodium 51mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 0gSugar 13gProtein 0g
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The caramel is so creamy and smooth and the hint of sea salt really brings out the flavor. Really really tasty! I’m thinking of wrapping these with a pretty ribbon and it would already look like a really thoughtful gift!
I followed the recipe to a T and the outcome was great. Smooth with a perfect balance of sweet and salty, just the way I prefer it. I packed them in adorable little bags and it would already look like a really thoughtful gift!
I used a mixture of white and dark brown sugar for the caramel, and it gave them a deeper caramel flavor that was absolutely divine. And I totally agree, these will make the perfect homemade gift for my friends and family. Will totally make a big batch soon!
It is so rich and buttery with just the right amount of sea salt to balance out the sweetness. I enjoyed them as a dessert topping for my favorite ice cream and it was so good. Such a delicious sweet treat!
I totally loved how easy this was to make! I love salted caramel and the texture of this was just what I wanted!
These were SO GOOD! I love that it was a microwave recipe and I didn’t have to get all stressed out with a candy thermometer and potentially burning sugar in a pan (haha). Will definitely be making again – thanks