Country Cream Caramels
Creamy country-style caramel candies with rich vanilla flavor, perfect for gifting or savoring as a sweet treat. Smooth, buttery, and delightfully chewy, they suit caramel lovers.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, place sugar and corn syrup.
- Cook mixture slowly, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves and syrup reaches boiling stage.
- Place a candy thermometer in the pan. Boil syrup, without stirring, over high heat until thermometer registers 300°F.
- Remove from heat; quickly add a few butter bits; return to heat.
- Boil over high heat, stirring constantly, and gradually add remaining butter.
- Add cream slowly while the candy continues to boil; stir constantly to prevent burning and sticking.
- Boil until thermometer registers 246°F to 250°F, depending on desired hardness.
- Add vanilla, stirring only enough to blend.
- Pour candy into a buttered 8 x 11-inch shallow pan.
- Let cool for 4 to 6 hours.
- Turn out of pan and cut into squares with a heavy knife.
- Wrap in wax paper and store in a tin box with a close-fitting lid.
Tips & Substitutions
To ensure your caramels are smooth, use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent burning. If you don’t have heavy whipping cream, you can substitute with half-and-half, but the texture may vary slightly. Make sure to have your butter at room temperature for easier incorporation. Stirring constantly is key to achieving a perfect consistency, so stay attentive during the boiling stages.
Serving Suggestions
These Country Cream Caramels make a delightful treat on their own or can be used as a topping for desserts. They pair beautifully with a warm cup of coffee or tea. For a fun serving suggestion, try drizzling them over ice cream or incorporating them into a homemade Strawberry Cake Filling for an extra special dessert.
Storage & Reheating
Store the cooled caramels in an airtight tin box with a close-fitting lid to keep them fresh. They can be kept at room temperature for up to two weeks. If you need to reheat them for a softer texture, do so gently in the microwave for just a few seconds, being careful not to overheat and lose their shape.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Country Cream Caramels contains roughly 68 calories, with 1g protein, 6g carbohydrates, and 2g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do if my caramels are too hard?
If your caramels turn out too hard, you can soften them by placing them in a sealed container with a slice of bread for a few hours. The moisture from the bread will help to soften the caramels without compromising their flavor.
Can I add nuts or other flavors to the caramels?
Absolutely! You can fold in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts just before pouring the caramel into the pan. Additionally, consider adding a pinch of sea salt or a dash of espresso powder for a unique flavor twist.
How do I prevent the caramels from sticking together?
To prevent sticking, make sure to wrap each caramel individually in wax paper. Also, dusting the cut pieces lightly with powdered sugar can help keep them from adhering to each other.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).