This recipe for microwave caramels is an impressive treat that’s ready in just minutes. Dip the caramels in chocolate and top them with a generous sprinkle of sea salt for a special holiday dessert.
There’s nothing better than a homemade gift for the holidays. I like to cook up some batches of sweet Christmas recipes like rum balls, chocolate covered pretzels, s’mores fudge and chocolate covered cherries to give to family and friends.
I am so excited to share this recipe for sea salt microwave caramels with you today! In a matter of minutes I was able to whip up these beautiful and delicious treats that look like they came straight from the candy store. All you need is a handful of simple ingredients and you too can have perfect caramels without having to use a candy thermometer or other complicated equipment.
Table of Contents
Microwave Caramels Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, light corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract and coarse sea salt. If you’re planning to dip your caramels in chocolate, you will also need semisweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate candy melts.
How Do You Make Microwave Caramels?
Place the butter, sugars, corn syrup, condensed milk and vanilla in a large bowl that is microwave safe. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, then coat the parchment with cooking spray. Microwave the butter and sugar mixture, stirring every 2 minutes. Pour the caramel into the pan, and sprinkle sea salt on top. If you’re planning to dip the caramels in chocolate, wait to add the salt later. Let the caramel chill in the fridge until firm. Lift the caramels from the baking dish with the sides of the parchment. Cut the caramel into squares with a sharp knife. You can serve them as-is, or dip them in melted chocolate. If you choose to dip them in chocolate, add the salt on top while the chocolate is still wet.
Tips For The Perfect Candy
- Be sure to use a large bowl, as the caramel mixture will bubble vigorously in the microwave and you don’t want it to spill over.
- You’ll need to stir the mixture every 2 minutes during the cooking process. It’s important to stir thoroughly so that the caramels will end up smooth and shiny.
- The cook time for this recipe is 6-7 minutes. If you cook your caramels for 6 minutes, they’ll be on the softer side, perfect for wrapping in wax paper. The caramels pictured here were cooked for 7 minutes. They are on the firmer side.
- I like to do half plain caramels, half dipped in chocolate so that there are options to please everyone.
- You can use unsalted butter or salted butter. I’ve tested the recipe both ways and either works great!
Quick Tip
The sea salt should be sprinkled over the caramels right after they’re poured in the pan so that the salt will adhere to the tops.
Recipe FAQs
It takes about 30 minutes for melted caramel to harden in the refrigerator. I typically leave my microwave caramels in the fridge for at least 1 hour because they are easier to cut when very firm.
Dulce de leche is made by slow simmering sugar and milk until it caramelizes. It also has a soft, spreadable consistency. Caramel comes in many shapes and forms, but it is a result of boiling sugar and water with other ingredients such as butter, corn syrup, heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk.
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Flavor Variations
While this recipe is delicious as-is, you can easily customize some of the ingredients to suit your tastes.
- Caramel: Feel free to stir some flavorings into the finished caramel mixture before you pour it into the pan. Some great options include crushed pecans, almond extract or some holiday spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Chocolate: No semisweet chocolate on hand? Use white chocolate or milk chocolate instead. You can also do a drizzle of chocolate rather than a full dip.
- Toppings: Instead of sea salt, try topping your candies with crushed cocoa nibs, minced nuts, holiday sprinkles or finely shredded coconut.
These homemade microwave caramels make the perfect holiday gift, and they’re a fun and festive addition to any dessert table.
More Holiday Candy Recipes
Rocky Road Fudge
12 mins
Peppermint Patties Recipe
11 mins
Crock Pot Candy
1 hr 35 mins
Candy Cane Hearts
16 mins
Buckeye Balls (Peanut Butter Balls)
1 hr 2 mins
Microwave Caramels Video
Love This Recipe?
Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
Microwave Caramels with Sea Salt
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- optional: 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips or dark candy melts, melted
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Place the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, condensed milk and vanilla in a large microwave safe bowl.
- Line an 8 or 9 inch loaf pan with parchment paper and coat the pan with cooking spray.
- Place the bowl in the microwave. Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring thoroughly every 2 minutes. A 6 minute cook time will produce a softer caramel; 7 minutes will produce a firmer caramel.
- Pour the caramel into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the coarse sea salt over the caramel. If you’re planning to coat the caramels in chocolate, do not add the salt until later after the caramels have been dipped.
- Let the caramel cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or until firm. Carefully remove the slab of caramel from the pan and cut into 1 1/2 inch squares.
- If desired, dip the caramels in melted chocolate. If you dip the caramels in chocolate, sprinkle the sea salt over the top before the chocolate has set. Let the chocolate set, then serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Be sure to use an oversized bowl, as the caramel mixture will bubble vigorously in the microwave and you don’t want it to spill over.
- You’ll need to stir the mixture every 2 minutes during the cooking process. It’s important to stir thoroughly so that the caramels will end up smooth and shiny.
The combination of the sweet caramel and the hint of sea salt is pure perfection. They’re so easy to make in the microwave too! I can’t get enough of them!
I love it!! Thanks so much for simplifying the process of making caramels by using a microwave.
I’ve always avoided making caramel because it is such a pain in the butt – but this was seriously the EASIEST caramel recipe I have ever come across. It came out perfect, and was so soft and chewy, omg.
I am obsessed with these caramels! They are utter perfection and I love that I can make them in the microwave. Thanks for another great recipe!
This is a brilliant idea and so i tried it. Excellent and I was happy with the outcome. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Its my go to caramel recipe from now on.
These caramels were sooo good! We’re going to make another batch as teacher gifts for Christmas.
So ridiculously easy, and the texture and flavour were spot on! Made them for my nieces and nephews visiting, but have to admit, my husband and I ate most of them before they arrived! This recipe is definitely a keeper 🙂
I had no idea it was so easy to make the most perfect caramels in the microwave in just minutes! These turned out perfectly – just as good as my favorite chocolate shop’s caramels. We loved these delicious treats!
Looks delicious! How long do they last?
They should be good for a week in an airtight container!
I doubled this recipe and cooked in 4 intervals of 3 minutes and 1 final interval of 2 minutes stirring in betl0ween each time. This was in a 1200 wat microwave. Absolutely perfect!!! Thank u for this ❤
Can sea salt be added directly to the caramel?
Yes that’s fine!
Ok so I was distracted yesterday when I made these again. They came out beautifully but I think i put a little 2 much corn syrup. I can taste it lol. Is there a way I can fix it or counteract the flavor? Still rating this 5 stars. It was my screw up.
You could try adding a bit more salt but I can’t think of another solution!
This seems so easy! Thanks for the recipe. I will definitely use it!
I have made this recipe several times and in big batches. It turns out great everytime. I’m actually making another batch today!!! They never last long in my house lol. Would be great as a gift too.
Made these for Father’s Day. They were a huge hit! You can’t add. too much sea salt – it really helps the flavor come out!! I prefer 6 minutes. 7 made them hard to cut – but still very tasty! Made with chocolate & plain – loved both!
Absolutely LOVE this recipe. Found it while looking for EASY recipes I could whip up for my son’s gifts to give co-workers.
I didn’t have any corn syrup so I substituted CANE syrup in the same amount. Came out GREAT & tasted like pecan pie filling that I love.
Couple things: I would add I would put the mixture in a bowl 3-4 times the volume because I put it in a large glass measuring cup & it boiled over. Also living in the South (and it stormed overnite) I needed to cook it about 30 seconds longer otherwise they got sticky, no biggie just ate with a spoon.
Thank you for publishing this AWESOME recipe!