can i double the recipe?

Yes! Just be sure your pot is large enough, as caramel bubbles up significantly while cooking.

how long do homemade caramels keep?

Wrapped tightly, they keep for 2–3 weeks at room temperature. They also freeze well for a few months.

This usually happens when sugar crystals form on the sides of the pot. Stir gently and avoid scraping the sides while pouring.

Corn syrup helps prevent crystallization and keeps the texture smooth, so I don't recommend skipping it in this recipe.

These soft, buttery salted caramels are easy to make at home, perfect for holiday gifting, and the perfect bite-sized sweet treat!

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Prepare the pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly butter or spray it. Set aside.
Combine ingredients: In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, evaporated milk, heavy cream, corn syrup, butter, and salt.
Heat mixture: Place over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the butter has fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
Cook to temperature: Attach a candy thermometer to the pan (making sure it doesn’t touch the bottom). Stir constantly as the mixture cooks until it reaches 240–243°F (115–117°C). This can take 45–60 minutes — be patient! 🙂
Cool and set: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Immediately pour the caramel into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Wait 10 minutes then sprinkle with the flaky sea salt as desired. Let cool completely at room temperature for several hours or overnight.
Cut and wrap: Once set, cut into your desired shapes with a sharp knife. Wrap individually in wax paper or cellophane wrappers, and enjoy!