Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (2024)

There's nothing better than homemade chocolate caramels topped with just a little bit of salt! Easy to make and no candy thermometer needed.

Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (1)

One of my very favorite things about the holiday season is definitely the homemade chocolate caramels.

I absolutely love our microwave caramels (and we make them pretty often at our house!), but I was really in the mood for some chocolate, too.

I remembered some of my favorite chocolate’s from Mrs. Call’s and decided to give it a go making a homemade version myself.

THEY TURNED OUT AMAZING. I had to send them to work with my husband, or else I would have eaten them all in one sitting.

Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (2)

I decided to use our microwave caramels as a base for two reasons:

  1. You don’t need a candy thermometer (which means you have no excuse NOT to make them)
  2. You only need a few ingredients(most of which you probably already have in your pantry)

Ingredients for Homemade Chocolate Caramels:

  • Butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Light brown sugar
  • Light corn syrup
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Milk chocolate chips (you could also use semi-sweet or dark chocolate)
  • Vegetable oil
  • Coarse sea salt (if you’re not a fan of salted caramels, you could easily leave this off)

How to make Homemade Chocolate Caramels:

Step 1: In a microwave safe bowl, combine butter, sugars, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.

Cook for 6 minutes in your microwave, removing and stirring every two minutes.

Make sure you don’t cook the mixture for the full six minutes at once, otherwise it will burn.

Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (3)

Step 2:When caramel is done cooking, pour into a 9×9-inch baking pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

Let cool completely, then cut into squares. It will take about 30 minutes, but you can put it in the fridge to make it set up faster.

*PRO-TIP:To make them easier to cut, run your knife under hot water, and then spray it lightly with cooking spray. That way you’ll get a clean, sharp cut.

Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (4)

Step 3:Set the caramels on a wax-lined baking sheet and make sure they are completely set up before dipping them.

You may want to freeze them for a few minutes to make them easier to work with.

Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (5)

Step 4:In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and vegetable oil in 30 second intervals (stirring in between) until smooth.

Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (6)

Step 5:Dip each caramel square by hand (or you could use a fork) in the chocolate, then place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

Repeat until all caramels have been dipped.

Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (7)

Step 6:Top with coarse sea salt, then let cool until chocolate has hardened.

I drizzled mine with the leftover chocolate I had from dipping, but that’s definitely not necessary.

Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (8)

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Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (9)

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Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (10)

Serves: 20

Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Homemade caramels dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt.

Prep Time 1 hour hr

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 8 minutes mins

PrintPin

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup butter
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 3 cups milk chocolate chips
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt (for topping)

Instructions

  • Combine butter, sugars, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk in a microwaveable safe bowl until smooth.

  • Cook for 6 minutes in your microwave, removing and stirring every two minutes.

  • When caramel is done cooking, pour into a 9 x 9 inch baking pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

  • Let cool completely, then cut into squares.

  • Set the caramels on a wax-lined baking sheet and make sure they are completely set up before dipping them.

  • In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and vegetable oil in 30 second intervals (stirring in between) until smooth.

  • Dip each caramel square in the chocolate, then place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Repeat until all caramels have been dipped.

  • Top with sea salt, then let cool until chocolate has hardened.

Notes

You can use any caramel recipe, but I love this caramel recipe because:

  • You don’t need a candy thermometer
  • You only need a few ingredients(most of which you probably already have in your pantry)

Nutrition

Calories: 113 kcal · Carbohydrates: 21 g · Protein: 1 g · Fat: 3 g · Saturated Fat: 2 g · Cholesterol: 9 mg · Sodium: 153 mg · Potassium: 36 mg · Sugar: 21 g · Vitamin A: 91 IU · Vitamin C: 1 mg · Calcium: 28 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl

  • 9×9-inch baking pan

Recipe Details

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

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Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (11)

Join The Discussion

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  1. Sandy Haire says:

    I made my caramels exactly as the recipe except I used dark brown sugar instead of light. That was all I had. Unfortunately, the caramel was so chewy we were afraid to lose a filling. Did the dark brown sugar make a difference or is there something else that made them so hard?

  2. Cyd says:

    You may have cooked them too long, or your microwave was too hot.

  3. Debbie Naquin says:

    I also followed the recipe exactly. They are dark brown and definitely hurt my teeth....more like very hard glass. I don't know what I could have done differently.

  4. Sherry Brayton says:

    Worked perfectly and so simple!

    Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (12)

  5. Christy says:

    This recipe was very easy. I followed the exact directions and my caramels were soft and chewy.

    Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (13)

  6. Mary says:

    Can you store these in the freezer? How long do they store for?

  7. Momma Cyd says:

    These should store fine in the freezer for a few months. The wrapping is really important. You want to be sure that any candy you freeze is well wrapped. You want to keep ice from building up inside the package.

Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (14)

About The Author:

Steph Loaiza

Steph lives in Southern California with her husband, Andrew, and her five kids: 2 girls and 3 boys. She oversees all of Six Sisters' Stuff products and loves going to Disneyland with her family and reading in her spare time.

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Homemade Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do they put sea salt on caramel? ›

These are sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami. Salted caramel combines two of these, giving an effect that chefs call “flavour layering”. Salt also acts as an enhancer of flavour (that's why you sprinkle it on your chips, for instance), so that's why it makes caramel taste even better.

What is the difference between sea salt caramel and regular caramel? ›

What is the difference between caramel and salted caramel? The only difference between caramel and salted caramel sauce is the addition of salt used in and on the caramel. Caramel is sweet and creamy, while salted caramel is sweet, salty, and creamy.

Can you add sea salt to chocolate? ›

The main benefit in adding sea salt to chocolate is that you are gaining a purer flavour profile. Table salt is mostly iodized and processed to prevent gauter, which results in an artificially-tasting salt. In contrast, Maldon Salt is completely natural in it's processes of being hand-harvested.

How does salt affect caramel? ›

The addition of salt to caramel not only enhances the sweetness, but also adds a savory element to the flavor profile.

Why do people put sea salt on chocolate? ›

Salt accentuates sweetness and suppresses bitterness, while also functioning as a natural enhancer to bring out the flavor in chocolate. Simply adding a touch of salt in chocolate recipes can make the chocolate taste better by balancing out flavours and bringing out many subtle nuances.

What pairs well with sea salt caramel? ›

Sea Salt Caramel

For the sweet and savory dessert lover, always pair your salty with Champagne.

Is sea salt caramel same as butterscotch? ›

Butterscotch and caramel taste very different from each other. Butter scotch is bit harder and as suggested by name is made by brown sugar and butter whereas caramel is softer and made by white granulated sugar with either milk/whipped cream or butter with pinch of vanilla.

Is it better to make caramel with white or brown sugar? ›

Sugar Note: Most chefs say that only granulated sugar can be successfully caramelized; other sugars — such as brown sugar and unrefined sugar such as cane sugar — contain impurities that can inhibit caramelization. It's those impurities that can burn before the sugar has time to caramelize.

What are the three types of caramel? ›

There are many different kinds of caramel, including soft caramels, hard caramels, and chewy caramels. Soft caramels are made with a high proportion of milk or cream, which gives them a soft, creamy texture. Hard caramels, on the other hand, are made with very little milk or cream, and have a harder, crunchier texture.

What does sea salt chocolate taste like? ›

The savory, briny taste of the sea salt complements the rich, creamy sweetness of the chocolate, creating a perfect balance of flavors that dance on your tongue. The crunch of the salt crystals also adds a satisfying texture to the smoothness of the chocolate, creating a truly indulgent experience.

What are the ingredients in sea salt chocolate? ›

INGREDIENTS. Cocoa Beans*+, Cane Sugar*+, Cocoa Butter*+, Sea Salt. Individuals with Food Allergies: Made on equipment that also processes milk, wheat, & tree nuts and in a facility that handles peanuts, eggs, & sesame.

Does sea salt go with milk chocolate? ›

Yes! Find a superior large flake sea salt. The salt portion per bite is a bit more, but the real treat is the crunch. For more decadence, drizzle some caramel on the chocolate then the salt.

Why did my homemade caramel get hard? ›

This can happen if sugar crystals form on the sides of the saucepan or if the sugar syrup is mixed too much while cooking. Adjust the Heat: If the caramel cooked at a high heat, causing it to crystallize or burn, lower the heat for future batches.

Why does my homemade caramel taste bitter? ›

The liquefied sugar is then cooked, without stirring, until it darkens in color, taking on additional flavor notes the longer it remains on the heat. You want to hit the sweet spot here: If the caramel is too light, it won't have much flavor, but if it gets too dark, it will taste burnt and bitter.

Why shouldn't you stir sugar when making caramel? ›

Don't stir the pot

The reason that caramel turns back into sugar crystals and becomes grainy is because too much moisture has been lost in the cooking process. When sugar is dissolved in water it loses its structure and becomes the liquid that develops into caramel.

When did sea salt caramel become a thing? ›

Salted caramel was invented by Henri Le Roux, a French chocolatier and caramélier. The invention took place in the 1970s in Brittany, a region in France famous for its butter and sea salt. Henri Le Roux sought to create a confection that would stand out in the competitive world of French sweets.

What is the point of salted caramel? ›

The richness and sweetness of caramel are beautifully offset by the subtle and savoury notes of salt. The salt acts as a flavour enhancer, intensifying the sweetness and adding depth and complexity to the caramel.

Why do you put sea salt in a recipe? ›

Sea salt is often used as a finishing agent to enhance flavors and add a subtle texture to both savory and sweet dishes, such as seared steaks, roasted vegetables, chocolate chip cookies or tarts.

What is the benefit of salted caramel? ›

Ease Stress & Tension. Healthier Hair & Skin. Strengthen Bones & Teeth. Improve Mood & Libido.

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