How to Make the Best Salted Caramels

Salted caramel has the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and buttery flavors. It has a slightly orange shade of brown and a chewy and soft texture. A perfectly made salted caramel should be smooth and not grainy. Plus, it should melt in your mouth. Learn how to make the best salted caramels with Inspired Taste‘s recipe.

RELATED: Caramel Nut Pie Recipe

If your caramel is gritty or grainy, it means that there were too many bits of sugar stuck to the side of the pan while melting. To avoid this from happening, slowly pour in the sugar in the center of your pan, then use a spatula to mix it in. Make sure to avoid touching the sides of the pan.

Another important tool to get perfect salted caramel is the candy thermometer, but other recipes do not require it. Check it out here: 3-Ingredient Caramel Candy

Easy Salted Caramel Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1/4 cup of light corn syrup
• 1 cup of granulated white sugar
• 3 tablespoons of water
• salt

How to Make Salted Caramel

Step 1:

Lightly grease a loaf pan with oil. Cut a piece of parchment paper and lightly oil it as well. Place it inside the greased loaf pan.

Step 2:

Cut the butter into 8 pieces and transfer to a microwave-safe bowl. Add the whipping cream and place the bowl inside the microwave. Melt for 1 minute until melted. Set aside.

Step 3:

Add 3 tablespoons of water in a small saucepan, followed by the light corn syrup. Add the sugar into the saucepan but try your best not to splatter the sugar to the sides of the pan. Use a spatula to stir the sugar into the water and corn syrup. Set the heat to medium and bring it to a boil.

Step 4:

Once it is boiling, make sure there aren’t any sugar crystals on the sides of the pan, since this can cause crystallization and make your caramel grainy. Cover with the lid for about 1 minute. Cook the sugar until it reaches 320F. It should have a light amber color.

Step 5:

Slowly add the butter and cream mixture in small batches, then use the candy thermometer to stir it in. The caramel will bubble violently. Do this slowly and carefully. Place the candy thermometer back onto the side of the pan and cook the caramel until 240F.

If you want your caramel to be hard, cook to 245F.

Step 6:

Pour the caramel into the prepared loaf pan. Let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes. While you wait, it’s best to clean your pot and candy thermometer. Fill it with water and bring the water to a boil to melt the caramel.

Step 7:

After 20 minutes, sprinkle salt on top of the caramel. Let it sit for 3 to 4 hours until firmed up. Unmold the caramel and cut into squares before serving. Enjoy!

How to Make the Best Salted Caramels