Whether you’re making caramel candies or drizzling the sweet sauce over a particularly decadent batch of brownies, nothing beats homemade caramel. Making perfect caramel takes a bit of an artistic touch with a dash of science. We’re breaking down the steps for how to make caramel so you can finally get it right.
Wet vs. Dry Caramel
There are two methods for making caramel. Dry caramel is made by heating sugar in a pan while wet caramel adds water to the equation. Wet caramel is indisputably the safer of the two. It has a deeper flavor and is less likely to burn, but the downside is that if you’re not careful, it can crystallize. Thankfully, this is fairly easy to avoid.
How to Avoid Grainy Caramel
Before you pull out your saucepan, we need to address the first rule of making caramel from scratch. Do not stir your caramel. We know. It’s tempting to grab a spoon to give the mix a whirl, but doing so can cause a gooey, sticky disaster, possibly ruining your pan in the process.
If you stir your caramel once it’s simmering, you could wind up with crystallized chunks that resemble rock candy rather than the gorgeous, smooth caramel you’re after. While the sugar molecules won’t crystallize in water, if you splash a little of your sugar-water solution on the sides of your saucepan, the water will evaporate and form sugar crystals. Because sugar is prone to bonding, this will trigger a reaction and that lovely caramel sauce you’ve been working on will become grainy.
Worried about uneven heating? Use a heavy-bottomed pot to evenly heat your caramel. You won’t get hot spots which can cause the sugar to burn. Be sure to check out these other common mistakes people make with caramel, too.
Tips for Preventing Crystallization in Your Caramel
There are a few other things besides not stirring (seriously, put the spoon down) that can help ensure glossy caramel:
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the mix. A little lemon juice will help prevent crystallization.
- Swap out some of the sugar in your recipe for corn syrup. Glucose, the main sugar molecule in corn syrup, doesn’t crystallize the same way as sucrose, the main molecule in regular sugar. Adding corn syrup dilutes the concentration and helps keep your caramel, well, caramel-y—just what you want when you’re making caramel apples this autumn. For every cup of sugar in your recipe, sub in one tablespoon corn syrup.
- Once your caramel starts to change color, give the saucepan a gentle swirl to make sure it’s cooking evenly. Keep swirling occasionally until the caramel reaches the color you want. Remember, the darker the color, the more intense the flavor.
Now you know the essentials for making perfect caramel, you’ll want to check out these indulgent chocolate caramel recipes.
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Salted Caramel Cappuccino Cheesecake
After spending years living in Seattle, I’ve become a coffee junkie! I had to relocate across the country for a time, so I created this cheesecake with the flavors of salted caramel, coffee and espresso. It lifted me up on days when I felt blue about leaving one of the world’s great coffee destinations. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Frosted Turtle Brownies
Homemade brownies are a sweet addition to the appetizer table on game day. Your guests might forget the score, but I guarantee they'll remember these treats! —Sherry Miller, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
Mini Chocolate Cakes with Caramelized Bananas
This was one of my first times spreading my wings with a recipe and trying to go a bit fancy. This is a breeze to make and a delight to serve. The recipe may look intimidating but after you try it once, you'll have it down pat. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Chocolate Caramels
When I was growing up, my mom made these delicious candies every Christmas. They were my favorite then and still are today. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Chocolate Caramel Wafers
To keep my holiday cooking quick, I've come to rely on fast recipes like this one. The crunchy-chewy tidbits are our youngster's favorite.
Salted Dark Chocolate Tart
When I was little, my grandpa always had a bag of caramels in his truck and a few in his pocket. Whether we were camping or going to a movie, I enjoyed sharing caramels with him. Now I try to put caramel in as many of my desserts as possible, including this sweet and salty tart. —Leah Tackitt, Austin, Texas
Caramel-Pecan Mocha Layer Cake
My version of a prize-winning chocolate cake is irresistible, especially when the rich caramel sauce oozes down the sides. —Judy Castranova, New Bern, North Carolina
Behr Track Cookie Bars
The holidays are the perfect time to indulge in these ooey-gooey, salty-sweet peanut butter bars. A lot of people comment that the pretzels in the filling are a pleasant surprise. Just make sure to cut cookie bars small—they're super rich. —Megan Behr, Marion, Iowa
Fudgy Turtle Pie
Everyone needs a truly decadent dessert recipe. We love to mix chocolate, caramel and crunchy candy bits in a pie that’s ooey-gooey fabulous. —Dolores Vaccaro, Pueblo, Colorado
Turtle Chips
Salty-sweet, crunchy-chewy, so many sensations in one delectable bite. This is the absolute easiest recipe to make! Both kids and adults will be reaching for this goodie. —Leigh Ann Stewart, Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Easy Mocha Cream Pie
This chocolate crust is excellent with a cool no-bake mocha filling. — Gina Nistico, Taste of Home Food Editor
Favorite Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Tart
I grew up in Louisiana where, as in most of the South, pecan pie is a staple. this tart variation is extra good because it includes chocolate. I decided to up the decadence even more by adding bourbon and drizzling some caramel on top. —Amber Needham, San Antonio, Texas
Crazy Halloween Blondies
I have a real sweet tooth, so Halloween is my favorite holiday. I came up with these bars for my kids, but I think I like them even more than they do! —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Salted Caramel Cookie Cups
When I brought these salty sweet cookies to a potluck, I overheard people talking about how wonderful they were. I'm not sure if it was the cookie, the caramel or the chocolate that they loved best.—Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Dark Chocolate-Caramel Macchiato Pie
One of my first entries in the National Pie Championship was this impressive pie with coffee flavor and cool chocolate curls on top. —Amy Mills, Sebring, Florida
Peanut Butter Cheesecake Ice Cream
Want something cool and refreshing after your holiday feast? Serve generous slices of a rich, frosty dessert featuring peanuts, cookies and drizzled ice cream toppings.—TerryAnn Moore, Vineland, New Jersey
Chocolate Caramel Hazelnut Pie
I love chocolate, caramel and hazelnuts so I came up with a recipe that has all three. If you don't have a food processor, place crust ingredients in a zip-top freezer bag and smash with a rolling pin. —Debbie Anderson, Mount Angel, Oregon
Gourmet Caramel Apples
These drizzled confections look gorgeous and taste over-the-top yummy. With peanut butter flavor and a salty burst, they'll be the treats you can't wait to make each year. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Jamaican Chocolate Cookies with Caramel Creme
I made these for an office party cookie contest—and not a crumb was left on the platter! Sweet potatoes are the secret ingredient. Canned sweet potatoes will work, too, if you're short on time. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Chai Truffle Tart
My chai-flavored tart boasts chocolate and caramel layers tucked inside a salty pretzel crust. Truffles on top make it extra indulgent. —Chantal Bourbon, Montreal, Quebec
Salted Peanut Rolls
A Christmas gift of homemade candy is always a hit with sweet tooths. I dip these peanut rolls in chocolate, but they're yummy plain, too. —Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba
Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes
You only need a few baking staples to throw together these gooey delights. Boxed cake mix and a can of frosting make them fast, but caramel, walnuts and chocolate chips tucked inside make them memorable. We like them with ice cream. —Bev Spain, Belleville, Ohio
Chocolate Chip Caramel Rolls
As a teenager, I keep active with sports and friends. But baking is my favorite hobby. My five older brothers eat these delicious breakfast rolls right out of the oven! —Julia Holm, Northfield, Minnesota
Chocolate Spice Cake with Caramel Icing
I found this recipe back in the late '80s and knew it was a special cake. The caramel icing can be a little tricky because you have to work quickly, but it's so worth it! —Mariann James, Ferguson, Missouri
Caramel Brownies
I love to cook. My family can't possibly eat all the sweets I whip up, so my co-workers are more than happy to sample them—particularly these rich, chewy brownies that are full of gooey caramel, chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts. —Clara Bakke, Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Caramel Pecan Shortbread
My grandchildren look for Grandma's "candy bar cookies" every Christmas. I recommend doubling the recipe for these sweet treats because they go so fast. —Dorothy Buiter, Worth, Illinois
Pumpkin Caramel Cupcakes
Not only do kids love to eat these cupcakes, they can help bake them, too. To make things even easier, we like to dunk them in premade caramel apple dip instead of using frosting. —Donna Schaab, Belleville, Illinois
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Monkey Bread
Time to give rum cake a little competition! If this boozy take on monkey bread is too strong for your taste, cut back on the bourbon or use milk as a non-alcoholic substitute. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Peanut Butter Caramel Bars
When my husband and our three sons sit down to dinner, they ask, "What's for dessert?" I have a happy group of guys when I report that these rich bars are on the menu. They're chockfull of yummy ingredients. —Lee Ann Karnowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Creamy Coffee Pie
It’s easy to stir mini marshmallows, mini chocolate chips and crushed sandwich cookies into coffee ice cream to create this irresistible frozen dessert. —Cherron Nagel, Columbus, Ohio
Chocolate Pecan Caramels
I haven't missed a year making this candy for the holidays since a friend gave me the recipe in 1964! It is made like a pan of upside-down bars and tastes like my favorite caramel pecan candies. We are natives of the Lone Star State who moved to Ohio when my husband was transferred several years ago. —June Humphrey, Strongsville, Ohio
Caramel Peanut Fantasy
Packed with peanuts and gooey with caramel, this do-ahead treat is one sweet dream of a dessert to serve company. With an easy cookie crust and scrumptious candy bar layers, it goes together quickly—and will disappear just as fast! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints
Covered in chopped nuts and drizzled with chocolate, these cookies are delicious and pretty, too. Everybody looks forward to munching on them during the holidays. —Elizabeth Marino, San Juan Capistrano, California
Contest-Winning Chocolate Potato Cake
I won grand champion honors in a potato festival baking contest with this moist chocolate cake. The icing recipe can be doubled for real sweet tooths. A great-grandma, I've spent over 85 years on the farm.
Gooey Chocolate Caramel Bars
These rich, gooey bars are my most requested treats. They're popular at school functions, family barbecues and picnics. We like them alone or topped off with a scoop of ice cream. —Betty Hagerty, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Caramel Chocolate Trifle
A highlight of our annual family reunion is the dessert competition. The judges take their jobs very seriously! Last year's first-place winner was this tempting trifle.—Barb Hausey, Independence, Missouri
Turtle Praline Tart
This rich dessert is my own creation, and I'm very proud of it. It's easy enough to make for everyday meals but special enough to serve guests or take to a potluck. —Kathy Specht, Clinton, Montana
Candy Bar Fudge
My manager at work, who knows I like to try new treat recipes, shared this one with me. I've made this chewy and chocolaty fudge many times since. Packed with nuts and caramel, it's like a candy bar. Everyone who's tried it loves it. —Lois Freeman, Oxford, Michigan
Turtle Cookie Cups
The gooey caramel pairs wonderfully with crunchy pecans. For a twist, use white chocolate chips in the cups and drizzle with white chocolate. — Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
Layered Turtle Cheesecake
After receiving a request for a special turtle cheesecake and not finding a good recipe, I created my own. Everyone is thrilled with the results and this cheesecake remains a favorite at the coffee shop where I work. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Chocolate Caramel Kiss Cookies
I make this cookie every Christmas with my family. It’s a fun twist on a classic peanut butter blossom because of the cinnamon in the batter and the caramel kiss on top. We love the cinnamon-caramel combination, but you could switch out the kiss with a different festive flavor. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
Chocolate Salted Caramel Bars
I love to experiment with different recipes and combine classic and new flavors. I've been making this shortbread for over 20 years and finally have found the perfect pairing! I love the new craze, salted caramel, and of course I love dark chocolate, so I layered these two flavors with my favorite shortbread crust. It's melt-in-your-mouth good, and it is quickly becoming a favorite with my family, friends and customers! For even more gooey goodness, drizzle bottled caramel sauce over top. —Lisa Glenn, Sarasota, Florida
Turtle Tart with Caramel Sauce
Between the creamy filling, crispy crust and gooey caramel sauce, there's a lot to love about this tart. Plus, you can make it two to three days in advance. One of my daughters even asks for this instead of cake on her birthday. —Leah Davis, Morrow, Ohio
Caramel Peanut Bars
Rich chocolate, crunchy peanuts and gooey caramel peek out from between golden oat and crumb layers. Delicious!—Ardyce Piehl, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Chocolate Billionaires
I received this recipe from a friend while living in Texas. When we moved, I was sure to take the recipe with me. Everyone raves about these chocolate and caramel candies. —June Humphrey, Strongsville, Ohio
Chocolate-Caramel Rum Coffee
This decadent coffee drink can stand alone as a final course or as a delightful complement to any chocolate or caramel dessert. Our family loves it after a special dinner or just for sipping in front of the fireplace. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio
Salted Caramel & Dark Chocolate Figs
Here’s a special appetizer that won’t last long! Fruit, caramel and rich dark chocolate add a sweet touch to this grown-up dipped fruit. —Simple & Delicious Test Kitchen
Turtle Pumpkin Cheesecake
When it comes to Thanksgiving desserts, I can never decide which one I like best: pumpkin pie or cheesecake? So, I decided to put the two together—with a special twist—and got this delicious result. —Yvonne Starlin, Hermitage, Tennessee
Gooey Caramel-Topped Gingersnaps
Making these cookies is therapeutic for me. I often watch a movie while I put them together. I take a lot of cookies to fundraisers, and these gingersnaps are quite popular. If you'd like, you can make variations by changing the cookie base or varying the nuts. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Chocolate Caramel Turkey Legs
Mention turkey legs made of pretzels and chocolate, and the kids come running. Let them help by unwrapping caramels for this easy, no-bake treat. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Peanut Caramel Brownie Bites
With their three decadent layers, these brownies are my family's absolute favorite. —Ella Agans, Birch Tree, Missouri
Creamy Caramel Mocha
Indulge in a coffeehouse-quality drink with this caramel mocha recipe. With whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle, this treat will perk up even the sleepiest person at the table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Turtle Cookies
Our special ed class developed these fudgy turtle cookies. We have a cookie club teachers can pay to join, and members give this cookie two thumbs up. —Debbie Ethridge, Bentonville, Arkansas
White Chocolate Macadamia Bread Pudding
Homey, cozy, comforting, indulgent...this rich bread pudding represents everything I love about the holidays. For an elegant look, serve it in martini glasses. —Barb Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota
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Camille Berry