Bourbon Caramel Candy Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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Soft chewy salted caramel squares with a hint of bourbon flavor! This Bourbon Caramel Candy Recipeis so easy to prepare, you’ll be happy to make batch after batch for friends and family this holiday season.

Why You’ll Love This Caramel Candy Recipe

One of my biggest thrills of the holiday season is gift-giving.

Receiving a gift is always nice. Yet for me, there’s nothing better than to hand someone a little memento that shows just how much Ilove them.

Gifts don’t always have to be extravagant and costly. Sometimes the gifts that speak the loudest are the ones you made by hand. You’re silently telling the recipient that they are worth your money, your creative energy, and most importantly… your precious time.

That is where homemade candy comes in! I love to make these Bourbon Caramel Candies for all of my loved ones during the holidays. It is SO much better than store-bought candy, and surprisingly easy to make at home!

The crunchy sea salt on top is like a cherry on top. It cuts the sweetness of the caramel and adds a touch of texture!

You’ve heard the sayings “Actions speak louder than words” and “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”

This season, I encourage you to take the time to make one gift. If you’ve never done it before, you’ll be amazed by the impact it leaves on your friends and family.

Priceless.

Every year I spend hours making cookies and candies to package and give to loved ones.

This season among the thumbprintsand fudge, I decided to make something slightly more elegant, yet just as comforting… our newBourbon Salted Caramel Candy Recipe.

I know, I know. Candy-making sounds complicated.

However, I promise you this is the easiest and fastest caramel candy recipe you’ll ever try. Plus each little bite of this BourbonCaramel Candy Recipe is sheer magic in your mouth!

Bourbon Caramel Candy Recipe

The beauty of each little salted caramel is the creamy dreamy texture and taste that comes from ultra silky California dairy and caramelized sugar.

I love using California-made dairy products, because California has such high standards for their dairy industry, that they produce meticulously consistent dairy products. I know when I buy cheeses, milk, cream, and butter with the Real California Milk seal, I’m buying quality.

Bourbon Caramel Candy Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (5)

To make this super-easy, yet luxurious,Bourbon Salted Caramel Candy Recipe start by bringing cream, butter, sugar, bourbon, and corn syrup to a boil.

Using mostly brown sugar gives you a jump-start on the caramelization process, so it takes less time to make.

Place a candy thermometer on the edge of the sauce pot and when the temperature reaches 245 degrees F, test the caramel candy recipe by spooning a little bit into a cup of ice water. The ice water will cool the candy quickly, then you can pick it up and pop it in your mouth to see if it has the flavorand soft chewy texture you like.

If it’s too soft, or isn’t as caramelized as you like, you can simmer it a bit longer and test again.

The alcohol cooks out leaving a hint of boozy essence that give each little salted caramelakiss of something special.

Pour the molten Caramel Candy Recipe into a parchment paper-lined baking dish and cool.

Cut. Generously sprinkle with salt. Then wrap each piece in wax paper so they are easy to pass around.

Upon first taste, your loved onesare going to know just how special they are to you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is caramel candy made of?

If you have never made caramel candy at home, it is made from cream, sugar, butter and vanilla!

How long does homemade caramel candy last?

These easy caramels can be wrapped and stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks!

Can I dip caramel candies in chocolate?

Definitely! To make chocolate caramel candies, dip these caramel squares into melted semi-sweet or milk chocolate.

Looking for More Marvelous Holiday Dessert Recipes?

  • Sugared Cranberries
  • No Bake Peanut Butter Balls
  • Easy Peanut Brittle
  • Dessert Charcuterie Board
  • Tiramisu Cookies

Bourbon Caramel Candy Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (9)

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Bourbon Caramel Candy Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Amazing Bourbon Salted Caramels! This soft chewy caramel candy recipe makes the absolute and easiest salted caramel you'll ever try.

Servings: 80 + caramels

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Place the sugars, heavy cream, butter, corn syrup and bourbon in a large sauce pot. Attach a candy thermometer to the edge of the pot with the tip touching the ingredients, then place over medium heat.

  • Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the mixture to simmer until it reaches 245-260 degrees F andis the desired color you like for caramel. If the temperature starts rising faster than the caramel is browning, lower the heat even more to give it time to caramelize.

  • Meanwhile, line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and cut the corners so it folds into the dish neatly. Spray the parchment with non-stick cooking spray. Then prepare a cup of ice water to test the caramel. Once the caramel reaches at least 245 degrees F, use a spoon to drop a little bit of molten caramel into the ice water. Lift it out and test for texture. It should be firm enough to cut, yet soft enough to chew. If needed, simmer the caramel a little longer, but do not allow it to go over 260 degrees F. Once it's ready, stir in the vanilla extract.

  • Carefully pour the molten caramel into the prepared dish and allow it to cool completely. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the dish in the refrigerator. Once cooled, lift the whole sheet of caramel candy out of the dish by the edges of the parchment paper and cut into 1-inch squares. Sprinkle generously with sea salt, then wrap each candy in small pieces of wax paper.

Notes

Caramels can be wrapped and stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks!

Nutrition

Serving: 1caramel, Calories: 82kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 12mg, Sodium: 26mg, Potassium: 11mg, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 135IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 0mg

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the California Milk Advisory Board. All opinions are my own.

This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.

Bourbon Caramel Candy Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

What temperature is hard caramel candy done? ›

How long to cook caramel to achieve the right texture
TextureTarget temperatureCook time (approx.)
Caramel sauce215 - 235 degrees Fahrenheit5-10 minutes
Chewy caramels245 degrees Fahrenheit10-15 minutes
Hard caramels300 - 310 degrees Fahrenheit15-20 minutes
Oct 14, 2021

How does caramel get hard? ›

The water evaporates, leaving sugar crystals behind. If even one sugar crystal falls back into the pan of cooking caramel, it starts a chain reaction of sugar crystals and the entire pan will harden. The result? Gross, grainy caramel that is unusable in most recipes.

How to soften hard caramel? ›

If caramels are too hard, you can try placing them back in a saucepan, adding a couple tablespoons of water and stirring until the thermometer reads 242°F. Pour back into a prepared buttered pan. If caramels are too soft, that means the temperature didn't get high enough.

How do you know when caramel is done without a thermometer? ›

Here are the steps to tell the temperature without a candy thermometer:
  1. Drop a small amount of the candy mixture with a teaspoon into a small bowl of cold water. ...
  2. If the candy forms a thin thread and does not "ball up", it is in the thread stage or 230°—235°F.

How do you melt caramel without hardening it? ›

The key to getting it right is to use soft caramels as opposed to hard. You must also add some sort of liquid, such as milk or cream, to prevent the caramels from drying out. Knowing these tricks will help you to melt caramels with ease.

Can I melt Werther's hard caramels? ›

Instructions. Melt Werther's Original Caramels with half and half, salt and vanilla in medium saucepan over medium heat until smooth, stirring occasionally. Serve immediately with assorted fruit, cookie, pretzels, marshmallows, nuts or cubed pound cake.

How do you keep caramel soft after melting? ›

If the temperature gets too hot and the caramel becomes too hard as it cools, you can put it back in the pan with a couple of tablespoons of cold water to try and save it.

What happened to Kraft caramels? ›

In a deal that touches the taste buds of several generations, Kraft Foods Inc. will sell the business that makes its familiar cube-shaped caramels. An investment group made up of Texas Pacific Group of Fort Worth and InterWest Partners of Menlo Park, Calif. will buy the Kraft caramel and marshmallow businesses.

How do you liquify solid caramel? ›

To thin caramel, just add some cream or water over heat. Melt caramel loaves in the oven. You can also add corn syrup or lemon juice to caramel sauces to prevent them from crystallizing. It's also a good idea to know how to make caramel in the first place!

What is the difference between hard caramel and soft caramel? ›

If the caramel forms a pliable soft ball, for instance, it's around 240°F. If it forms a hard ball, it's between 250°F to 260°F, etc. Sometimes recipes will even use the descriptors below to specify the stage your caramel should be cooked to.

How to know when caramel is done? ›

You can test to see whether your caramel is done by having a bowl of cold water (we recommend adding ice cubes if you have them to hand) and then using a spoon, remove some of the mixture from the pan, immerse the spoon into the cold water, moving the spoon and then remove from the water and test the caramel with your ...

How hot does a candy thermometer need to be? ›

Insert your candy thermometer in a pot of water so it does not touch the sides or bottom if the pot. Bring the water to a boil. Leave the thermometer in the boiling water for 5 minutes. Check the temperature, the thermometer should read 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celcius).

What temperature does hard candy melt in the oven? ›

Step 2: Arrange the hard candy onto a parchment-covered baking sheet. Create different sizes and color combinations by placing candies near each other in groups. Step 3: Place the baking sheet in a 300°F oven for 8 minutes. Step 4: Remove the candy from the oven as soon as it melts.

What temperature does sugar caramelize at? ›

Caramelization is what happens to pure sugar when it reaches 338° F. A few tablespoons of sugar put in a pan and heated will eventually melt and, at 338° F, start to turn brown. At this temperature, the sugar compounds begin to break down and new compounds form.

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