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 is the difference between caramel sauce and caramel candy? ›

Caramel sauce ends up being a soft-set caramel candy in the fridge, and if you let caramel candy sit out in a warm room, it becomes almost a thick caramel sauce. The two are on a continuum that starts with granulated sugar and ends with carbonized sugar.

How to keep melted caramel from hardening? ›

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.

How to soften hard caramel candy? ›

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.

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

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.

Can I use dulce de leche instead of caramel? ›

Can I Use Dulce De Leche and Caramel Interchangeably? Technically, if you see dulce de leche in a recipe, you can instead use caramel, and vice-versa. However, there will be a slight variance in taste and texture, and the recipe will no longer be authentic to the specified region.

Should you stir sugar when making caramel? ›

Swirl, don't stir: While slow, deliberate stirring will help the sugar dissolve evenly, you want to stop stirring once it has fully melted.

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 rescue seized caramel? ›

Add Moisture: If the sugar is melted but you still see a few crystals- sometimes adding some liquid like water or heavy cream to the mixture can help dissolve any sugar crystals that have formed and promote a smoother texture.

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

Drop a small amount of the candy mixture with a teaspoon into a small bowl of cold water. Each time you test the candy use a fresh bowl of cold water. 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 know when soft caramel is done? ›

The caramelization process happens quick, and you want to be there when it's time to remove it from the heat. From golden, the mixture will continue to darken. Pull you pan off of the heat when you see the mixture turn to the color of a shiny copper penny. That's how you know it's done!

How to make caramel set harder? ›

you simply haven't cooked it enough-- possibly your microwave is less powerful (the original recipe doesn't specify a wattage for cooking the caramel) or the butter you used has a higher water content. You could try cooking the mixture for a little longer, and seeing if it sets up firmer.

Can I substitute caramel sauce for caramels? ›

Caramel sauce results either from cooking sugar until it browns or by thinning melted caramel candies. When a recipe calls for melting caramel candies, you can use a homemade caramel sauce to replace the melted caramels.

What's the difference between caramel and caramel caramel? ›

Caramel is the correct spelling if you're talking about food or colors. Carmel is a misspelling when used in those contexts, but it is a word that can be used as a name for people or places.

What's the difference between caramel sauce and caramel syrup? ›

Caramel syrup is thinner and a little sweeter – less rich- than caramel sauce because it is made with just sugar and water. It doesn't have the same richness because there is not butter or cream added.

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