Walnut Caramels

Name: Walnut Caramels
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 3-3/4 pounds (117 pieces).
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons butter; 1/3 cup butter, cubed; 2 cups sugar; 2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided; 1 cup light corn syrup; 1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

My grandmother was the queen of care packages. The Christmas season didn't start until the mail carrier arrived with her anticipated box of goodies. These caramels are my father’s favorite. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Ingredients

2 teaspoons butter
1/3 cup butter, cubed
2 cups sugar
2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
1 cup light corn syrup
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Line a 13x9-in. pan with foil; grease foil with 2 teaspoons butter.
In a large heavy saucepan, combine cubed butter, sugar, 1 cup cream and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage). Stir in remaining cream very slowly so that mixture does not stop boiling.
Using a pastry brush dipped in water, wash down the sides of the pan to eliminate sugar crystals. Cook and stir until thermometer reads 245° (firm-ball stage).
Remove from heat; stir in walnuts and vanilla. Immediately pour into prepared pan (do not scrape saucepan). Let stand until firm, about 5 hours or overnight.
Using foil, lift candy out of pan; remove foil. Using a buttered knife, cut caramel into 1-in. squares. Wrap individually in waxed paper; twist ends.

Editor's Note

We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212°. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.

Originally published as Walnut Caramels in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2015