Pumpkin Spice Microwave Caramels Recipe
These Pumpkin Spice Microwave Caramels are a quick and delicious treat perfect for autumn. Infused with warm pumpkin pie spice and rich vanilla, these homemade caramels come together effortlessly in the microwave, offering a chewy and flavorful delight without the hassle of traditional stovetop candy-making.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 17 minutes
- Yield: 16 pieces 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: Microwaving
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Caramel Base
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish thoroughly and set aside. This step is important because the caramel will need to be poured and set quickly once cooked.
- Melt Butter: In a large microwave-safe bowl (choose a large one to prevent overflow as the caramel bubbles), melt the unsalted butter by microwaving it until fully liquified.
- Mix Ingredients: Whisk in the light corn syrup, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and sweetened condensed milk into the melted butter until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Microwave Cooking: Place the bowl in the microwave and cook the mixture on high for 7 minutes without stirring or interrupting; the mixture will bubble up and cook evenly this way.
- Add Flavorings: Carefully remove the hot bowl from the microwave and immediately whisk in the vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice while the caramel is still bubbling for optimal flavor infusion.
- Pour and Smooth: Pour the hot caramel mixture into the prepared baking dish carefully and smooth the surface evenly to ensure uniform thickness.
- Chill: Place the baking dish in the refrigerator and allow the caramel to chill and set for at least 1 hour until firm and chewy.
- Serve: Once set, optionally sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on top, then cut the caramel into chewy squares and enjoy.
Notes
- Use a large microwave-safe bowl to prevent the caramel from bubbling over during cooking.
- Do not stir the caramel mixture during microwaving to allow it to cook evenly.
- Let the caramel chill completely before cutting to ensure clean squares.
- Store leftover caramels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- For a stronger pumpkin spice flavor, feel free to increase the pumpkin pie spice to 1½ teaspoons.
Keywords: pumpkin spice caramels, microwave caramels, pumpkin pie spice candy, homemade caramel recipe, autumn treats
