Homemade soft candies are soft, chewy and delicious! Melt in your mouth soft and buttery candies made with only 5 ingredients.
When I first made homemade soft candies, my mind was honestly blown. I couldn’t believe that such a soft and buttery delicious caramel could be made in my kitchen. They make the best holiday gifts or can be served at a holiday party. These candies melt in your mouth and I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t like them. They are really amazing! These are a delicious treat and definitely not my typical Nutritionist Reviews recipe, but doesn’t everyone deserve a little holiday treat? I think so!
**Keep reading for a Taylor Thermometer Giveaway!
The first time I made homemade soft candies a few years ago, I was a little nervous to try making my own homemade chocolate peanut candies. I’ve never made gummies before but it’s pretty easy. I was dreading having to use a food thermometer to make them (100% necessary part of making the candies), but really, really, it’s easy. I’m not good at following recipe directions, which shouldn’t come as a surprise since I’ve made a career out of making homemade and unique recipes, but this one really requires you to follow the steps to get it right.
Ingredients for homemade soft candies
- Unsalted butter
- Thick whipped cream
- Water
- Sugar
- Light corn syrup
- Sea salt (optional)
How to make soft candies
Making soft candies is easy enough, but it does require that you follow the directions carefully and pay close attention to the temperature of the ingredients along the way. I highly recommend using a Taylor thermometer for this recipe because they are my tried and true favorite brand of kitchen thermometers that are easy to use, digital for quick reading, and extremely accurate.
How to store soft candies
I recommend doubling the recipe because it’s almost zero extra work, and since it takes a while to make, you might as well! Wrap them in parchment paper to store and give as gifts. Place them on a cute festive plate and serve at a party. Or, of course, eat them yourself — like I did.
Production efficiency: 30 candies
Homemade soft candies
Homemade soft candies are soft, chewy and delicious! Melt in your mouth soft and buttery candies made with only 4 ingredients.
Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Total time: 30 minutes plus cooling time
INGREDIENTS
- 1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons of water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 fl light corn syrup
- Sprinkle sea salt on top
INSTRUCTIONS
- Take one 9 x 5 inch loaf pan and spray it with non-stick spray. Cut a piece greaseproof paper to fit inside the pan and rise 1 inch on each side. Place parchment on baking sheet and spray with nonstick spray.
- Cut the butter into small pieces and add the cream to a microwave safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until the butter melts.
- In one medium sized saucepanmix the water, corn syrup and sugar carefully so as not to splash the sugar over the sides.
- Heat over medium heat until the sugar boils. Cover with a lid for 1 minute to add moisture to the pan to release the sugar from the sides.
- Use a Taylor thermometer in the saucepan and boil the sugar until it reaches exactly 320 degrees (about 5-10 minutes). The sugar will be a light amber color.
- Just when the sugar is 320 degrees, pour 1/6 of the butter and cream mixture into the pan and stir with your candy thermometer. Continue until all the butter and cream are mixed into the sugar. It will swell up a lot.
- The temperature will drop with the addition of the cream/butter. Continue cooking until the temperature reaches exactly 245 degrees.
- Just when the caramel is 245 degrees, pour it into your pan.
- Let the caramel cool completely for 3 1/2 hours. If desired, sprinkle with sea salt.
- Remove the parchment paper from the pan with the caramel. Use your own the sharpest knife to cut the candies. I like to cut it into 6 x 5 pieces so I ended up with 30 pieces. You can certainly cut it into smaller pieces.
- Wrap candies individually in parchment paper to enjoy later if desired or enjoy immediately.
Enjoy!
Tips:
*If you like a firmer caramel, let your caramel sit longer in the pan to cool until it’s firmer to your liking.
**Follow the directions for this recipe very carefully to make sure it comes out right.
