Sea Salted Caramels

Makes 3 dozen

1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon sea salt

Butter the sides and bottom of a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Add butter and melt over low heat. Add sugars, corn syrups and cream; mix well.

Raise heat to medium-high and bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium and continue to boil until mixture reaches 248 degrees F (use candy thermometer).

Remove saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Pour caramel immediately into a 9-inch square pan lined with buttered foil. Cool at room temperature until caramel begins to set, sprinkle with sea salt; cool completely.

Use foil to lift caramel out of pan. Butter a large chef’s knife and cut caramel into 1-inch squares. Wrap caramels individually in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of © 2008 Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc. - used with permission