You guys these truly are the Easiest 3 Ingredient Microwave Caramels EVER! It takes one minute to cook these caramels in the microwave and three…that’s right, three ingredients! What’s even better than a one minute, three-ingredient candy? You will never know 3 Ingredient Microwave Caramels are this easy to make because they are every bit as tasty as any other caramel!
My husband LOVES caramels, like a lot! The only problem is that I don’t just love making candy that involves a candy thermometer! So I’m always on the hunt for a great caramel recipe that’s fast and easy to make. Heck, I just need a recipe so I can hurry up and make him caramels so I can say I’m a good wifey!
A few years ago I started making Perfect Microwave Caramels and they are really, really delicious! They are everything a caramel should be without the fuss of stirring and watching and waiting for the caramel to come to a boil, blah, blah, blah!
This year I must be getting even lazier or busier or something. Let’s just say busier! That sounds better. I wanted a caramel recipe that was even easier than my Microwave Caramels. I know…how does it get any easier than popping a few ingredients in the microwave right?
The other day while I was riding the treadmill I came up with this idea to make caramels out of white chocolate chips, dulce de leche and vanilla. Boy was I on to something! My idea got even better when I realized all I need to do was pop these in the microwave for one minute! One measly minute! Then let them sit while I go about my day, come back and cut the caramels into squares. Of course, you can salt them if you want! Yum!
Watch my video to why these are the easiest 3 Ingredient Microwave Caramels ever! Seriously, my 4th grader could handle this!
So if you have a bunch of presents stowed under a blanket in your room that need to be wrapped, you have laundry sitting in the dryer ready to be folded, a kid that needs help with algebra (why have I forgotten about all the inequality rules), your husband is begging you for caramels, and you actually just wish you had time to go to the bathroom…these Easiest Vanilla Caramels are exactly what you are looking for!
Honestly, the hardest part about this candy recipe was trying to decide what to name it. Easiest Vanilla Caramels, Easiest Microwave Caramels, 3 ingredient Caramels, No Candy Thermometer Needed Caramels, White Chocolate Caramels? Gosh, I just couldn’t decide!
I guess Easiest 3 Ingredient Microwave Caramels it is! Long name for a short recipe!
Merry Christmas everyone! And for heaven’s sake make yourself some caramels to munch on before you start wrapping all those Christmas presents and trying to do the math!
3 Ingredient Microwave Caramels
Ingredients
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 14 ounce dulce de leche
- 1 tsp Vanilla
Instructions
- Line a 9 x 9 baking dish with wax paper or grease pan.
- Add white chocolate chips and dulce de leche to a microwave safe mixing bowl. Stir to coat.
- Microwave on high for 1 minute.
- Remove from microwave and stir until melted. If they chocolate chips aren’t completely melted you may need to microwave for 10 more seconds, then stir. Repeat until melted and smooth. Add vanilla. Stir.
- Pour into prepared baking dish. Spread to edges.
- Let sit until firm. I put it in the fridge for about 3 hours.
- Cut into bite size pieces. Store leftovers in the fridge.
Nutrition
Jerry Zee says
Thank yoi for your reply. It’s obvious that i am a novice at this. As you suggested, I increased the microwave time to 1min 15 sec and refrigerated for 3 hours. My caramels are still sticky extremely difficult to cut and separate. Do you think the chocolate makes a difference? I used Liebers white chocolate chips. What white chocolate do you use?
Amy Engberson says
I’m not familiar with Lieber’s chocolate chips, but just read about them online. It looks like they might be different than traditional chocolate chips and might be causing a problem. I’d try making this recipe with Nestle or Ghirardelli chocolate chips.
Jerry Zee says
I tried this recipe and my caramel was sticky and very soft. Very difficult to cut. I don’t know what i did wrong
Amy Engberson says
This is a soft almost fudge like caramel. Microwave ovens vary so much that you might have needed to cook the caramel a little bit longer than one minute. Did you refrigerate it for up to three hours? It definitely needs time to cool and set up.
KATHLEEN MCALPINE says
I have a bag of Kraft Caramels , those wrapped squares . How would I use this in a microwave caramel recipe?
Amy Engberson says
I’m all about experimenting so you can try melting the caramels until you have 14 ounces of melted caramels and using it instead of the dulce de leche. But, I’m actually skeptical it will work since they aren’t the same product. I recommend using the dulce de leche. Let me know if you try it!
Dianne says
I am not a cook so what is dulcet de leche & where do you buy it
Amy Engberson says
It is found in the baking aisle at the grocery store and can be found right by the sweetened condensed milk. It’s in a short can. Here’s an amazon link https://amzn.to/3NGvJSD
Kathleen says
I didn’t see where you added the vanilla???
Amy Engberson says
Sorry! I just updated the recipe card to include instructions for adding vanilla. As soon as the chocolate chips are melted and smooth it can be added! Enjoy!
Jessica | Novice Chef says
These have to be the easiest caramels ever!
Amy Engberson says
They really are! And December deserves at least a few easy recipes right?
Sues says
I can’t believe how easy these are!! So perfect for holiday gifts 🙂
Jennifer says
I love how easy these are to make! Homemade caramels are the best!
Amy Engberson says
Me too! Sometimes I don’t have time for more than this, and sometimes I don’t want to stand in the kitchen babysitting caramels all day. Now I can have caramels and the afternoon to myself to boot!
Charlotte | Sweet Sundays says
The simplicity of these caramels is too good to pass up. Can’t wait to try these out on my husband 🙂
Amy Engberson says
I have a feeling he’s going to love them! Mine does!
Amanda says
I love easy homemade candy, and these definitely fit the bill!
Amy Engberson says
Who has time for much more than this? Especially if you can have this with very little effort!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
These are so wonderful. I love how easy they are to make!
Amy Engberson says
Thanks! Easy is the name of my game most days!
Demeter says
What an easy way to satisfy a craving! Just in time for the holidays!
Amy Engberson says
And don’t those cravings pop up consantly this time of the year!
Jen says
I’m definitely busier so this is perfect for me! They look incredible!
Amy Engberson says
Life has a way of getting out of control really fast doesn’t it! Definitely take some time, well only about 5 minutes, for yourself and make a batch of this candy!
Jessica Levinson says
I love how easy this is! Such a delicious holiday treat!
Amy Engberson says
These are the easiest thing in the world to make! And so yummy!
Demeter says
These microwave caramels look amazing! What a fun and tasty treat that’s just PERFECT for the holidays! Love it!
Amy Engberson says
I agree! They are just the treat to add to holiday gatherings, neighbor plates, or for pretty much any reason!
Elizabeth says
These would make for fantastic Christmas gifts, these! They look so yummy!
Amy Engberson says
I would be happy if someone brought them to me! Love the idea!
Alyssa says
These are gorgeous! They look like fudge — do they have a fudgy texture?
Amy Engberson says
They do have a fudgy texture but they taste like caramels! So yummy!
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
It definitely doesn’t get any easier then that! Love that it only requires 3 ingredients and one minute. Great for a last minute Christmas treat!
Amy Engberson says
Christmas deserves at least a few really easy, yet yummy, treats!
Dana says
Do you think this would work similarly with semi-sweet chips? Chocolate and caramel is such a delicious combo…
Love your blog and videos!!
Amy Engberson says
Hi Dana! Thanks for stopping by! I’m kind of new at videoing and see much room for improvement! It’s fun though! Yes, you can easily make these with semi sweet chocolate chips and it would be every bit as yummy! It would just be chocolate flavored instead of vanilla flavored! Let me know if you try it!