Butter

• Every caramel candy recipe calls for butter. Use the real stuff that comes in sticks for best flavoring.

Evaporated Milk

• Condensed or evaporated milk will also be necessary to the success of your homemade candy. This ingredient offers that smooth texture.

Sugar

• Sugar is the key ingredient of any caramel recipe. Though white sugar is most commonly used, some recipes call for brown. Other recipes ask you to measure regular sugar separately from caramelized sugar. Caramelized sugar is simply sugar heated in a pan until it turns brown. Turn the pan often to prevent burning your sugar.

Water

• Water along with condensed milk keeps sugars from burning. The amount varies depending on the recipe.

Corn Syrup

• Some recipes call for corn syrup as a means of holding your caramel mixture together.

Vanilla Extract

• For a hint of flavor, use a minuscule amount of vanilla extract (one to two tablespoons depending on batch quantity).

Miscellaneous Ingredients

• Depending on your taste buds, add pecans, walnuts, almonds or any other kind of nut. Some caramel lovers add marshmallows or chocolate pieces to their caramel creations. Get creative with your candy making skills.