This recipe will show you How to Melt Caramels to make caramel dipped apples, melted caramel sauce, and other caramel treats the easy way. This method takes just a few minutes and uses only soft caramel candies and a splash of water.
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How to Melt Caramel for Apples and More
Learning How to Melt Caramel in the microwave will give you a quick and easy way to make a wide variety of caramel treats with very minimal effort. You can use melted caramels to make dipped candy apples, fillings for brownies, caramel sauce, caramel popcorn, and so much more.
Probably the most difficult step is the tedious task of unwrapping each caramel candy. Otherwise, all you need to do is place them in a microwave safe bowl or a saucepan on the stove, add a splash of water, milk, or cream, and heat until melted and smooth. The looser you need the caramel to be, the more liquid you need to add.
Sure, nothing can compete with Homemade Caramel Sauce, but when quick and easy is your priority, this is the absolute best way to melt caramel.
Ingredients for Melting Caramels
- Caramel Candies - any kind of wrapped soft caramels will melt perfectly in the microwave or on the stovetop. Make sure to unwrap them first!
- Water - the caramel stays slightly soft if you add a touch of water while melting. You could also use cream or milk instead of water. The more you add, the thinner and softer the caramel will be so depending on what you plan to use it for, you may need to add anywhere from 1-4 tablespoons to get your desired consistency.
How to Melt Caramels
How to Melt Caramel In the Microwave
- Place unwrapped caramels in a microwave safe bowl along with 1 tablespoon of water.
- Microwave on high for about 1 minute. Stir until smooth, then heat longer if needed.
Stovetop Method
- Place unwrapped caramels in a medium sized saucepan on the stovetop and add 1 tablespoon of water.
- Heat on medium low heat while stirring the caramel for 2-3 minutes, or until completely smooth.
Slow Cooker Method
- Place unwrapped caramels in a heat-safe bowl that can fit inside your slow cooker without touching the edges. Add 1 tablespoon of water.
- Fill the slow cooker with water so that it is even with the caramels in the bowl, creating a double boiler inside the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on high for about 2 hours, or until the caramels are melted. Stir well before using.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can melt any type of wrapped soft caramels in the microwave. Kraft makes the most classic wrapped candies but there are plenty of other brands that will work, too. Avoid the hard caramel candies.
For an 11 ounce bag of caramel candies, it usually takes 1-2 minutes for the caramels to melt completely when heated in the microwave.
You don’t have to, but adding just 1 tablespoon of water, milk, or cream will ensure that the caramel sets up slightly soft when it cools. The more liquid you add, the softer it will be so depending on what you use the melted caramel for, you may want to increase it to 2 tablespoons to get your desired consistency.
Yup! Just place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can remelt again, making sure to add just a small splash of water since you will no longer have the entire 11 ounces of caramel.
You sure can! You’ll just need to add the caramels and water to a bowl that is able to fit inside of the crock pot without touching the sides. Fill the crock pot with water up to the height of the caramels in the bowl, then cover and cook on high for about 2 hours.
Storing and Reheating
- Refrigerator: store leftover caramel in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- To reheat: to reheat, transfer to a microwave-safe container or a saucepan and reheat as directed above, adding slightly less water.
How to Melt Caramel
Ingredients
- 11 ounces Caramel Candies unwrapped
- 1 Tablespoon Water
Instructions
How to Melt Caramels in the Microwave
- Unwrap the individual caramel candies. Place in a microwave safe bowl along with 1 tablespoon of water.
- Microwave on high for about 1 minute. Stir until smooth, then heat longer if needed.
Stovetop Method
- Unwrap the individual caramel candies. Place in a medium sized saucepan on the stovetop and add 1 tablespoon of water.
- Heat the caramels on medium low heat while stirring for 2-3 minutes, or until completely smooth.
Nutrition
More Easy Caramel Recipes To Try
- Homemade Caramel Sauce
- Chocolate Covered Caramels
- Caramel Pecan Pie
- Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread
- Homemade Caramel Popcorn
- Caramel Cinnamon Rolls
- Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Rods
- Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip
- Homemade Caramel Apples
- Caramel Candy
- Caramel Apple Nachos
- More Homemade Desserts
- More Best Caramel Desserts
Learning How to Melt Caramels is a simple kitchen hack that will save you loads of time. Use this quick and easy melted caramel to make caramel apples, sauce, popcorn, and more.
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