Grammie’s Christmas Caramels


Act 1: Grammie discovers that her oldest daughter is deaf after a childhood illness. The family moves from Indiana to California for the best care, and scrapes through during the depression when people traded vegetables to get their cars fixed by my mechanic grandfather. Act 2:There was no money for Christmas gifts, so Grammie made her famous Christmas Caramels, using real cream and butter like she did on the farm in Indiana – and spending hours with her two daughters hand wrapping every piece. She took great pride in giving a gift she created with love and care, and the Christmas Caramels became a family tradition carried on by four granddaughters. Act 3: Several years ago I entered Grammie’s Christmas Caramels in the fair…and they received a blue ribbon. I called my grandmother to tell her, and she replied, "That’s wonderful, honey. But the best prize for me is that you learned how to make a gift from the heart. I guess those judges could just taste the love!"

preparation

preparation Time
20 mins

cook Time
40 mins

servings
50

calories
0 per serving

ingredients

  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

directions

Butter a cookie sheet

Butter a large cookie sheet and set it aside. (Use real butter because this flavors the caramels and use a heavy enough layer so that you don't leave any unbuttered surface or the caramels will stick.)

Pour it out

When you reach the firm ball stage, use a wooden spoon to help pour out the caramel onto the buttered cookie sheet. Wear kitchen mits and take care -- it's very hot! Let it cool for an hour. Cover with waxed paper until you have time to wrap.

Wrap it up!

Find a movie that you want to watch and put in on! Bring the cookie sheet with caramel, a table knife, clean scissors, a large empty bowl and a box of waxed paper to your favorite recliner and set up a card table or stand to your side to hold everything. Cut at least 100 waxed paper rectangles about 3 x 4 inches. Then use the knife to score the caramels into bite size pieces -- about 1 inch x 1/2 inch and roll each one into a waxed paper rectangle, twisting both ends -- then toss it into the bowl. Repeat until done...usually about one movie's time. Great family activity or special time with a friend.

The gift of time and love

You can serve in pretty candy dishes at parties...or wrap in small boxes as personal gifts. My friends look forward every year to getting Grammmie's Christmas Caramels!

recipe by

No N.


mm
Kenmore

The Kenmore brand represents 100 years of trusted performance, backed by exclusive features and innovations that no other brand can bring to the table. We’re always evolving to ensure day-to-day tasks are taken care of with faster cooking, better cleaning and more living throughout the home.