Cappuccino Caramels

I'm not a candy maker, but I got my nerve up when I saw this recipe. Worth every stressful moment, and I'm sure I'll be making them again. Recipe is from Land O Lakes.

• Ready In: 1 hr 16 mins
• Yields: 64 candies

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup  chopped pecans or 1⁄2 cup walnuts
• 3  cups  firmly packed brown sugar
• 1  tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1  tablespoon  ground  espresso powder or 1  tablespoon instant coffee granules
• 1  cup  land o lakes butter
• 2  cups  land o lakes traditional half-and-half cream
• 1  cup light corn syrup
• 1  teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Line 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil, extending foil over edges. Butter foil. Sprinkle pecans over bottom of pan. Set aside.
2. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon and espresso powder in small bowl. Melt butter in 4 quart saucepan over low heat; add brown sugar mixture, half & half and corn syrup. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil (6 to 8 minutes).
3. Reduce heat to medium. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until candy thermometer registers 242°F or small amount of mixture dropped into ice water forms a firm ball (40 to 45 minutes). Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Carefully pour over pecans in prepared pan. Cool completely.
4. Lift caramels out of pan, using foil ends. Cut into 1-inch square pieces with buttered knife. Individually wrap pieces in waxed paper or plastic food wrap. Store in refrigerator. Serve in mini paper or foil cups, if desired.