Homemade Caramels

These have been a family hit ever since I began making them as a teenager. But I can't make them too far in advance of Christmas or I don't have any left to share!

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Yields: 64-80 caramels

Ingredients

• 2  cups half-and-half cream
• 2  cups  whipping cream
• 1  cup butter (not margarine)
• 4  cups white sugar
• 1 1⁄2 cups corn syrup
• 4  teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Butter a large kettle.
2. Stir together butter, sugar, syrup, 1 cup of the half & half, 1 cup of the whipping cream.
3. Bring to a boil.
4. Add the remaining liquid.
5. Stir constantly and cook to 240 degrees (soft ball stage). Caramels will scorch if not stirred continuously.
6. Remove from heat and add the vanilla.
7. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.
8. After caramels have cooled and hardened, cut into desired size pieces and wrap individually in plastic wrap.