Classic Chewy Caramel Squares

The Story & Intro

There’s something almost magical about a pan of classic chewy caramel squares cooling on the counter. That glossy, golden surface… the rich, buttery aroma filling the whole kitchen… and the irresistible promise of that first soft pull when you take a bite. Every time I make them, I feel like I’m returning to one of the sweetest chapters of my childhood when my grandmother and I would stand over a bubbling pot of caramel, watching it transform from pale cream to a luscious amber river.

And before we dive in, let me share a little about me because every recipe I make comes wrapped in a story.

“Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion — it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.”

So when I share recipes like these classic chewy caramel squares, it’s more than instructions it’s a little piece of my heart, a bite of nostalgia, and a warm invitation to join me in the kitchen. I love how simple this recipe is, yet how luxurious the results are. Soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth, never too sticky, and always a crowd-pleaser.

I’ve made these for holiday parties, girls’ nights, teacher gifts, rainy days when I just needed sweetness, and once very dramatically at 2 a.m. when I couldn’t sleep and caramel felt like therapy. Don’t judge. It worked.

What I adore about this classic chewy caramel squares recipe is that it perfectly balances richness and chewiness not too firm, not too soft. Just that perfect dreamy texture. And trust me, once you’ve made caramel from scratch, you’ll never buy store-bought again.

Let’s make magic together. ✨

⏱️ Time

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25–35 minutes
Cool: 2 hours
Total: ~2 hours 45 minutes

🛒 Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create the most irresistible classic chewy caramel squares:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 2 ¼ cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon sea salt (optional, but heavenly)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the pan

Grease an 8×8-inch square baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. Lightly butter the parchment too — caramel loves to stick.

2. Melt the butter

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan (this matters for even heating!), melt the butter over medium heat.

3. Add sugar, corn syrup & condensed milk

Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk.
Keep stirring until everything melts into a smooth mixture.

4. Bring to a boil

Increase heat to medium-high and stir constantly as the caramel begins to bubble. You want a steady boil — not too furious, not too timid.

5. Cook to 238°F

Use a candy thermometer and cook the mixture until it reaches 238°F (soft-ball stage).
This is the secret to that perfect chewy texture.

6. Add vanilla + optional salt

Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and sea salt.

7. Pour & cool

Carefully pour the hot caramel into your prepared pan. Smooth the top and let it cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours.

8. Slice & enjoy

Lift the caramel slab from the pan and slice it into squares. Wrap individually in wax paper if you’d like — or devour immediately. (No judgment. Truly.)

Serving Suggestions

These classic chewy caramel squares can shine on their own, but if you want to elevate them? Try these ideas:

• Dip half the caramel square in melted chocolate
• Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top
• Roll in crushed nuts for crunch
• Cut into tiny cubes and mix into cookies
• Add to holiday treat boxes or gift bags
• Enjoy with coffee, hot chocolate, or chai

They’re also perfect for fall treats, Christmas platters, birthday candy trays, or my favorite late-night kitchen snacking.

📝 Notes

• Candy thermometer is key. The difference between chewy and hard caramel is just a few degrees.
• Want firmer caramel? Cook to 242°F.
• Prefer softer? Stop around 234°F.
• Storage: Wrap in wax paper and store at room temperature for 2–3 weeks.
• Freezer-friendly: Freeze up to 3 months.

🍽️ Nutrition (per square, approx. 1″ piece)

• Calories: 98
• Fat: 5g
• Carbs: 13g
• Sugar: 12g
• Protein: 0.8g

Recipe Card

⭐ Classic Chewy Caramel Squares Recipe Card

⏱️ Time
Prep: 10 min | Cook: 25–35 min | Cool: 2 hrs

🛒 Ingredients
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 ¼ cups brown sugar
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 14 oz condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ tsp sea salt

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare an 8×8 pan.
2. Melt butter.
3. Add sugar, syrup, and condensed milk.
4. Boil + cook to 238°F.
5. Stir in vanilla + salt.
6. Pour + cool 2 hrs.
7. Cut + enjoy.

📝 Notes
For firmer caramel, cook to 242°F.

🍽️ Nutrition
~98 calories per square.

Conclusion

Soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness that’s what these classic chewy caramel squares are all about. Every time I make them, I’m reminded how joyfully simple life can feel when the kitchen smells like warm caramel and the people I love are waiting to taste it.

Whether you’re making these for a celebration, a cozy night in, or simply because your sweet tooth whispered, “Do it,” this recipe brings comfort, warmth, and a little French-American charm into your home.

And from my kitchen to yours merci, my sweet friends, for cooking with me today. 💛