Creamy Vanilla-Filled Caramels Recipe with a Soft Center

Silky caramels with a velvety vanilla cream filling dance between sweet indulgence and nostalgic comfort.

Handcrafted vanilla cream filled caramels offer a luxurious twist on classic candy-making traditions.

Each golden-brown morsel promises a delectable surprise that melts smoothly across your palate.

Small batches of these confections require precision and patience, rewarding you with rich, creamy decadence.

Butter, sugar, and cream combine in a delicate culinary ballet that transforms simple ingredients into extraordinary treats.

Soft, pillowy caramels with their luscious vanilla cream center will become your new favorite homemade confection.

Dive into this delightful recipe and unleash your inner pastry chef.

Ways To Share Vanilla Cream Filled Caramels During Holidays

• Decadent Dessert Companion: Pair these caramels with a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream for a luxurious treat that enhances the caramel's smooth texture.
• Sweet Wine Pairing: Serve alongside a glass of late-harvest Moscato or sweet dessert wine to complement the rich vanilla and caramel flavors.
• Gourmet Gift Presentation: Package these caramels in a beautiful gift box with parchment paper, perfect for hostess gifts or special occasion treats. Tie with a delicate ribbon for an elegant touch.
• Coffee Shop Delight: Enjoy these caramels alongside a hot espresso or cappuccino, allowing the creamy vanilla filling to melt perfectly with the warm coffee notes.

How To Keep Vanilla Cream Filled Caramels Soft

• Clever Cooling Strategy: Let the vanilla cream filling chill in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes to achieve the perfect consistency for filling caramels, making it easier to handle and shape.
• Airtight Storage Solution: Keep these delicate caramels in a sealed container with parchment paper between layers, storing them in the refrigerator for up to 7 days to maintain their creamy texture and prevent sticking.
• Temperature Tip: Allow caramels to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance their rich, smooth flavor profile.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the vanilla cream filling up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, which saves time and allows flavors to develop more deeply.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes

Calories: 172 kcal

Servings: 19

All You Need For Vanilla Cream Filled Caramels

• Heavy Cream: Provides rich, velvety texture and luxurious mouthfeel for the filling, choose high-fat content cream for best results.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create smooth, stable cream mixture, select fine-granulated sugar for easy dissolving.
• Butter: Delivers deep, smooth flavor and helps bind ingredients, use unsalted butter for precise flavor control.

• Vanilla Extract: Infuses warm, classic flavor profile, opt for pure vanilla extract for most authentic taste.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates silky, stable filling consistency, sift to prevent lumps and ensure smooth incorporation.

Items To Help Make Vanilla Cream Filled Caramels Smooth

• Large Saucepan: Essential for cooking and mixing ingredients smoothly over medium heat.
• Wooden Spoon or Whisk: Perfect for stirring and ensuring sugar dissolves and butter melts completely.
• Measuring Cups: Accurate for measuring sugar, cream, and butter precisely.
• Spatula: Great for scraping down sides and ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
• Cooling Rack: Helpful for allowing the vanilla cream filling to cool evenly at room temperature.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Useful for whisking powdered sugar and creating the creamy filling.

How To Fill And Wrap Vanilla Cream Filled Caramels

• Caramel Base

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, letting it bubble and dance with granulated sugar. Watch as the mixture transforms into a golden, glossy landscape of sweetness.

• Vanilla Dream

Pour in heavy cream, stirring gently until everything blends into a silky smooth symphony. Remove from heat and introduce vanilla extract, letting its fragrant whispers infuse the mixture.

• Creamy Transformation

Sprinkle powdered sugar into the warm liquid, whisking with tender care. Let the mixture cool and thicken, becoming a luxurious cream ready to surprise and delight.

• Filling Creation

As the vanilla cream settles, it will develop a dreamy consistency perfect for filling delicate caramel shells. The mixture should feel soft yet substantial, like a cloud captured in a spoon.

• Final Touch

Allow the cream to reach room temperature, its texture becoming rich and velvety. This magical filling will bring unexpected joy to your homemade caramels, creating a moment of pure culinary happiness.

Flavor Ideas For Vanilla Cream Filled Caramels

• Silky Filling Trick: Cool the vanilla cream filling completely before piping or spreading to ensure a thick, stable texture that won't run when cutting caramels.
• Flavor Boosters: Experiment with different vanilla extracts like Madagascar bourbon or Mexican vanilla for deeper, more complex flavor profiles in your cream filling.
• Dietary Swaps: For a dairy-free version, replace heavy cream with coconut cream and use plant-based butter alternatives to create a vegan-friendly caramel cream treat.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep these caramels refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.

Silky Vanilla Cream Filled Caramels Recipe

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• Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 19 1x

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Description

Sweet vanilla cream filled caramels from France promise pure indulgence. Creamy centers encased in golden caramel delight lovers of delicate confections everywhere.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (225 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (220 g / 7.75 oz) packed brown sugar
• 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) light corn syrup
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) heavy cream
• 1 cup (125 g / 4.4 oz) powdered sugar, sifted
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (50 g / 1.75 oz) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps (30 g / 1 oz) unsalted butter
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Caramel Base Preparation: Melt butter with granulated sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture turns a rich golden amber color and develops a smooth, glossy texture.
2. Cream Integration: Slowly pour heavy cream into the caramel base, whisking vigorously to prevent crystallization and create a uniform, silky consistency that harmonizes the ingredients.
3. Flavor Infusion: Remove from heat and gently stir in vanilla extract, allowing the aromatic essence to permeate the caramel mixture with its distinctive sweet undertones.
4. Cream Filling Creation: Gradually fold powdered sugar into the cooled caramel mixture, whisking meticulously to develop a luxurious, smooth vanilla cream that holds its shape without any granular remnants.
5. Filling and Finishing: Once the vanilla cream reaches a stable, spreadable consistency, carefully pipe or spoon the filling into prepared caramel shells, ensuring a perfect balance of creamy interior and delicate caramel exterior.

Notes

• Control Heat Carefully: Maintain low to medium heat when melting ingredients to prevent burning or separating sugar and cream, which can ruin the smooth caramel texture.
• Whisk Consistently: Stir the mixture continuously to ensure even incorporation of ingredients and prevent sugar from crystallizing or sticking to the pan’s bottom.
• Check Cream Consistency: Let the vanilla cream filling cool completely until it reaches a thick, spreadable texture that will hold its shape inside caramel shells without leaking.
• Use Quality Vanilla: Select pure vanilla extract or fresh vanilla bean for the most authentic and rich flavor profile in your cream filling.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 19
• Calories: 172
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 37 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg