Chocolate Covered Caramel Marshmallow recipe – plus 21 more AMAZING caramel recipes

I’m obsessed with a few flavors – chocolate, peanut butter, coconut, lemon… and of course caramel.  I’ve actually had a version of this recipe on the blog for YEARS – but it was UGLY (see the first note in the “tips” below) so it never really got made or seen by anyone.  We eat with our eyes first after all.

So it’s been on my “to remake” list for YEARS.  Last Christmas I made another big attempt (see tip 2) but that was an epic fail as well.. finally this last Christmas  a brain storm helped me figure out how to better build these…. but it was still a huge mess… thus tips 5, 6 and 7 below… I’m finally happy with them AND promise – you will LOVE them – my kids are obsessed too – I had to make 3 batches this weekend since they kept eating them before I could finish the video or get pictures (darn)!

Tips and Tricks for making Caramel Marshmallows

How to layer the caramel in dessert

• the first time I made a version of these I actually poured the warm marshmallow into the pan then added the warm sauce and swirled it – it was DELICIOUS – but a MESS
• The SECOND time I decided to layer the marshmallow and caramel for a cleaner look – welllll you can imagine what happens to set marshmallows when you pour warm caramel on top – the marshmallows grew, bubbled, melted, and it again was a HUGE mess – def not layers – clearly I didn’t think that one through…
• so finally I realized I had to build it upside down – caramel first – let it mostly cool add the marshmallows – yes the caramel and marshmallow tends to separate this way BUT it works and you have lovely layers

How to cut the caramel marshmallows

• this is a little tricky – I spray my SHARP knife with a non stick spray and keep the knife clean EVERY CUT
• keep the caramel on the bottom – otherwise it will squish the marshmallow or even slide around while your trying ot cut it
• I ALSO separate each row as I cut it – otherwise the caramel resticks together
• refrigerating for 30 mins to firm up the caramel helps SO MUCH

How to keep your soft caramel from dripping

• THIS is why I dip them in chocolate – first of all refrigerate before cutting – then dip them right away – and if you can’t do the whole pan at once, or if they start getting soft put what you can’t dip back in the fridge – the chilled caramel will help the chocolate set faster and it will help hold the caramel into place – then when left at room temperature you’ll still have ooey soft caramels that are held into place
• If you don’t want to dip them in chocolate I recommend keeping them in the fridge – taking them out about 15 mins before serving so they don’t get too drippy before eating
• OR you can cook the caramel longer – turning it into a harder caramel – another 5 degrees, depending on how you like your caramels – personally my LEAST favorite option.

5 from 1 vote

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Chocolate Covered Caramel Marshmallow recipe

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Ashlee Marie

Ingredients

Caramel

• 1/2 C butter
• 1/2 lbs packed light brown sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 C light corn syrup
• 5 oz sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Marshmallow

• 2 Tbsp unflavored gelatin powder
• 1/4 C cold water
• 2 C granulated sugar
• 1 C water
• 1 tsp vanilla

Outer shell

• 12 oz Chocolate
• 1-2 Tbsp shortening

Instructions

Caramel

1. in a saucepan dissolve the brown sugar, salt and butter over medium heat
2. add the corn syrup and mix
3. pour in the sweetened condensed milk and stir
4. bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat until it hits 240 degrees on a candy thermometer (remember to adjust for your elevation) - this makes super soft caramels - you can cook to 245 if you want stiffer caramels
5. pour into a 9x13 pan coated with butter (OR I found it better to coat some parchment paper with butter and place that in the pan easier to pull out later for cutting)
6. let start to cool

Marshmallows

1. stir the gelatin and cold water together and let it bloom for about 10 mins
2. in a saucepan over low heat dissolve the sugar in the second water measurement
3. add the gelatin and stir until dissolved
4. bringthe mixture to a low boil and boil steadily (but not vigorously) for about 15 mins without stirring
5. remove from heat and let cool to lukewarm
6. pour into another bowl and add the vanilla - beat until it is very thick and white
7. pour over the caramels and let set
8. Once set chill in the fridge for 30 mins or so
9. pull out of the pan and with the caramels still on the bottom cut into small squares
10. melt the chocolate and stir in the shortening
11. dip each caramel marshmallow square into the chocolate - shake off and place on parchment paper to let set.

AND today is NATIONAL CARAMEL DAY! And if you’ve followed me at ALL you KNOW I have a slight caramel obsession – Thankfully so do a lot of my fellow foodies! So we’re celebrating National Caramel day with a ton of new recipes for you!!

12 new Celebrating food bloggers recipes

• Chocolate dipped Caramel Marshmallows – HERE – Ashlee Marie
• Coconut Chocolate Caramel Nests – Life Made Simple
• Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars – Baking with Blondie
• Caramel Pretzel Brownies – The Baker Upstairs
• Caramel Banana Bread – Yellow Bliss Road
• Caramel Sauce – Creations by Kara
• Chai Creme Brulee – Foodie with Family
• Turtle Cake – Real Mom Kitchen
• Instant Pot Caramel Dipping Sauce (Dulce de Leche) – 365 days of slow cooking
• Smoky Salted Caramel Creme Brulee – Hey Grill Hey
• Iced Caramel Macchiato – Gather for Bread
• Vegan Caramel Chocolate Chip cookie bars – Namely Marly

9 of my Caramel Recipes –

• Buttery caramel sauce
• Buttery soft caramels
• Salted caramel cheesecake
• Caramel brownies
• Caramel popcorn balls
• Caramel toffee pie
• Chocolate Caramel covered pears
• Caramel snickers cupcakes
• Caramel cinnamon apple pie donuts