Birthday Caramels

1.Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper and lightly greasing the paper with butter.

2.In a large saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and butter over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture begins to boil.

3.Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Continue to cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches 245°F (firm ball stage) on a candy thermometer. This should take about 25-30 minutes.

4.Once the mixture reaches the desired temperature, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

5.Pour the caramel mixture into the prepared baking dish and let it cool for about 10 minutes. If desired, sprinkle some colorful sprinkles on top of the caramel for a festive touch.

6.Allow the caramels to cool completely at room temperature for about 4 hours or until firm.

7.Once the caramels have set, use a sharp knife to cut them into small squares or rectangles.

8.Wrap each caramel in wax paper or cellophane wrappers for a beautiful presentation. Enjoy your homemade birthday caramels!