Sister Wives' Caramel Recipe from Kody's Mom on The Christmas Surprise Episode

Ok, I'll admit it... I love reality TV and I actually like watching Sister Wives on TLC. I don't know if it's the fact that I'm so intrigued by their lifestyle of that I do like each of them. The whole plural marriage thing is a bit much for me to take in but they love each other and they love God so who am I to cast the first stone. On the episode last week they showed a caramel cook off and I really wanted to get the recipe. Well low and behold right there at minute 38 on the tivo, they showed the recipe sitting on the counter for a split second. Thanks to freeze frame, I copied the recipe and was very thankful for the hand written notes on it.

   

Here's the recipe:  

Kody's mom-Reva’s Caramels from Sister Wives 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound butter 
• 2 cups light Karo Syrup 
• 2 cups sugar 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 1 can of Evaporated Milk- 12 oz. size
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Optional- 1 cup of chopped nuts

Instructions:

1. Add the first 3 ingredients- (Butter, Karo and Sugar) into a large pan, bring to a boil  over medium to medium high heat until all sugar is dissolved and it's golden brown.°
2.  Add 1 can of evaporated milk slowly- so mixture doesn’t stop boiling. 
3. Continue to boil to firm ball stage 250°  
1. For every 500 feet over sea level, decrease temp by 1 degree. So for my house at 6000 feet- I have to decrease the temp by 12° -my final temp would be between 233° - 238°)
2. Use this rule for any kind of candy or fudge that you make. If you live at altitude and wondered why your candy wasn't turning out this is the key!!!! 
4.  Remove from heat and carefully add 1 tsp of vanilla  and if you like nuts, add 1 cup of chipped nuts- optional.  
5. Place in well buttered pan and cool 
6. Once it's all cooled, cut  into small squares and wrap in waxed paper.