How to Make Caramel with Condensed Milk in the Microwave

I don’t often post recipes here on Middle Aged Mama.

You’ll find the odd exception – like my recipes for French Onion Steak, Chettinaw Chicken, Honey Pork Wraps, and Chicken Parma.

There is something that they all have in common: they are simple, easy to follow recipes that don’t have an ingredient list as long as your arm – and usually, they call for items which you will already have in your pantry, fridge or freezer.

However it occurred to me that I haven’t posted many recipes for sweet treats – and this one is definitely worth sharing!

When I learned how to make caramel with condensed milk in the microwave, I knew I had to add this recipe to my repertoire.  You can use it to make caramel tart, chocolate caramel slice, and pretty much any recipe that requires a caramel filling.

For years, I never attempted to make caramel – I’d heard too many stories of cans of sweetened condensed milk exploding when they were boiled.

But then a workmate taught me how to make caramel in the microwave, and my life changed forever. It literally takes just five minutes – and is a never-fail crowd pleaser. This recipe always seems to get a real workout during the festive season, or for any “bring a plate” occasion!

5 Minute Microwave Caramel Tart

Ingredients:

• 1 tin sweetened condensed milk
• 60g butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablesp golden syrup

Method:

1. Melt butter in a microwave jug.
2. Add all other ingredients and mix well.
3. Set jug in microwave and cook on high for five minutes. IMPORTANT: you MUST stop the microwave and stir the caramel mix once every minute – otherwise it will boil over, leaving you with a sticky, sweet mess.
4. Pour into tart shell / onto biscuit base / or whatever your recipe calls for.
5. Cool in fridge for a couple of hours.

And that’s all there is to it! Now that’s MY kind of recipe.

Have you ever made caramel with condensed milk in the microwave – or on the stove top? How did it turn out?!