These Caramel Chocolate Nilla Wafers are an easy and festive Christmas candy. A small spoonful of homemade caramel sits on a crisp Nilla wafer, finished with a drizzle of milk chocolate. They come together in minutes and make a wonderful treat to share or to add to a cookie platter.
If you enjoy quick candy recipes, try the classic Hershey’s Kiss Pretzels, Turtles Candy, or Pretzel Toffee for other simple homemade sweets.
Caramel Chocolate Nilla Wafers
These caramel and chocolate Nilla wafers are perfect when you want an easy holiday candy that tastes a bit like Twix: a crunchy cookie base, a soft gooey caramel layer, and a milk chocolate finish. You can use store-bought caramels or make the homemade caramel included below. They’re ideal for gifting and platters.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Nilla Wafers – crisp, crunchy cookies that hold up well under caramel and chocolate.
- Caramel – use premade caramels or prepare the Homemade Caramel listed in the recipe.
- Milk Chocolate – chocolate chips or a chopped milk chocolate bar both work for melting and drizzling.
How to Make Chocolate Nilla Wafers Candy
- Prepare the caramel. Use premade caramels or make the homemade caramel provided in the ingredients section.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Parchment releases caramel more easily than wax paper.
- Arrange the Nilla Wafers. Place cookies in a single layer about 1/2″ apart so the caramel and chocolate have room to spread.
- Add a dollop of caramel. Using two spoons (one to scoop, one to slide), place about a teaspoon of caramel on each wafer. Lightly buttering the spoons helps the caramel release.
- Drizzle with melted chocolate. Use a fork or spoon to create a decorative chocolate drizzle over each candy.
- Let set in a cool place for about 30 minutes until the caramel has cooled and the chocolate is firm. Enjoy.
How to Melt Chocolate
- Microwave on high for 30 seconds, then remove and stir. Chocolate often still looks whole after heating, so stirring is essential.
- Repeat 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chocolate is almost melted and a few small pieces remain.
- Stop microwaving and continue stirring. Residual heat will finish melting the small pieces and bring the chocolate to a smooth consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store the candies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. After that, the cookies may begin to soften.
Yes. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Chocolate Caramel Nilla Wafer Candy Recipe
Ingredients
Homemade Caramel
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup Karo syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Caramel Chocolate Nilla Wafers
- 11 ounces Nilla Wafers
- 1 pound milk chocolate
- sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
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In a large nonstick pot, combine butter, Karo syrup, sugar, light brown sugar, salt, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir constantly until the butter melts and the sugars dissolve.
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Continue stirring until the caramel reaches 240°F (soft-ball stage). This ensures the caramel will set firmly on the wafer but remain soft to bite. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
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Melt the chocolate by microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until nearly melted. Stop microwaving when small unmelted pieces remain and stir until smooth.
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Place Nilla Wafers on parchment about 1/2″ apart. Drop about a teaspoon of caramel on each cookie, then drizzle with melted chocolate. Add sprinkles if desired.
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Let candies set in a cool place for about 30 minutes, until caramel has cooled and chocolate has hardened. Serve or package as gifts.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates calculated with a third-party tool.
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More Homemade Candy Recipes
- Peanut Brittle
- Divinity
- Jello Divinity Candy
- Dipped Mint Oreos
- White Chocolate Ornaments
- Gingersnap Cookies – White Chocolate Dipped
- Homemade Caramel
- Caramel and Chocolate Pretzels
- Rolo Pretzel Bites
- More Christmas Candy Recipes
More Recipes with Caramel
- How to Make Caramel Apples
- Snowman Caramel Apples
- Caramel Cinnamon Rolls
- Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread
- Caramel Apple Dip
- Coconut Caramel Popcorn
- Caramel Apple Nachos
These Nilla Wafer Caramel Candies are an easy homemade Christmas candy: a small dollop of caramel and a drizzle of sweet milk chocolate on a crunchy cookie base.