Caramels
["1 c. light brown sugar", "1 c. sugar", "1 c. light corn syrup", "1 c. sweetened condensed milk", "1 stick butter (1/4 lb.)", "2/3 c. half and half or light cream", "2 tsp. vanilla", "1 c. chopped nuts (optional)", "melted chocolate chips (optional)"]
["Generously butter 2 loaf pans.", "Mix first 6 ingredients in a large saucepan.", "Over medium heat, boil to hard ball stage or to 250\u00b0 on candy thermometer; stir constantly.", "Remove from heat and add vanilla and nuts (nuts are optional).", "Pour 1/2 of mixture into each loaf pan.", "Cool at least 4 hours.", "Remove from pans and cut into squares.", "Squares may be dipped or half dipped into melted chocolate chips."]
["light brown sugar", "sugar", "light corn syrup", "condensed milk", "butter", "light cream", "vanilla", "nuts", "chocolate chips"]