Chocolate-Covered 7-Minute Microwave Caramels

butter (1 stick), melted (I use unsalted, use salted for saltier caramels)

granulated sugar

light brown sugar, packed

light corn syrup (light in color, not lite)

sweetened condensed milk

vanilla extract

chocolate for dipping – I used about 4 ounces each of Milk (32%), Dark (54%), and Darker (72%)

to 4 tablespoons vegetable shortening, optional but recommended

sprinkles (or jimmies, non-pareils, slivered almonds, coarse sea salt, graham cracker crumbs, etc.), optional for sprinkling