Microwave caramels

Butter a disposable aluminum cake pan (2 for a buck at the dollar store!)  Place the 1 cup butter in a LARGE microwavable bowl (8 cup Pyrex ISN'T large enough) and nuke until melted.  Add sugar, syrup, and condensed milk and stir until well blended.  Return to microwave and nuke on high for a total of 18 minutes.  Every two minutes, remove and stir completely.  Return and continue nuking until the 18 minutes have transpired.  Add vanilla and pour into prepared pan.  Allow to set up (4+ hours).  Turn onto glass (marble, whatever you have that's smooth and "cuatable on") and peal off disposable pan.  Cut into rows and then into pieces.  Wrap in good quality wax paper (the cheap stuff sticks and wax-papered caramels are not nearly as good) and store in a sealed plastic bag.  Don't worry, they won't be there long!