Homemade Caramel Sauce Easy Recipe
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Whip up this easy homemade caramel sauce recipe in just minutes! Perfect for drizzling over desserts, ice cream, or dipping your favorite treats for an irresistible sweet touch.
This homemade caramel sauce is so easy to make — you may never reach for a store-bought version again. It’s one of my favorite ways to jazz up pound cake, cheesecake, vanilla ice cream, scones, and cakes or cupcakes. You can also use it to make caramel apples or as a dip for apple slices!
Table of Contents
Why We Love Homemade Caramel Sauce
- Irresistible texture and flavor. This creamy caramel sauce is silky smooth and sweet with just a hint of salt and fragrant vanilla.
- Upgrades your favorite desserts. From fruity dishes to delectable cakes and pies, this sauce takes nearly any sweet treat to the next level.
- Stores well. You can keep this delicious caramel sauce in the fridge for weeks and in the freezer for months.
- Easy to make. The great thing about this recipe is that you only need one pot and a handful of simple ingredients!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Granulated Sugar
- Water
- Unsalted Butter
- Heavy Cream or Half And Half (Warm Or Room Temperature)
- Coarse Kosher Salt
- Vanilla Extract
Simple Homemade Caramel Sauce Directions
When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
This foolproof recipe is a cinch to make! Plus, it comes together in only 20 minutes with just a few ingredients you may already have handy in the pantry.
- Heat the sugar and water in a saucepan until it turns an amber color.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the remaining ingredients, mixing well between each addition.
- Serve warm, chilled, or room temp in an airtight jar
Storage Tips
This easy homemade caramel sauce can be whipped up right before you need it. But you can also make it ahead and keep it in the fridge or freezer to satisfy your sweet tooth any time.
Refrigerate/Leftovers
After the caramel cools, transfer it to an airtight container or a mason jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze
To freeze the sauce, after it cools completely, transfer the sauce to a non-glass jar or freezer-safe airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Kitchen Tip
While some may keep homemade caramel sauce at room temperature for a day or two, since it contains cream we recommend refrigerating it. Keeping it in the fridge will extend its shelf life and help ensure that it’s safe to eat.
Kitchen Notes + Tips For Success
- Avoid having the sugar crystallize on the sides of the pan by frequently scraping them down with a rubber spatula.
- Pay close attention to the sauce and remove it from the heat before it becomes brown to avoid bitterness.
- Using warm or room-temperature cream will make it easier to stir the mixture together and will prevent lumps from forming.
- To make the sauce easier to serve after it’s been chilled, allow it to rest on the countertop to come to room temperature or microwave it in intervals until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Once all of the ingredients have been combined, allow the hot caramel to cool for a couple minutes so that it can thicken before serving. As it cools, it will become thicker.
What is the difference between caramel sauce and dulce de leche?
Caramel sauce is made with sugar and water before adding the cream while dulce de leche is made with sugar and cream
Variations And Additions
- Chocolate – Stir homemade chocolate sauce or melted chocolate chips it into the caramel.
- Spices – Sprinkle in nutmeg, cinnamon, or allspice.
- Espresso – Add espresso powder to the caramel for a bold flavor.
- Liquor – Mix in rum, brandy, or bourbon after the caramel has finished cooking.
- Salt – Instead of coarse kosher salt, try using sea salt.
This homemade caramel sauce recipe is a must-have for your dessert lineup. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have a smooth, delicious sauce ready for drizzling or dipping in no time!
Like This Recipe?
I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a review below and let me know how you liked the recipe!
Homemade Caramel Sauce
Whip up this easy homemade caramel sauce recipe in just minutes! Perfect for drizzling over desserts, ice cream, or dipping your favorite treats for an irresistible sweet touch.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half and half), warm or room temp
- ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Swirl the pan to mix. Do not mix with a spoon. Swirl occasionally for 10-13 minutes or until you have an amber color. Don’t let it get too brown as it can get bitter. Scrape down the sides of the pot with a rubber spatula when the sugar builds up.
- Remove the pot from the heat.
- Add the butter. Mix until combined.
- Add the heavy cream. Mix until combined.
- Add the salt and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Serve warm, chilled, or room temp
Notes
Tips
- Warm/room temp cream - will blend better (no lumps)
- Caramel sauce will thicken as it cools
- Store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Let the caramel sauce come to room temp or reheat in microwave or on stovetop to make it easier to pour or drizzle.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 106Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 22mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 0g
Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Hi there, I'm Cheryl!
As a wife, mom, and caffeine enthusiast, my journey has taken me from bustling mornings with my family to sharing delicious recipes, home care tips, and heartfelt decorating insights with wonderful readers like you. My love for baking, photography, and tidiness shines through every post I craft. Dive into my world and discover the art of homemaking, one tidy moment at a time. Read more...
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