Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce: A Sweet Indulgence
Whip up this decadent easy homemade caramel sauce! Simply melt the sugar until golden, then whisk in the butter and cream for a smooth and rich sauce. Enjoy it warm over ice cream or store it for later.
Elevate your meals with homemade sauces! Our Pistachio Cranberry Sauce adds a festive touch, while our Quick BBQ Sauce Recipe is perfect for weeknight grilling.
Have you ever stared longingly at that jar of caramel sauce in the store, then remembered the price tag and sighed dramatically? Yeah, me too!
But what if I told you that rich, decadent caramel sauce is incredibly easy to make at home, with just a few pantry staples? It’s true!
Homemade caramel sauce is a game-changer. Forget the store-bought stuff – I am talking about silky smooth, bursting-with-flavor sauce that you can drizzle over everything from ice cream to popcorn to apples.
This easy homemade caramel sauce requires only 5 minutes of prep time and about 10 minutes of cook time, so in about 15 minutes total time, you’ll have an amazing caramel sauce for dessert! So, let’s get caramelizing!
Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Whether pouring it over ice cream, dipping fruit, or drizzling it on top of cakes and pies, this homemade caramel sauce adds a touch of indulgence to any dessert.
- Making caramel sauce at home allows you to control the ingredients and tailor the flavor to your preferences, resulting in a truly personalized sweet treat.
- With just a handful of pantry staples and a few easy steps, you can create a caramel sauce that rivals the finest confections from artisanal bakeries.
How To Make This Recipe
With just a handful of ingredients and a bit of patience, you’ll be savoring the sweet rewards in no time, by the spoonful! Here’s what you will need:
Ingredients
- Granulated sugar
- Water
- Heavy whipping cream
- Butter (unsalted)
- Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Begin by adding granulated sugar to a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Pour water over the sugar without stirring.
- Heat the sugar and water mixture over medium heat until the sugar is fully dissolved with no sugar crystals visible, then increase the heat to medium-high. Cook until the mixture transforms into a light to deep amber color, typically around 5-10 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and swiftly pour in the heavy cream. Expect the caramel to seize momentarily; this is normal. Add butter and stir with a silicone or wooden spoon until melted.
- Return the saucepan to the stove and heat over medium-low, stirring continuously until any clumps have dissolved, and the caramel is smooth.
- Take the caramel off the heat and stir in vanilla extract. Strain the caramel sauce if necessary to remove any remaining clumps.
- Allow the caramel to cool to room temperature before serving.
What to Serve with Caramel Sauce
When it comes to pairing this homemade caramel sauce with your favorite treats, the possibilities are endless. You can drizzle it over ice cream, pancakes, waffles, apple pie, or cheesecake for an extra touch of decadence. Alternatively, use it as a dip for apple slices, pretzels, or cookies, or incorporate it into your baking recipes for a heavenly caramel-infused twist.
Note that this is a caramel sauce, so it’s delicious for caramel apple bites or caramel apple nachos, but the consistency isn’t thick enough for traditional dipped caramel apples.
Easy Caramel Sauce Variations
Ready to get creative? Here are some variations to customize your Homemade Caramel Sauce:
- Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt into the caramel sauce recipe for a delightfully sweet and salty contrast in your salted caramel sauce.
- Stir in a tablespoon of brewed coffee or espresso for a rich, caffeinated twist.
- Experiment with different extracts such as almond, coconut, or rum for unique flavor profiles.
Whip Up This Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce!
Homemade Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar granulated
- 1/3 cup water
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- To a large heavy bottomed saucepan, add the sugar and flatten out evenly over the entire bottom of the saucepan. Pour the water over the sugar and do not stir.
- Heat the sugar and water mixture (without stirring) over medium heat until the sugar is fully dissolved, then increase the heat to medium-high and cook until the mixture turns light amber in color, about 5-10 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately pour in the heavy cream. The caramel will seize (clump up) and this is normal. Add the butter and stir the caramel until the butter is melted.
- Return the saucepan to the stove and heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the clumps have melted and the caramel is smooth.
- Remove the caramel from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. If needed, strain the caramel sauce to remove any small clumps still remaining.
- Cool the caramel to room temperature before serving.
Notes
- When the cream is added the caramel will seize. This is completely normal. The clumps will met into the sauce as it is heated and stirred. I like to use a heatproof spatula to stir the sauce and work the clumps until they melt.
- It is very important that the sugar and water mixture is not stirred at all. No stirring the sauce until the heavy cream is added!
- If using a candy thermometer, the temperature for cooking the caramel is between 338°F and 350°F. Do not let the temperature rise above 350°F.
- There may still be small clumps left in the sauce, so it can be strained to remove them.
- When the sauce is cold it will be very thick. Simply reheat to return it to a thin, pourable caramel sauce.
- The caramel sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for up to three months.
How To Store
Wondering if you can prepare homemade caramel sauce in advance or store leftovers for later enjoyment? Absolutely! Once cooled, transfer the sauce to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to three months. When ready to use, simply reheat the sauce gently until it reaches your desired consistency.
Common Questions about Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce
- Can I use light cream instead of heavy cream? While heavy cream yields a richer, creamier texture, light cream can be substituted if desired. However, keep in mind that the final result may be slightly less indulgent.
- Why did my caramel seize when I added the cream? Seizing is a normal reaction when cold cream is added to hot caramelized sugar. Simply continue to heat and stir the mixture gently until it smooths out.
- Can I reheat the caramel sauce after it has cooled? Absolutely! Reheat the sauce gently over low heat, stirring constantly until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar? No – for best results, stick with granulated white sugar. White sugar caramelizes better and the color change helps to know when the sugar is caramelized.
Now that you’ve unlocked the secrets to creating your own easy homemade caramel sauce, it’s time to indulge in a sweet flavor! Whether you’re satisfying a midnight craving or impressing guests at your next gathering, this homemade delight is sure to dazzle your taste buds and leave you craving more.
Share with Us
We’d love to see your take on this delicious recipe! Did you add a special twist? Did it turn out picture-perfect? If you make this recipe, tag us on social media using the hashtags #foodieaholic and #remodelaholic – we can’t wait to see your culinary creations!
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Cassity Kmetzsch started Remodelaholic after graduating from Utah State University with a degree in Interior Design. Remodelaholic is the place to share her love for knocking out walls, and building everything back up again to not only add function but beauty to her home. Together with her husband Justin, they have remodeled 6 homes and are working on a seventh. She is a mother of four amazing girls. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby.
