Irresistible Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe That Dazzles

Sweet and rich caramel sauce with a salty twist can elevate your dessert game instantly.

Homemade versions beat store-bought options every single time.

Crafting this sauce requires just a few simple ingredients and minimal kitchen skills.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore its versatility across multiple sweet treats.

Drizzling this silky smooth mixture over ice cream, brownies, or apple slices creates pure magic.

Each spoonful promises an indulgent experience that balances sweet and savory perfectly.

You’ll want to keep a jar of this delectable sauce in your refrigerator at all times.

What’s to Love About Salted Caramel Sauce

• With just a few basic pantry staples, you can create a luxurious sauce that transforms ordinary desserts into gourmet treats.
• Drizzle over ice cream, mix into coffee, use as a cake topping, or gift to friends – this sauce is a kitchen superhero that works magic on countless dishes.
• Even novice cooks can master this recipe with simple stirring and careful watching, guaranteeing a delicious result every single time.

Ingredients in Salted Caramel Sauce

• Sugar: The primary sweetener that caramelizes to create the rich, golden base of the sauce.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to the caramel sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Provides a creamy consistency and helps stabilize the caramel.

• Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness and adds a delightful savory note to the caramel.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm, aromatic depth to the overall flavor profile.

Making Salted Caramel Sauce at Home

Step 1: Transform Sugar Into Golden Nectar

Place sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Stir continuously with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula until the sugar completely liquefies and develops a rich amber color.

Watch carefully to prevent burning, which happens quickly.

The transformation should take about 3-4 minutes.

Step 2: Introduce Creamy Butter

Carefully add butter to the melted sugar.

Use caution as the mixture might splatter.

Stir vigorously until butter completely integrates with the caramelized sugar, creating a smooth, glossy texture.

The butter will help stabilize the caramel and add richness.

Step 3: Pour Luxurious Cream

Slowly stream heavy cream into the caramel mixture while continuously stirring.

Expect dramatic bubbling and sizzling as the cream hits the hot sugar.

Keep stirring until the sauce becomes uniform and silky.

The cream stops the cooking process and creates a luscious consistency.

Step 4: Enhance With Flavor Boosters

Remove the saucepan from heat.

• Sea salt
• Vanilla extract

Taste and adjust salt levels for perfect balance between sweet and salty.

The salt amplifies the caramel’s depth and complexity.

Step 5: Cool And Preserve

Let the caramel sauce cool to room temperature.

Transfer to a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Refrigerate up to two weeks.

Gently reheat before serving by placing the jar in warm water or microwaving in short intervals.

Handy Tips for Salted Caramel Sauce

• Monitor the sugar's color and consistency carefully to prevent burning, as caramel can quickly turn from golden to burnt.
• Add room temperature heavy cream to prevent dangerous splattering when mixing with hot caramel.
• Avoid stirring sugar while it melts; instead, gently swirl the pan to ensure even heating and smooth caramel.
• Wear long sleeves and use a long-handled whisk to protect yourself from potential hot sugar splatters during cooking.
• If the caramel sauce becomes too thick when chilled, gently reheat and stir in a little extra cream to reach desired consistency.

Store and Use Salted Caramel Sauce Later

• Transfer cooled caramel sauce to a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Seal securely and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, maintaining its rich flavor and smooth texture.
• Pour sauce into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1/2 inch space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring airtight sealing to prevent freezer burn and preserve quality.
• Warm refrigerated sauce in microwave using 15-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Alternatively, place jar in warm water bath, stirring occasionally until sauce reaches desired consistency.
• Remove sauce from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving, allowing it to soften naturally. Stir gently to restore smooth texture and restore original creamy consistency.

Best Matches for Salted Caramel Sauce

• Enhance Salted Caramel Sauce Pairings
• Elevate Dessert Companions: Vanilla bean ice cream, warm apple pie, and rich chocolate brownies create a decadent flavor explosion that perfectly complements the caramel's sweet and salty profile.
• Craft Beverage Matches: Bourbon whiskey, dark roast coffee, or aged rum amplify the caramel's depth, offering a sophisticated and warming drinking experience that balances the sauce's rich sweetness.
• Transform Breakfast Delights: Drizzle over french toast, pancakes, or waffles to transform ordinary morning meals into gourmet indulgences that sing with layers of complex caramel flavor.
• Explore Cheese Combinations: Aged cheddar, creamy brie, or tangy goat cheese provide a savory counterpoint, creating an unexpected and luxurious taste experience that highlights the caramel's versatility.

Salted Caramel Sauce Variations to Try

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use vegan butter for a plant-based version that maintains rich caramel flavor.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, creating a diabetic-friendly caramel sauce with reduced glycemic impact.
• Spiced Caramel Fusion: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom during the final seasoning stage for a warm, aromatic complexity to the classic recipe.
• Chocolate Caramel Blend: Whisk in dark chocolate chips or cocoa powder after removing from heat for a decadent chocolate-caramel hybrid sauce.

FAQs

• Why does my caramel sauce crystallize?

Sugar can crystallize if you stir too much during initial melting. Use a clean, dry pan and avoid stirring; instead, gently swirl the pan to help sugar melt evenly.

• How do I prevent burning the sugar?

Watch the sugar closely and use medium heat. The color should change gradually from white to golden amber. Remove from heat immediately when it reaches a deep amber color to prevent burning.

• What if my caramel sauce separates?

If butter and sugar separate, keep stirring continuously and maintain steady heat. If separation persists, add a tablespoon of warm water and whisk vigorously to help recombine.

• Can I fix grainy caramel sauce?

Return the sauce to low heat and stir gently. The heat will help dissolve sugar crystals. If graininess continues, strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove solid sugar particles.

Quick & Easy Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe

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4.5 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Homemade salted caramel sauce delivers sweet-salty magic in mere minutes, promising rich flavor without complicated steps. Kitchen novices and dessert enthusiasts can effortlessly drizzle this luxurious sauce over ice cream, cakes, or simply enjoy it by the spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Position a medium saucepan over medium heat, spreading granulated sugar evenly across the bottom surface.
2. Gently manipulate the sugar with a wooden spoon, ensuring consistent movement to prevent burning and promote uniform melting.
3. Watch carefully as sugar transforms from white crystals to liquid golden amber, approximately 3-4 minutes, maintaining constant stirring.
4. Carefully introduce cold butter into the molten sugar, whisking vigorously to create a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
5. Slowly stream heavy cream into the caramel, anticipating intense bubbling and potential splattering; continue stirring until mixture stabilizes and becomes silky.
6. Immediately remove pan from heat source, incorporating sea salt and vanilla extract with swift, deliberate strokes.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt if desired for enhanced flavor complexity.
8. Transfer sauce to a heat-resistant container, allowing natural cooling at room temperature for approximately 15-20 minutes.
9. Seal in an airtight glass jar and refrigerate, where sauce will maintain optimal quality for up to two weeks.

Notes

• Choose a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent burning and ensure even heat distribution during caramel making.
• Watch the sugar closely as it can quickly transition from perfect amber to burnt, ruining the entire batch.
• Use room temperature butter and cream to prevent dangerous splattering when adding to hot sugar.
• Customize the salt level by starting with a small amount and gradually increasing to suit personal taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg