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5.0 from 15 votes

Easy Caramel Sauce

This homemade caramel sauce recipe more than delivers on its promise of ridiculously rich, thick, gooey caramel goodness.

Prep Time
5 mins
Additional Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 12 (2-tbsp) servings
Calories: 116 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream warmed
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons (1 oz) unsalted butter room temperature
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a high-sided medium saucepan, heat the sugar and water over medium heat to dissolve the sugar. Now, resist the urge to stir! It can cause the sugar to crystallize.
  2. Continue cooking the mixture until it turns a deep amber color and registers 340° to 350°F on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. This can happen suddenly, so keep an eagle eye on the stove.
  3. Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat and slowly whisk in the warmed heavy cream. The caramel will bubble and hiss, so be careful. Continue whisking until smooth and luscious.
  4. Stir in the butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until combined.
  5. Cool the sauce for a few minutes before pouring it into a glass jar. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

Notes

  • Homemade salted caramel variation--Add 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of salt to the caramel sauce to suit your taste.
  • Storage and freezing--Store the caramel in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Scaling--I don't recommend doubling or tripling the recipe. Make individual batches, as needed.
  • Reheating--Refrigerated caramel is very thick. To loosen the sauce, let it sit at room temperature for an hour, or microwave it in 10-second increments, stirring between each one, until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Serving 2tablespoons Calories 116kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 17g (6%) Protein 0.3g (1%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Monounsaturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 16mg (5%) Sodium 7mg (0%) Sugar 17g (34%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12(2-tbsp) servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 116

% Daily Value*

Serving 2tablespoons
Calories 116kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 17g 6%
Protein 0.3g 1%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Sodium 7mg 0%
Sugar 17g 34%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.