The BEST Caramel Sauce (with video!)

May 2024 · 8 minute read
two image collage showing caramel sauce on vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce in the sauce pan. Center color block with text overlay.

This delicious Caramel Sauce is so easy to make and tastes about a million times better than anything you can buy at the store! It’s such a versatile ingredient, you’ll find yourself making it year round because caramel sauce makes everything better! Love caramel? Make sure to try this Overnight Caramel Pecan Cinnamon RollsChocolate Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce, and this Easy Caramel Apple Dip!

caramel-sauce-recipe-with-vanilla-ice-cream-in-dish

Caramel Sauce

Not sure there is anything on earth I love more than caramel. There is just something so pure about the flavor: so buttery, so sweet. I put it in and on everything imaginable and that’s why I wanted to share this easy caramel sauce recipe with you.

I know you’re going to find you love it as much as I do. It’s a condiment that I keep in the fridge at all times, just like me Strawberry Ice Cream Topping, whipping up another batch when necessary.

It cools to a spoonable, firm consistency so it’s perfect for layering in bars like these  Oatmeal Caramel Truffle Brownies and Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. It also made it’s way into the Brownie Ice Cream Cake I shared with you just last week.

Basically, it’s errrrything.

free email course

5 SECRETS TO GETTING DINNER ON THE TABLE...FAST!

We love to pour it on top of homemade ice cream like this Monster Cookie Dough Ice Cream or forgo the cream cheese icing on this Easy Banana Cake and serve it with caramel sauce instead for a bananas fosters take on the cake. Seriously you guys, you CAN.NOT.GO.WRONG.HERE.

easy-caramel-sauce-in-sauce-pan

Years ago, I shared this recipe for Buttermilk Bourbon Caramel Sauce and it’s been so popular lately that I thought I should share my basic caramel sauce recipe with you as well.

Just like in the bourbon caramel sauce, I use a technique that requires very little time and delivers superior results.

How To Make Caramel Sauce

Whenever you are making a new recipe, I always recommend you read through the ingredients and instructions at least TWICE before beginning. This ensures there are no surprises.

This is doubly true of candy recipes – which homemade caramel sauce definitely is. Things happen slowly and then all of a sudden, very quickly.

If you’re not prepared or are not paying close attention, the sugar can, and WILL, burn. No bueno. Have all your ingredients pre-measured so you’re not measuring out the heavy cream while keeping an eye on the sugar.

Let’s do this:

  • Combine the sugar and water (and optional corn syrup) in a heavy bottomed sauce pan over medium low heat.
  • Bring to a gentle boil while keeping the heat at medium, whisking or stirring frequently until sugar is dissolved.
  • Cook, without stirring. Gently swirl the mixture around the pan occasionally and brush down the sides of the pan with a wet silicone brush as needed to keep sugar crystals from forming.
  • Continue swirling (as needed) and cooking until the mixture turns golden in color (6 to 9 minutes).
  • Remove from heat.
  • Stir in the heavy cream, butter, and salt until the butter has melted and the caramel is smooth. Be careful, the mixture will bubble up.
  • Stir in vanilla – if you are using.
  • Let caramel sauce cool for 15 minutes in the sauce pan before pouring into a large glass jar for storage.
  • caramel-sauce-being-poured-into-glass-jar

    Ingredients Needed

    Caramel is, at it’s core, a combination of sugar, butter, and heavy cream. I use a few other ingredients to give the caramel even more amazing flavor. Let’s talk about it.

    easy-caramel-sauce-in-sauce-pan-spoon-drizzle

    Salted Caramel Sauce

    The only difference between the caramel sauce recipe below and salted caramel sauce is the addition of some salt – surprise!

    You really should use sea salt or kosher salt – I prefer the flavor of sea salt. You don’t need a bunch, just a half teaspoon or so to give it that special salted caramel flavor.

    FAQs

    caramel-sauce-silicone-brush-pan

    Special Tools Needed

    This caramel sauce really doesn’t require much to make. You don’t need a candy thermometer or anything like that. But here are the tools that I do recommend:

    salted-caramel-drizzle-onto-ice-cream

    More Treats for Your Sweet Tooth

  • To Die For Carrot Cake
  • The Best Coconut Cream Pie
  • Best Key Lime Pie
  • Cheesecake Brownies
  • The BEST Ambrosia Salad
  • How To Make Caramel Sauce

    The BEST Caramel Sauce

    This delicious Caramel Sauce is so easy to make and tastes about a million times better than anything you can buy at the store! It's such a versatile ingredient, you'll find yourself making it year round because caramel sauce makes everything better! 

    Course Dessert Cuisine American Keyword caramel sauce, salted caramel sauce Prep Time 5 minutes Cook Time 15 minutes Servings 32 Author Trish - Mom On Timeout

    Ingredients

    Instructions

    Notes

    Recipe can be doubled. OPTIONAL Add one tablespoon of corn syrup in with the sugar and water to help prevent crystals from forming while cooking the sugar.

    ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rrvMqKWtoZ2avLbAjZympmeTlr%2BiucSlZKyZpZiycA%3D%3D