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jar of homemade caramel sauce sitting on cutting board on counter top

Homemade Caramel Sauce

Joanna
A quick and easy version of homemade caramel sauce that is delicious on sliced apples, drizzled over ice cream or swirled into coffee. Makes about 1 cup of caramel sauce.
5 from 5 votes
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 1/8 cup
Calories 208 kcal

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • Wooden Spoon or High Heat Resistant Spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Cup Brown sugar I use light brown sugar but you can also use dark.
  • 1/2 Cup Heavy whipping cream
  • 4 tablespoons Butter I use salted butter but if you use unsalted butter, add a touch more salt.
  • 1/2 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
  • Pinch Salt You can increase amount of salt to make a salted caramel sauce. See notes.

Instructions
 

  • In a medium heavy-duty stainless steel saucepan, melt the butter over medium-heat on the stovetop.
    4 tablespoons Butter
  • Add the brown sugar and pinch of salt to the saucepan. Stir till combined.
    1 Cup Brown sugar, Pinch Salt
  • Stir in the heavy cream to the melted sugar and increase heat to medium-high heat.
    1/2 Cup Heavy whipping cream
  • Pay close attention while you simmer the mixture, stirring often for about 5-6 minutes.
  • (If you use too high of heat, it will turn into toffee.)
  • Once the caramel sauce has thickened, remove from heat.
  • Add in the vanilla extract and stir it in till fully incorporated.
    1/2 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
  • (It will bubble up some as the alcohol evaporates.)
  • Pour into a glass jar or airtight container for storage.
  • (A mason jar works well. See storage tips below.)
  • The hot caramel will be thin at first but as the caramel cools it will thicken as it comes to room temperature.

Notes

Salted Caramel Sauce

If making salted caramel, add in 1/2 tsp of sea salt while the caramel sauce is warm for it to dissolve. Then once the sauce is cooled to room temperature, add 1/2 tsp of flaky sea salt or kosher salt for that delicious salted caramel sauce look.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 1gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 57mgPotassium: 54mgSugar: 27gVitamin A: 394IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 0.2mg
Keyword caramel
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