Silky Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe For Sweet Moments

Creamy, golden salted caramel sauce can turn an ordinary dessert into pure magic.

Whispers of sweet and salty dance across your palate with each delectable spoonful.

Rich amber liquid promises indulgence beyond compare.

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

Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore its versatility for drizzling over ice cream, cake, or fresh fruit.

Careful stirring and precise heat control create a silky smooth texture that’ll make you feel like a culinary genius.

Let’s transform your kitchen into a decadent sweet haven that’ll impress everyone who tastes this luxurious treat.

Salted Caramel Sauce You’ll Want On Everything

• Quick and Easy Cooking: Effortlessly craft a decadent salted caramel sauce that transforms ordinary desserts into extraordinary treats.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Whip up this luxurious sauce using just five basic pantry staples – sugar, butter, cream, vanilla, and salt – no fancy equipment required.
• Versatile Dessert Enhancer: Drizzle over ice cream, swirl into coffee, spread on cakes, or use as a dipping sauce for fruits and pastries, making it a kitchen superstar that elevates any sweet creation.
• Foolproof Technique: Master the art of caramel-making with simple step-by-step instructions that guarantee success, even for novice home cooks who might feel intimidated by sugar work.

What Builds Salted Caramel Sauce

• Sugar: Core ingredient that transforms into rich caramel color and sweet foundation.
• Butter: Adds creamy richness and smooth texture to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates silky consistency and balances the caramel's sweetness.

• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, deep background flavor and aromatic complexity.
• Salt: Highlights caramel's sweetness and creates balanced, complex taste profile.

• Sugar: Prefer granulated white sugar for consistent melting and color.
• Butter: Use unsalted, softened butter for better control of final saltiness.
• Heavy Cream: Room temperature or slightly warmed cream prevents sauce from seizing.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract offers more authentic flavor than imitation.
• Salt: Fine sea salt or kosher salt works best for even distribution.

• Use light-colored pan to monitor caramel color precisely.
• Low, steady heat prevents burning and ensures even caramelization.
• Gentle stirring helps sugar melt uniformly without crystallizing.

How to Make Salted Caramel Sauce

Step 1: Melt the Sugar Slowly

Place sugar in a wide, light-colored pan over low heat.

Watch as the sugar begins transforming, gradually stirring to help it melt evenly.

The sugar will look bumpy and uneven initially, but continue gently stirring.

Patiently cook until the sugar develops a deep golden caramel color, which might take around 15-20 minutes.

Step 2: Blend in Creamy Butter

Remove pan from heat and add softened butter.

Whisk thoroughly until the butter completely melts.

Don’t worry if the mixture looks separated—this is totally normal during the process.

Step 3: Pour in Warm Cream

Gently introduce warm heavy cream into the caramel mixture.

Warm the cream briefly in the microwave beforehand.

Whisk carefully as the mixture will bubble and froth dramatically before settling into a smooth, luxurious sauce.

If the sauce becomes too thick, simply return to low heat and stir until reaching desired consistency.

Step 4: Season with Flavor Enhancers

Incorporate vanilla and salt.

Start with a small amount of salt, taste, and adjust according to your preference.

This step adds depth and complexity to the caramel.

Step 5: Cool and Prepare for Storage

Transfer the caramel sauce into a heat-safe glass container.

Allow it to cool at room temperature for approximately one hour.

During cooling, the sauce will naturally thicken into a silky, rich texture.

Step 6: Store and Serve

Keep the caramel sauce in an airtight container inside the refrigerator.

When ready to use, gently reheat in the microwave using short 10-20 second intervals.

Salted Caramel Sauce Usage Ideas

• Use a light-colored pan to track caramel color changes accurately, preventing accidental burning during the delicate melting process.
• Stir gently and consistently to ensure smooth caramel transformation, avoiding sudden movements that might cause sugar to seize or crystallize.
• Warm heavy cream slightly before adding to prevent sauce from cooling rapidly or creating unwanted lumps during incorporation.
• Always use heat-resistant utensils and wear protective gloves when working with molten sugar to avoid potential burns during cooking.
• Start with minimal salt, taste progressively, and incrementally add more to achieve perfectly balanced salted caramel flavor without overwhelming sweetness.

Caramel Sauce That Pours Smooth Again

• Store salted caramel sauce in an airtight glass container for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, ensuring a tight seal to prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Warm the sauce gently in the microwave using 10-15 second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and maintain smooth consistency.
• Pour sauce into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1/2 inch of space for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before use.
• Before serving reheated sauce, inspect for any separation or unusual smell, and discard if texture appears grainy or off-color.

Best Matches For Caramel Sauce

• Pair with Decadent Desserts: Drizzle this salted caramel sauce over brownies, cheesecake, or apple pie for an indulgent flavor boost.
• Elevate Ice Cream Experience: Transform plain vanilla or chocolate ice cream into a gourmet treat by generously pouring this rich caramel sauce on top.
• Match with Beverage Companions: Complement the sauce's sweet-salty profile with a robust espresso, smooth bourbon, or creamy Irish coffee for a perfect flavor harmony.
• Create Breakfast Magic: Swirl over pancakes, waffles, or French toast to elevate your morning breakfast with a luxurious caramel twist.

Caramel Sauce Flavor Twists

• Vegan Caramel Sauce: Replace butter with coconut oil and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free alternative that maintains rich, creamy texture.
• Maple Caramel Twist: Substitute half the sugar with pure maple syrup for a deeper, more complex flavor profile with natural sweetness.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia blend in place of traditional sugar, creating a lighter caramel sauce with reduced calories.
• Spiced Caramel Variation: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom during the final stirring stage to create a warm, aromatic caramel sauce perfect for autumn desserts.

FAQs

• Why does my sugar look grainy when I start melting it?

Sugar naturally looks grainy and lumpy at first. Keep stirring gently over low heat, and it will eventually melt smoothly into a golden liquid. Be patient and avoid high heat, which can cause burning.

• Is it normal for the mixture to look separated after adding butter?

Yes, this is completely normal. When you first add butter to the melted sugar, the mixture might look curdled or split. Continue whisking, and it will eventually come together into a smooth sauce.

• How can I prevent my caramel from burning?

Use a light-colored pan to monitor color changes, cook over low heat, and stir gently. Watch carefully and remove from heat when it reaches a deep golden caramel color. The process takes time, so resist the urge to increase heat.

• What if my caramel becomes too thick?

If the caramel thickens or seizes up, simply turn the heat to low and continue stirring. You can also add a small amount of warm cream to help restore the desired consistency and smoothness.

Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet caramel cascades with a delightful salty twist, making this Salted Caramel Sauce a luxurious drizzle for desserts. Creamy, rich, and irresistibly indulgent, you’ll want to pour this golden elixir over everything from ice cream to pastries.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
• 3/4 cup (180g) heavy cream, warmed

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Select a wide, light-colored saucepan to ensure even heat distribution and clear visibility of sugar transformation during caramelization.
2. Pour granulated sugar into the pan and place over low heat, allowing it to gradually melt without stirring immediately.
3. As sugar begins to liquefy, gently manipulate with a heat-resistant spatula, encouraging uniform melting and preventing crystallization.
4. Continue cooking until the melted sugar develops a rich, amber-toned caramel color, which typically requires approximately 12-18 minutes of careful attention.
5. Remove pan from heat source and introduce softened butter, whisking vigorously to create a homogeneous mixture that might initially appear separated.
6. Warm heavy cream in the microwave for roughly 25 seconds to prevent temperature shock when added to the caramel.
7. Gradually stream the heated cream into the caramel, whisking continuously to manage the intense bubbling and potential splattering.
8. If the sauce becomes overly thick or appears grainy, return pan to low heat and stir until achieving a smooth, glossy consistency.
9. Incorporate vanilla extract and salt, adjusting seasoning gradually to balance the sauce’s sweet and savory profile.
10. Transfer the caramel to a heat-resistant glass container, allowing it to cool and naturally thicken at room temperature for approximately one hour.
11. Once cooled, seal the container and refrigerate, reheating in short microwave intervals before serving to restore ideal pouring consistency.

Notes

• Select a wide-bottomed, light-colored pan to monitor caramel color change precisely and prevent burning.
• Maintain extremely low heat during sugar melting to ensure gradual, even transformation without scorching.
• Warm cream beforehand prevents sudden temperature shock that could cause sauce separation or crystallization.
• Start with minimal salt, taste progressively, and adjust to create perfect balanced sweet-salty flavor profile.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother incorporation and consistent sauce texture.
• Whisk gently during butter and cream addition to prevent sauce from breaking or becoming grainy.
• Allow sauce to cool naturally for optimal thickening without refrigeration interference.
• Consider dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream for vegan-friendly version.
• Reheat sauce slowly in short microwave intervals to maintain silky consistency.
• Keep stored caramel sauce refrigerated up to two weeks for maximum freshness.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 138
• Sugar: 24g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Cholesterol: 20mg