Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce
Discover the creamy, rich flavor of Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce with this easy and quick recipe using simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for drizzling over ice cream, stirring into coffee, or enhancing your favorite desserts, this sauce offers a buttery sweetness balanced with a hint of sea salt for an irresistible treat.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup (serves 8-10) 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Basic Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Variations
- Full-fat coconut milk (as a substitute for heavy cream, for a dairy-free option)
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, or cayenne (optional spices for spiced caramel)
- Pure maple syrup (to replace part of the sugar for maple salted caramel)
- Coconut oil-based butter and coconut cream (for a vegan version)
- Step 1: Melt the Sugar – Begin by heating granulated sugar over medium heat in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, stirring gently as it melts slowly. Watch closely to prevent burning, allowing it to transform into a smooth, amber-colored liquid.
- Step 2: Add the Butter – Once the sugar has fully melted, immediately stir in the unsalted butter in chunks, whisking constantly until it’s completely melted and combined for a silky texture.
- Step 3: Pour in the Cream – Carefully add the heavy cream in a slow stream, as the mixture will bubble vigorously. Keep stirring until everything is well incorporated and smooth.
- Step 4: Season with Sea Salt and Vanilla – Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in sea salt and optional vanilla extract to taste. This adds the signature salty contrast and a warm, fragrant undertone.
- Step 5: Cool and Store – Allow the sauce to cool at room temperature before transferring to a clean jar. It will thicken as it cools, ready to elevate any dessert or snack.
Notes
- Use a heavy-bottomed pan to prevent hot spots and burning for even caramelization.
- Keep the heat moderate to avoid burning the sugar.
- Stir gently and slowly to promote even melting without crystallization.
- Add cream slowly to prevent splattering and ensure smooth consistency.
- Store the sauce refrigerated in a sealed jar for freshness and longevity (up to two weeks).
- The sauce can be frozen in airtight containers or ice cube trays; thaw overnight before use.
- Warm gently in microwave or on stove to return to pourable consistency without burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: salted caramel, caramel sauce, homemade caramel, dessert sauce, easy caramel sauce, sweet sauce, dessert topping