Description
This rich and silky caramel sauce is a perfect blend of sweet and buttery flavors, ideal for drizzling over desserts, ice cream, or using in baking. Made with simple ingredients like sugar, butter, and heavy cream, this homemade caramel sauce is easy to prepare and elevates any sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramel Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional, for salted caramel)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Melt Sugar: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the sugar while stirring constantly with a heat-resistant spatula. Continue stirring to ensure the sugar dissolves evenly and does not burn.
- Add Butter: Once the sugar has melted completely and turned a deep amber color, carefully add the cubed butter. Stir continuously until the butter is fully melted and combined with the sugar.
- Incorporate Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring the mixture; be cautious as the mixture will bubble up vigorously. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and well combined, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add Salt and Vanilla: If you prefer salted caramel, stir in the salt at this stage. Add the vanilla extract if desired, and mix until fully incorporated, enhancing the sauce’s flavor.
- Cool and Store: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the caramel sauce to cool slightly before serving or transferring to an airtight container. The sauce will thicken as it cools, giving it a luscious, silky texture.
Notes
- Use a heat-resistant spatula to safely stir the hot sugar mixture.
- Be cautious when adding butter and cream to avoid bubbling burns.
- The caramel sauce thickens as it cools, so adjust thickness by reheating gently if necessary.
- Store caramel sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave to restore pourable consistency.
