There’s something magical about homemade salted caramel sauce — buttery, rich, and just the right balance of sweet and salty. It’s one of those recipes that instantly makes everything taste better, whether you drizzle it over ice cream, swirl it into brownies, or dip fresh apple slices right into it.
And the best part? You can make this dreamy caramel sauce at home in about 10 minutes with just a few pantry staples — no candy thermometer required!
The Story Behind the Sauce
A few weeks ago, my friend Kara texted me:
“You should make something with salted caramel!”
And that’s when I realized — I hadn’t shared any caramel recipes yet. Not one!
As someone who believes caramel deserves its own food group, I knew I had to fix that fast. So here it is — my Easy Salted Caramel Sauce, smooth, creamy, buttery, and completely irresistible. It’s the kind of kitchen staple that instantly elevates any dessert (or snack).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Only five ingredients and about 10 minutes of hands-on time.
- No Thermometer Needed: Perfect for beginners!
- Versatile: Delicious on cakes, pancakes, pretzels, apples, or straight from the spoon.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Stores beautifully in the fridge for whenever a caramel craving strikes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
- ¾ cup heavy cream (30–40% milk fat)
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Melt the Sugar
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the sugar over medium to medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof rubber spatula.
The sugar will first form clumps, then gradually melt into a smooth, golden-amber syrup. Keep stirring until all the sugar dissolves and no clumps remain.
Step 2: Add the Butter
Carefully add the butter pieces to the melted sugar. The mixture will bubble up — this is normal! Stir continuously until the butter melts completely and combines with the sugar.
Step 3: Pour in the Cream
Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring. The mixture will bubble again, so take care and keep stirring. Let it boil for about 1–2 minutes until smooth and glossy.
Step 4: Add Salt and Vanilla
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the salt and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the caramel sauce to cool before transferring it to a glass jar or heatproof container. It will thicken as it cools.
Drizzle it over ice cream, pancakes, brownies, or cheesecake, or serve it as a dip for apple slices and pretzels.
Tips for Perfect Caramel Every Time
- Keep stirring: Sugar burns easily, so stay close and stir constantly once it starts melting.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot: Helps distribute heat evenly and prevents scorching.
- Be patient: The sugar may clump before it melts — don’t panic, just keep stirring!
- Watch the color: A rich amber color means deep caramel flavor; too dark means bitter.
- Don’t skip the salt: It enhances flavor and balances sweetness beautifully.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store cooled caramel sauce in a sealed jar for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat: Warm in the microwave (10–15 seconds at a time) or over low heat on the stovetop until pourable again.
Ways to Use Salted Caramel Sauce
- Drizzle over vanilla ice cream or milkshakes
- Spoon onto pancakes or waffles
- Dip pretzels, apple slices, or cookies
- Swirl into cheesecake batter or brownies
- Layer in parfaits or trifles
- Gift it in jars for holidays or birthdays
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 149 kcal
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 0g
(Based on 12 servings; values may vary depending on ingredients.)
Final Thoughts
Once you make this Easy Salted Caramel Sauce, you’ll never want store-bought again. It’s rich, silky, and irresistibly sweet with just the right salty kick. The fact that it comes together so quickly makes it a total win for fall baking, weekend treats, or holiday gifting.
So grab your saucepan — and a spoon — and get ready to fall in love with this golden, buttery perfection.