Homemade Caramel Sauce

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This homemade caramel sauce recipe is super easy to make. It is a versatile sauce that can be used for dipping, drizzling over ice cream, or served on top of other decadent desserts.

A jar of caramel sauce with caramel dripping down the side and a spoon sitting next to the jar.

This recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and is a friendly option for the budget-wise. It tastes amazing, it’s better than store-bought, and is simple enough to whip up a batch any time you have a recipe that calls for caramel sauce.


How do you make caramel sauce from scratch?

There are two different ways to make caramel – the dry method and the wet method.

Dry caramel is made with just sugar. Dry caramel is more difficult because it tends to burn easily and the sugar clumps together. This can result in a grainy caramel.

Wet caramel is made by dissolving sugar in water then allowing it to caramelize. I  use this method because it is so much easier. The sugar caramelizes more evenly and I never end up with a grainy caramel.

And it’s rumored that wet caramel has a better taste because the process takes longer. That’s a plus in my book!

Homemade caramel sauce being drizzled in a tall mason jar with a light blue napkin behind it.

This is an easy no-fail recipe. While a candy thermometer is a great tool when making caramel, it is not required. But if you are inexperienced with making caramel at home, I highly suggest using one.


What are the ingredients in caramel?

This homemade caramel sauce is made with white sugar, heavy cream, butter, salt, and vanilla extract. More than likely you already have these on hand.

A small pinch of table salt is added to enhance the flavor. However, it’s not enough salt to call it salted caramel. You can barely detect it. But feel free to add a bit more salt to make it a salted caramel sauce.

Some recipes call for corn syrup but it isn’t needed when using the wet caramel method.

This is my absolute favorite thick caramel sauce recipe. It’s wonderful on top of so many different treats.

Drizzle it over double chocolate brownies. Use it to make salted caramel frosting and caramel sweet potato pie. Serve it over the top of apple cinnamon scones. The possibilities are endless!

After you’ve mastered this recipe, you should try making this easy caramel sauce in the microwave!

Homemade caramel sauce bring drizzled over a scoop of ice cream in a white bowl.

When making caramel sauce at home, never leave its side. A lovely amber colored caramel can turn to burnt in the blink of an eye.

A candy thermometer is a great tool if you are not sure when to remove the melted sugar from the heat. Once the melted sugar registers above 330° F, pay close attention to the color.

As soon as it turns a deep amber color, remove it from the heat.

Take great care when adding the cream to the hot melted sugar! As you pour in the cream, the mixture will bubble up fiercely and release scorching hot steam.

Go slow and don’t splash yourself. Leave the hot caramel in the pot until it cools to room temperature before transferring it to a container for storage.


Questions about homemade caramel sauce

Can I sub brown sugar for granulated sugar and get same results?

You can use brown sugar if you don’t have white sugar. Keep in mind, brown sugar is made with molasses so this will affect the overall flavor of your caramel sauce.

Can you tell me why you do not stir while the sugar water mixture is boiling?

Sugar crystals like to cling on to anything around them. Even though you can’t see the crystals once the sugar has dissolved, they are still there. Stirring at this point will entice the crystals to hook up with surrounding crystals which will make the sauce grainy.

My sugar clumped when I added the heavy cream why?

This can happen when pouring a cold liquid into hot melty caramel. To prevent this from happening, pour the cream in very slowly and whisk continuously while you do so.

How do you thicken caramel sauce?

Caramel sauce typically thickens as it cools. If your sauce is too thin after cooling, you can simmer it on the stove. Let the sauce cook over low heat for about 10 minutes. The excess liquid will evaporate and the sauce will be thicker.

How long does homemade caramel sauce last?

Caramel sauce will keep for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container stored in the refrigerator. It can be warmed for a few seconds before use.

It can also be frozen. Place in a freezer-safe container once it has cooled and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm before serving.

Homemade caramel sauce bring drizzled over a scoop of ice cream in a white bowl.
4.68 from 58 votes

Homemade Caramel Sauce

This homemade caramel sauce recipe is super easy to make. It is a versatile sauce that can be used for dipping, drizzling over ice cream, or served on top of other decadent desserts.
Prep Time :10 minutes
Cook Time :10 minutes
Total Time :20 minutes
Servings :16
Author :Jen Sobjack

Ingredients

  • cup (80 ml) water
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • teaspoon salt, optional

Instructions
 

  • Add the water and sugar to a 5-cup stainless steel saucepan. (Non-stick cookware is not recommended for this recipe.) Heat over medium-high heat until it begins to boil, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar.
  • Turn the heat down to medium and insert a candy thermometer. (You don’t need a thermometer, but it is a great tool for inexperienced caramel cooks.) Do not stir the sugar as it boils.
  • As soon as the mixture reaches 330 degrees F, watch for it to turn a deep amber color and immediately remove it from the heat. Take care not to let it go too far because it will burn. Carefully and slowly pour the cream into the caramelized sugar while whisking. The caramel will bubble up and is extremely hot. Continue to whisk until all the cream has been added and is mixed in thoroughly.
  • Whisk in the butter, vanilla, and salt (if using). Set the pot on a wire rack to cool completely before transferring to a glass container for storage.

Video

Notes

  • Make sure the heavy cream isn’t super cold. Let it sit out for a few minutes before you begin making the sauce.
  • Add a full teaspoon of salt to make salted caramel sauce.
Make ahead tip
  1. Caramel sauce will keep for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container stored in the refrigerator. Caramel can be warmed for a few seconds before use.
  2. Caramel sauce also freezes well. Place in a freezer-safe container once it has cooled and freeze for up to 3 months.  Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm before serving.
Makes about 2 cups.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 106kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 0.3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 22mgPotassium: 12mgSugar: 13gVitamin A: 230IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.02mg
*Nutrition Disclaimer
Course :Dessert
Cuisine :American
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Recipe Rating




94 Comments

  1. Homemade caramel sauce is definitely better than the store bought version any day! This looks so delicious, gorgeous pictures too!

  2. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says:

    5 stars
    I LOVE caramel sauce and homemade is absolutely the best. I wish I had some of yours with a big bowl of ice cream right now! YUM!

    1. It would be so good over ice cream.

  3. Manali @ CookWithManali says:

    Homemade Caramel sauce is the best , so good over anything & everything! I love the lighting in the pictures Jen 🙂

  4. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says:

    5 stars
    I LOVE caramel sauce and homemade is absolutely the best. I wish I had some of yours with a big bowl of ice cream right now! YUM!

  5. Medha @ Whisk & Shout says:

    Homemade caramel is so much better than the synthetic storebought! Yum 🙂

  6. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says:

    5 stars
    Homemade caramel sauce is the best! I made my own last fall and I think I ate it all with just my spoon…oops! Your version sounds fantastic, Jen! I would eat this on just about anything!

    1. I can see how easy it would be to eat it all with a spoon. Homemade caramel sauce is darn good stuff!

  7. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says:

    5 stars
    Homemade caramel sauce is the best! I made my own last fall and I think I ate it all with just my spoon…oops! Your version sounds fantastic, Jen! I would eat this on just about anything!

  8. Katalina @ Peas & Peonies says:

    5 stars
    Caramel sauce is a staple in our house, thats almost how I make mine, minus the water, what is it used for? to make it more liquid aka pourable?

  9. annie@ciaochowbambina says:

    5 stars
    I am making this! I can’t wait!! Homemade caramel is the best!

  10. 5 stars
    Looks perfect Jen! I just bought some caramel sauce, but once I finish it, I’ll try your recipe! Thats for sharing!