Caramel Glaze
This buttery caramel glaze is easy to make in just 10 minutes, and it adds rich, sweet flavor to everything from spice cakes to bread pudding. With just four ingredients—brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, and heavy cream—it creates a velvety finish that’s perfect for drizzling over your favorite baked goods. Try it on fig cake, apple cake, or even pancakes for an indulgent touch.
This easy caramel glaze is a quick way to elevate just about any dessert. With just four ingredients and a few minutes on the stovetop, you’ll have a buttery, rich topping that adds instant charm and sweetness.
It’s especially good on spice cakes, apple cakes, or fig preserves cake, but it’s just as delightful drizzled over a warm loaf of quick bread or a stack of pancakes. One reader even used evaporated milk instead of cream with great results, making this recipe both flexible and delicious.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Caramel Glaze
Quick and easy. It comes together in just about 10 minutes.
Versatile. Use it on cakes, muffins, quick breads, pancakes, or bread pudding.
Rich flavor. Butter, brown sugar, and cream create a smooth, indulgent glaze.
Customizable. Swap in evaporated milk or a splash of vanilla if you like.
How to Make Our Caramel Glaze
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Stir in the brown and granulated sugars and cook until bubbly.
- Add the cream, bring to a boil, and cook briefly, stirring constantly.
- Let the glaze cool slightly, then drizzle it over your cooled cake or bread.
Recipe Variations
- Try evaporated milk. It’s a great substitute if you don’t have cream on hand.
- Add a splash of vanilla. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract after removing it from the heat.
- Make it salted. Add a pinch of flaky sea salt for a salted caramel twist.
Serving Suggestions
- Drizzle over spice cake, apple cake, or fig cake.
- Use as a topping for bread pudding or banana bread.
- Serve warm over pancakes or waffles for a breakfast treat.
- Spoon it over ice cream.
- Finish with toasted nuts for extra texture and flavor.
How to Store
Refrigerate. Store leftover glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat. Warm gently in a saucepan over low heat or in short intervals in the microwave, stirring frequently.
Freeze? Not recommended, as the texture may become grainy upon thawing.
Caramel Cake Glaze
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Combine ingredients. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the pan.
- Cook and add cream. Cook the butter and sugar mixture 1 minute or until bubbly, stirring constantly. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a boil. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.
- Cool and serve. Remove the glaze from the heat and let it cool slightly. Spoon the warm caramel glaze over a cooled cake.
