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homemade caramel sauce in a jar

Easy Caramel Sauce (or Salted Caramel)

Diana Rattray
Homemade caramel sauce is easier than you think! Drizzle caramel sauce over pound cake, ice cream, or pancakes, or layer it in desserts!
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Servings 16 servings
Calories 133
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Course Dessert Sauces
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon sea salt for salted caramel

Instructions

  • Put 1 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of water in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stir just to combine and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low or low and continue to cook for about 10 minutes while swirling the pan occasionally. Wash the sides down with a brush dipped in water from time to time to prevent sugar crystals.
    Making caramel sauce in a saucepan.
  • Gradually add the cream to the caramelized sugar and butter mixture, while stirring with a wooden spoon or whisk.
  • Add the brown sugar, salt, and vanilla and bring back to a boil. Boil for 1 1/2 minutes longer.
    easy homemade caramel in the pan
  • Remove from the heat and pour through a mesh sieve into a bowl. Transfer to a canning jar or container and let it cool.
  • Refrigerate the caramel sauce. When it's time to serve, spoon some into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for a few seconds until it is warm and easy to drizzle.

Notes

Sugar crystals on the sides of the pan can cause your caramel to seize and become grainy. To prevent this, dip a pastry brush in water and wash down the inside walls of the saucepan whenever you see crystals forming. This keeps the syrup smooth and ensures a silky caramel.

Nutrition

Calories: 133kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 0.3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 41mgPotassium: 16mgSugar: 16gVitamin A: 277IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 0.04mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword caramel, caramel sauce, ice cream topping
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