Simple, Creamy Homemade Caramel Sauce (No Thermometer Needed)
Make rich, buttery caramel sauce from scratch easily. This beginner recipe requires no candy thermometer and results in a thick, pourable topping perfect for ice cream, coffee, or apple pie.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: About 1 1/4 cups 1x
- Category: Dessert Topping
- Method: Stovetop Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, warmed slightly
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (optional, for salted caramel)
Instructions
- Place the sugar in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Do not stir initially.
- Allow the sugar to melt around the edges. Once melting starts, gently stir the sugar constantly with a heatproof spatula until all the sugar dissolves and turns a deep amber color. Watch closely; this happens fast.
- Remove the pan from the heat immediately. Carefully whisk in the butter pieces, one piece at a time, until fully melted and incorporated. The mixture will bubble vigorously.
- Slowly pour in the warm heavy cream while whisking continuously. The mixture will bubble up again. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth.
- Return the pan to low heat for one minute, stirring constantly, to ensure everything is fully combined and smooth. Do not let it boil.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and sea salt, if using.
- Pour the caramel sauce into a heatproof jar or container. It will thicken as it cools. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Reheat gently before serving.
Notes
- Warm your heavy cream slightly before adding it; cold cream can cause the hardened sugar to seize up.
- If the sauce hardens too much upon cooling, reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until you reach your desired pourable caramel consistency.
- This recipe makes a wonderful caramel drizzle for desserts and coffee drinks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 30mg