Easy Caramel Sauce (Printable)
Rich and silky homemade caramel sauce ready in 15 minutes. Perfect topping for ice cream, cakes, and fresh fruit.
# What You'll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 - 1 cup granulated sugar
02 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
03 - 1/2 cup heavy cream, room temperature
04 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat sugar in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly with a heat-resistant spatula or wooden spoon as sugar melts, clumps, then transforms into golden-brown liquid.
02 - Once sugar reaches deep amber color, carefully add butter cubes. Mixture will bubble vigorously; continue stirring until butter melts completely and incorporates into caramel.
03 - Slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring. Mixture will bubble up again; continue stirring until sauce becomes smooth and fully combined.
04 - Remove from heat. Stir in salt and vanilla extract until evenly distributed throughout sauce.
05 - Allow sauce to cool for 10-15 minutes before using. Caramel will naturally thicken as it reaches room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This comes together in 15 minutes with ingredients you already have in your pantry
- The silky texture makes everything taste like it came from a fancy dessert shop
02 -
- Sugar can burn in seconds, so have all ingredients measured and ready before you start
- The bubbling when adding butter and cream is normal but keep your face back from the steam
03 -
- A heavy-bottomed saucepan prevents hot spots that can cause the sugar to burn unevenly
- If sugar crystallizes on the sides of the pan, use a wet pastry brush to wash it down