Decadent Homemade Caramel Sauce: A Sweet Treat You’ll Love 🍮
Caramel sauce is one of those delightful treats that can elevate any dessert to a whole new level of deliciousness. Whether drizzled over ice cream, swirled into your morning coffee, or used as a dip for fresh apple slices, this homemade caramel sauce is a versatile sweet addition to your kitchen repertoire. The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. Let’s dive into the recipe!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces 🧈
- 1/2 cup heavy cream 🥛
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 🌼
- Pinch of salt 🧂
Instructions:
1️⃣ Prepare the Sugar Mixture:
In a 3-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan, add the granulated sugar and water. Give it a gentle stir to create a flat, even layer. 🍳
2️⃣ Dissolve the Sugar:
Place the saucepan over medium heat. Warm the mixture until the sugar completely dissolves, turns clear, and starts to bubble. Initially, the mixture may appear cloudy, but soon it will transform into a clear, bubbling liquid. This process takes about 3-4 minutes. 🔥
3️⃣ Cook Without Stirring:
Once the sugar has dissolved, avoid stirring. Allow the mixture to bubble naturally, swirling the saucepan occasionally to prevent crystallization. Brush down the sides of the pan if necessary. 🍯
4️⃣ Achieve the Perfect Amber Color:
Continue to cook the mixture until it thickens and turns a deep amber color, reminiscent of honey. This step requires patience, as it can take anywhere from 8-12 minutes. Keep a close eye on the caramel to ensure it doesn’t burn. 👀
5️⃣ Incorporate the Butter:
Once the mixture reaches that beautiful amber color, carefully add the butter pieces. Be prepared, as the caramel will bubble up rapidly. Whisk the mixture continuously until the butter is completely melted. 🧈
6️⃣ Add the Cream:
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking continuously. The caramel will bubble vigorously again, so be cautious and continue whisking until all the cream is fully incorporated. 🥛
7️⃣ Flavor with Vanilla and Salt:
Whisk in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. 🌼🧂
8️⃣ Cool the Caramel:
Allow the caramel sauce to cool in the saucepan for about 10 minutes. 🕒
9️⃣ Store and Enjoy:
Once slightly cooled, pour the caramel sauce into a lidded glass jar and let it cool completely. The sauce will thicken as it cools, creating a luscious, silky texture perfect for drizzling over your favorite treats. 🏺
Now, you have a jar of rich, buttery caramel sauce ready to enhance any dessert you desire. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply indulging in a quiet night at home, this homemade caramel sauce will surely impress. Enjoy! 🍮
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Print
Caramel Sauce 🍮
- Total Time: 25min
Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces 🧈
1/2 cup heavy cream 🥛
1 teaspoon vanilla 🌼
Pinch of salt 🧂
Instructions
1️⃣ Add the sugar and water to a 3-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan; stir a little so it sits in a flat, even layer. 🍳
2️⃣ Warm the pot over medium heat and cook until the sugar dissolves, turns clear, and starts to bubble. (It will be cloudy at first, but will turn into a clear, bubbling liquid.) This takes about 3-4 minutes. 🔥
3️⃣ At this point, do not stir again – simply allow to bubble, swirl the saucepan occasionally and brush down the sides of the pan, as needed, to prevent crystallization. 🍯
4️⃣ The sugar will form clumps, but continue swirling and cooking until the mixture thickens and turns a deep amber color like honey (this can take anywhere from 8-12 minutes), keeping a watchful eye so the mixture doesn’t burn. 👀
5️⃣ Carefully add the butter and whisk until completely melted. (The caramel will bubble up rapidly, so be careful and continue to whisk.) 🧈
6️⃣ Remove the saucepan from the heat and slowly pour in the cream, whisking continuously until all of the cream has been incorporated. 🥛
7️⃣ Whisk in the vanilla and salt. 🌼🧂
8️⃣ Set aside to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. 🕒
9️⃣ Then pour into a lidded glass jar and allow to cool completely. (It will thicken as it cools.) 🏺
Enjoy your homemade caramel sauce! 🍮
- Prep Time: 10min
- Cook Time: 15min