Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe (2024)

It is so easy to learn how to make caramel sauce. This is seriously so decadent and creamy. Spoon this over ice cream, apple pie, fruit and anything you like.

Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe (1)

Homemade caramel sauce recipe

This caramel sauce is heavenly. I have to stop myself from just eating it from the jar. It is that good.

I look for any excuse to make this recipe and it never disappoints. You are going to love it too.

It is so easy to make and ready in minutes. Skip the store bought jars and taste the difference with this homemade sauce. You will not be disappointed. You might also like our Homemade Butterscotch Sauce or the The Best Blueberry Sauce.

Let’s make this easy caramel sauce!

Once you give it a try, you will never go back to store bought. It’s so yummy and easy to make.

However you decide to enjoy it, I promise it will be amazing. It is so delicious.

Everyone will think you spent all this time in the kitchen when really it took minutes. Just minutes. Can you believe you can enjoy something so fabulous with so little time?

It is just the best.

Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe (2)

Ingredients for homemade caramel sauce:

  • light brown sugar, packed
  • heavy cream
  • unsalted butter
  • salt
  • vanilla extract

With only a few simple ingredients, you can have this amazing homemade sauce in minutes. It is so good.

How to make caramel sauce:

  • First, you will need a saucepan. Add the butter, brown sugar, salt and heavy whipping cream to the pan.
Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe (3)
  • Next, bring this mixture to a boil and allow the sugar to dissolve. Let it cook for about 5 to 7 minutes and make sure to stir it constantly. Watch the time carefully because you want to cook it just until it has thickened.
  • Finally, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. It will be amber colored. Let it cool slightly to room temperature.
Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe (4)

How to Store Caramel Sauce

Give the caramel enough time to cool a little and pour it into a jar or container with lid. We like to use mason jars to store the homemade caramel.

These jars are spill proof and reusable. Such a budget friendly idea.

Do you need to refrigerate homemade caramel sauce?

Yes, it needs to be refrigerated. It will keep up to 2 weeks as long as you store it inside an airtight container.

Serve immediately or store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in airtight sealed container.

Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe (5)

How to reheat:

To reheat, cook for 30 seconds in a microwave safe bowl. Stir and heat in 10 second intervals until it is heated through and the desired consistency.

You will definitely need to reheat the sauce when ready to enjoy. It can become quite thick once cool.

Make sure to reheat the sauce in increments stirring in between so it does not burn.

Do I need a Candy Thermometer?

You don’t need a candy thermometer to make this homemade caramel recipe. Just make sure to follow the instructions and pay careful attention to the cooking time as it boils.

How to use caramel sauce

  • Caramel Apple Dump Cake – This is even better with homemade caramel sauce drizzled on top.
  • Apple Slices – I often just cup up apples and let the kids dip the slices into the yummy sauce. Such an easy but tasty treat.
  • Top on Ice cream – This is delicious on ice cream. See all our Ice Cream Sundae Toppings.

Truly the ideas are endless for using this homemade sauce.

Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe (6)

Can I use this caramel sauce for caramel apples?

No, this sauce is not thick enough to coat caramel apples. However, it is perfect for dipping apple slices or drizzling over apple nachos.

Why isn’t my caramel sauce thickening?

You may need to simmer the sauce longer over medium heat. Just remember that the sauce will continue to thicken significantly as it cools.

Often it will appear thin and you may think it isn’t going to be the right consistency. However, once it sits awhile and cools, it thickens a lot.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming it will stay thin and over cooking the sauce. You will really see a big change in the consistency once it has cooled.

Now you know how to make caramel sauce.

I told you it was so easy. Anyone can make this and it will turn out amazing.

From apples and apple pie to ice cream and more, this delicious and easy homemade sauce is always a hit. It is amazing what a few simple ingredients can combine to make.

This is one of our favorite sauces and we all just love it.

Save money and make homemade caramel sauce recipe.

I used to buy the store bought caramel sauce and the cost adds up. Plus, the jars are pretty small. If you have a large family, it does not take long to use a jar like that.

It is a much better value to make your own at home and it tastes far better. This is the perfect example of enjoying delicious recipes at home and saving money as well.

Your grocery budget will thank you and your family gets to enjoy fabulous treats. It is truly a win all around.

Let us know how it turns out for you and what you use the homemade caramel sauce for. I know it will be delicious.

It is such an easy recipe for salted caramel sauce without any corn syrup needed. The results are delicious.

Print thebest caramel sauce recipe below:

Review

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Homemade Caramel Sauce

4.29 from 46 votes

It is so easy to learn how to make caramel sauce. This is seriously so decadent and creamy. Spoon this over ice cream, apple pie, fruit and more!

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 12 minutes mins

Servings 16 (makes 2.5 cups)

Cuisine American

Course Dessert

Calories 211

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 2 cups light brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, salt and heavy whipping cream

  • Bring to boil and cook stirring constantly for 5-7 minutes or until thickened

  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract

  • Let cool slightly

  • Add to jar or container with lid

  • Serve immediately or store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in airtight sealed container

  • To reheat, cook for 30 seconds in a microwave safe bowl. Stir and heat for an additional 10 seconds or longer if necessary

Nutrition Facts

Calories 211kcal, Carbohydrates 28g, Protein 1g, Fat 11g, Saturated Fat 7g, Cholesterol 36mg, Sodium 51mg, Potassium 50mg, Sugar 27g, Vitamin A 396IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 34mg, Iron 1mg

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More Caramel recipes to try:

  • Caramel Chocolate Poke Cake
  • Caramel Dip Recipe
  • Homemade Caramel Popcorn
  • Salted Caramel Fudge
  • Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

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About the Author

Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe (16)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Desserts on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you create delicious desserts on a budget and do not require a ton of time. Together, we are going to make something sweet that the entire family will love!

About Carrie
Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How is caramel sauce made from scratch? ›

Combine brown sugar, butter, and milk in a saucepan and bring ingredients to a boil. Remove thickened mixture from heat before adding (optional) vanilla extract. Let the caramel cool slightly before using. The result is an impossibly rich sauce that is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Can I use milk instead of cream for caramel? ›

You can use whole milk, almond milk, or evaporated milk in place of heavy cream. You'll need to cook it for a couple more minutes longer after you add it so it can thicken up a bit. Try adding vanilla extract to your caramel sauce for a boosted flavor.

What are the two methods for making caramel? ›

Wet caramel is made by combining sugar and a liquid and cooking them together, while dry caramel is made from just sugar, heated in a dry pan until it liquefies and browns.

Does boiling water and sugar make caramel? ›

Making Caramel – Method 1 (Wet Method):

Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Allow sugar to melt and bring to a boil. Let the mixture caramelize and wait for it to turn dark amber in color. Do not stir, swirl pan as needed to promote even caramelization.

What is homemade caramel made of? ›

Never leave your caramel sauce unattended: To make caramel sauce you essentially toast white sugar until it's melted, before adding in butter, cream, and salt. Your sugar can go from toasty to burnt pretty quickly though, so make sure you keep a close eye on it! Don't forget the salt!

Is caramel just sugar and water? ›

Technically, the only ingredient you actually need to make caramel is sugar (although many recipes for caramel sauce also call for water, butter, cream, and a bit of salt to cut down the sweetness).

Does boiling a can of condensed milk turn into caramel? ›

Place the milk over the boiling water in the double boiler and cover with a lid. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Stirring occasionally, simmer for one-and-a-half to two hours, until the milk becomes thick and reaches the desired caramel color.

What thickens homemade caramel? ›

To thicken a caramel sauce, use one tablespoon of cornstarch or tapioca starch (sometimes known as tapioca flour) and one tablespoon of water per cup of caramel. Then simmer the caramel, stirring it constantly with a wooden spoon until it becomes thick.

Does sweetened condensed milk turn to caramel? ›

The results are delicious every single time. Sweetened condensed milk is the perfect base for making a wet caramel. It is basically milk that has had more than half of its water content removed before being sweetened and packed in cans. It is thick, rich, and shelf-stable.

Which method is quickest in caramel making? ›

For the "dry" caramel method, you simply heat the sugar in an empty pan until melted and caramelized. It's quick and direct, but the risk is that some parts of the sugar melt faster than others, and can burn before the rest had made it even to light amber.

Is white or brown sugar better for caramel? ›

The best caramel starts with regular granulated sugar. This refined white sugar is made from sugarcane or sugar beets, and it melts more evenly than unrefined sugars. Some recipes call for brown sugar as a shortcut because its dark color looks like caramel as soon as it melts.

What is the formula for caramel? ›

The typical formula for caramels is C24H36O18 , so the elements of water have been removed from the sucrose.

Do you stir caramel or not stir? ›

Instead of stirring, you gently swirl the melted sugar around in the pan to keep it moving and avoid burn spots. The agitation of stirring can cause the sugar to grab on to any unmelted crystals on the sides of the pan, and crystallization, or chunks of sugar, form in your caramel and they won't melt.

Why do you put lemon juice in caramel? ›

Acid ingredients (like vinegar or lemon juice) can help prevent re-crystallization which causes caramel to become grainy.

Why is making caramel so hard? ›

You make caramel by melting sugar, and thin pots heat unevenly. This can cause portions of the sugar to burn before the rest of it has melted. Instead, choose a sturdy, heavy-bottomed metal pot (like stainless steel) with tall sides.

How was caramel originally made? ›

Most believe caramel was created more than 1,020 years ago in 1000 AD by Arabs mixing sugar and water to create a crystallized liquid. Funny enough, the original caramel was not believed to be enjoyed as a sweet treat but rather used as a beauty product.

Is caramel made from butter and sugar? ›

Ok you may not have known this but, ~newsflash~ caramel is literally just cooked sugar with a little bit of butter (for stability) and heavy cream (for flavor & mouthfeel) stirred in at the end. The longest (and “hardest”) part of making caramel is just toasting and melting down the sugar at the very beginning.

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