Salted Caramel Sauce
In short: A thick, glossy caramel sauce made from sugar, cream and butter with a pinch of sea salt, for ice cream, cakes, apples and coffee. It takes about 17 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Total
- 17 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 135 kcal
Homemade caramel sauce needs only sugar, cream, butter and salt, and a few minutes of attention. The sugar melts and turns amber, then the cream and butter go in, bubbling fiercely, and the mixture settles into a smooth, thick sauce. The salt keeps it from tasting merely sweet. Spoon it over ice cream, pancakes, baked apples or cheesecake, swirl it into brownies or coffee, or keep a jar in the fridge for a quick dessert.
Instructions
- Measure all the ingredients before you start. Have the cream, butter and salt next to the stove, because the caramel moves fast once it colors.
- Put the sugar and water in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan and stir gently over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Then stop stirring.
- Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, swirling the pan now and then, until the syrup turns deep amber, like dark honey. Do not walk away, because it can burn quickly.
- Take the pan off the heat. Pour in the cream, standing back, because the mixture bubbles up and spits. Whisk until smooth.
- Whisk in the butter a cube at a time until melted. Stir in the salt and vanilla.
- Let the sauce cool in the pan for 10 minutes. It thickens as it cools. Pour into a clean jar and store in the fridge.
Tips
- If the sugar crystallizes into lumps, add a splash of water and keep cooking over low heat until it dissolves. Brushing the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush helps prevent crystals.
- For a dairy-free version, use full-fat coconut milk and coconut oil or vegan butter. The flavor will taste of coconut, but the texture is similar.
Questions and answers
How long does homemade caramel sauce keep?
In a sealed jar in the fridge it keeps for up to 3 weeks. It firms up when cold, so warm the jar in a bowl of hot water or microwave it for 15 seconds.
Why is my caramel sauce grainy?
Sugar crystals formed, usually from stirring after the sugar dissolved or from sugar stuck to the pan sides. Reheat it gently with a spoonful of water and stir until smooth.
How do I know when the caramel is ready?
Look for a deep amber color and a nutty, toasty smell. Pale caramel tastes only sweet and a very dark one turns bitter, so take the pan off the heat at the color of dark honey.
How long does it take to make Salted Caramel Sauce?
About 17 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Salted Caramel Sauce?
About 135 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 17 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 135 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
