Buttery, rich, and a hint of salt, this Salted Caramel Sauce is smooth, silky, and tastes delicious on top of any treat.
This Salted Caramel Sauce recipe is rich, silky, and perfectly balanced with buttery caramel sweetness and a touch of sea salt. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients, this easy caramel sauce comes together in minutes and adds a decadent finishing touch to countless desserts. Drizzle it over ice cream, brownies, cheesecake, apple pie, or pancakes, stir it into coffee or hot chocolate, or use it as a dip for fresh fruit.
You can truly put this caramel sauce on everything! For more sweet sauces you have to try my Chocolate Salted Caramel Sauce, Lemon Curd, and Cranberry Orange Sauce.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
Butter – I recommend using salted butter to enhance that salted caramel flavor.
Salt – To give the caramel that classic salty addition.
Heavy Cream – The creamy element to this salted caramel sauce.
For a full list of ingredients and amounts see the recipe card below.
How to Make Salted Caramel Sauce
Step 1: Combine the sugar and water in a sauce pan and briefly stir to combine.
Step 2: Turn the stove top to medium high heat. Then, do not stir or touch the pot until the sugar has caramelized. The sugar will go from clear, to a champagne color, and then to an amber color (like a copper penny). Once it has reached this deep golden brown color, remove it from the heat.
Step 3: Right away, add in the heavy whipping cream and whisk while doing so to combine.
Step 4: Then, add the butter to the mixture and whisk until combined.
Step 5: Next, add in the vanilla and sea salt and whisk until combined.
Step 6: Finally, serve and enjoy!
FAQs
You can spoon this caramel sauce over just about anything. I like to but them on chocolate chip cookies, cakes, cupcakes, or even fruit. I also like to add a pinch of flaky sea salt on top for extra flavor.
I use salted butter for this recipe. You can also use unsalted but be sure to measure the salt to taste when adding into the pan.
Storage Information
You can store any leftovers of this homemade Salted Caramel Sauce in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Be sure the sauce has cooled completely before storing. Warm gently in the microwave when ready to use.
For longer storage you can freeze this caramel sauce in an airtight container in your freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
More Salted Caramel Recipes to Love
Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream - room temperature
- 1/4 cup butter - softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and briefly stir to combine.
- Turn the burner to medium high heat. Then, do not stir or touch the pan until the sugar has caramelized. The sugar will go from clear, to a champagne color, and then to an amber color (like a copper penny). Once it has reached this color, remove it from the heat.
- Right away, add in the heavy cream and whisk while doing so to combine.
- Then, add the butter and whisk until combined.
- Next, add in the vanilla and sea salt and whisk until combined.
- Finally, serve and enjoy!
