I never want store-bought again after making my first homemade salted caramel sauce. If you're like me, you will LOVE this recipe! This salted caramel sauce is easy to make, and you only need five ingredients.
Although making caramel is very easy, it can also be dangerous. The sugar gets very hot and can give you severe burns if you don't pay attention.
So NEVER stick your finger in the hot caramel sauce and wait to taste it until it has completely cooled down.
I use the wet method to make my caramel. For me, this is the best way to make sure everything turns out the way I want.
Always use a heavy-bottomed pan when making caramel. This ensures that the heat is distributed more evenly and prevents your caramel from burning.
Because the color of the sugar tells you when your caramel is ready, you don't need a thermometer for this recipe.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, because of the cream I use in this recipe, I recommend keeping this sauce refrigerated. Don't worry about the thickness of the sauce. It will still be pourable when it's cold.
Your salted caramel sauce will stay in the fridge for about two weeks and three months in the freezer.
I love to drizzle caramel sauce over ice cream or pie...cookies.... anything really!
Equipment
All you need to make this recipe is a large heavy-bottomed saucepan and a kitchen scale or measuring cups.
Salted caramel sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Heat the sugar and the water in a heavy-bottomed pan until the sugar has melted and the sugar is completely dissolved and starts to bubble. Stop stirring as it starts to boil to prevent crystallization.
- Let it bubble away without stirring on medium-high heat until the sugar mixture turns a dark amber color.
- As soon as your caramel has the right color, turn off the heat and slowly add the heavy cream while stirring. This will bubble up and steam quite a bit, so please be careful!
- Add the salt and vanilla and keep stirring on low heat until everything is well combined.
- Pour the salted caramel sauce into a jar and let it cool completely. It will thicken as it cools.