Imagine drizzling a luxuriously smooth, golden caramel sauce that transforms ordinary desserts into extraordinary culinary masterpieces. This Super Easy Caramel Sauce is your ticket to becoming a kitchen hero, impressing friends and family with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Whether you're a novice cook or a seasoned chef, this foolproof recipe will have you creating restaurant-quality caramel sauce that's so delicious, you'll want to pour it on everything!
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 1 cup
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and have them measured and ready before starting. Use a medium-sized heavy-bottomed saucepan to ensure even heat distribution.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and add butter. Allow butter to melt completely, stirring gently to prevent burning.
- Add brown sugar to the melted butter, stirring continuously to combine. The mixture will start to look grainy and slightly clumpy initially.
- Pour in heavy cream slowly while continuing to stir. The mixture will begin to smooth out and become more liquid.
- Continue cooking and stirring for approximately 5-7 minutes, ensuring the mixture doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. The sauce will gradually thicken and become smooth.
- Remove from heat and quickly stir in vanilla extract and salt. These will enhance the depth of flavor and balance the sweetness.
- Allow the caramel sauce to cool for 5-10 minutes. It will continue to thicken as it cools to room temperature.
- Transfer to a clean glass jar or container. The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Serve warm or at room temperature over desserts, ice cream, or as a dipping sauce. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop if needed.
Tips
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent burning and ensure even heat distribution.
- Stir continuously to prevent sugar from crystallizing and to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Add cream slowly to prevent splattering and ensure a silky texture.
- Watch the heat carefully - medium heat is crucial for proper caramelization.
- Don't panic if the mixture looks grainy at first; it will smooth out as you continue cooking.
- Use room temperature cream to help prevent sudden temperature changes that can cause separation.
- For extra flavor, try using dark brown sugar for a deeper, more intense caramel taste.
- If the sauce becomes too thick when cooling, simply reheat gently and stir in a little extra cream.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 208kcal
Carbohydrates: 28g
Protein: g
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 30mg
