If you have a sweet tooth and love a little touch of salt to balance flavors, this Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe is an absolute game-changer. It’s rich, silky, and bursting with buttery caramel goodness enhanced by just the right amount of sea salt. Whether drizzled over your favorite ice cream, poured atop warm brownies, or stirred into your morning coffee, this sauce elevates any dessert moment into a luxurious treat. I’m so excited to share this with you because it’s incredibly easy to make, yet feels like a decadent indulgence every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe relies on simple, pantry-staple ingredients that work together to create that perfectly smooth and flavorful caramel. Each component plays a vital role—whether it’s melting into the rich, creamy base or adding that distinct salty-sweet twist.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: The foundation of the caramel’s classic sweetness and caramelization.
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create that luscious, smooth texture.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream: Gives the sauce its creamy, velvety finish and balances the sugar’s intensity.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt: Provides the perfect salty contrast that makes the caramel truly pop.
How to Make Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Melt Sugar and Butter
Start by combining the granulated sugar and unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. This step is crucial because melting these together allows the sugar to dissolve evenly while the butter contributes to that rich mouthfeel.
Step 2: Stir Until Amber
Next, keep stirring constantly as the sugar dissolves and transforms into a deep amber color. This process takes patience and attention to avoid burning, but it’s key to developing that signature caramel flavor.
Step 3: Add Heavy Cream Carefully
Once the sugar-butter mixture reaches that beautiful color, slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring nonstop. The cream will bubble up aggressively, so adding it gradually while stirring helps prevent clumps and keeps the texture silky.
Step 4: Incorporate Vanilla and Sea Salt
Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract and sea salt. These final touches boost the complexity of the sauce, with vanilla warming the flavor and salt balancing the sweetness perfectly.
Step 5: Cool Slightly Before Serving
Let the caramel sauce cool for a few minutes. This encourages it to thicken just a bit, making it easier to drizzle or spread on your favorite treats.
Step 6: Enjoy Warm
Finally, serve your homemade salted caramel sauce warm over ice cream, cakes, or any dessert that needs a splash of sweet and salty magic. It’s irresistibly good and bound to become a regular in your dessert rotation.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
To amp up presentation and flavor, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the warm sauce when serving. You can also add a few toasted nuts or a dusting of cocoa powder for a lovely contrast in texture and flavor.
Side Dishes
This sauce pairs beautifully with creamy vanilla ice cream, warm apple pie, or even drizzled over pancakes and waffles for a decadent breakfast twist. It’s a delicious partner to almost any dessert you can dream up.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun idea, drizzle the salted caramel sauce over freshly baked churros or use it as a dip for sliced apples. You can also swirl it into your morning latte for a caramel-flavored boost or layer it into parfaits with whipped cream and crushed cookies for a stunning dessert cup.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover salted caramel sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Make sure it’s fully cooled before sealing to maintain its smooth texture.
Freezing
If you want to keep the sauce for longer, it freezes well too. Just transfer it to a freezer-safe container and thaw it in the fridge overnight when ready to use. Give it a good stir before reheating as some separation may occur.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the sauce over low heat on the stove or microwave it in short bursts, stirring in between. Avoid high heat to prevent burning and to maintain that glossy, luscious consistency.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
While you can, I recommend sticking to unsalted butter for precise control over the saltiness. Since this recipe adds sea salt at the end, using salted butter might make the sauce too salty.
Why does my caramel sauce crystallize or get grainy?
This usually happens if sugar crystals get into the sauce during cooking or if the sugar temperature fluctuates too much. Stirring constantly and using a clean saucepan helps prevent this. If it crystallizes, a small splash of cream can help smooth it out when reheating.
Is sea salt necessary, or can I use table salt?
Sea salt is preferred for its larger crystals and subtle mineral flavor that enhance the sauce beautifully. Table salt can be used in a pinch, but use less as it’s finer and stronger.
Can I make this sauce vegan?
You can try substituting butter with coconut oil and using coconut cream instead of heavy cream, but the flavor and texture will be slightly different. This recipe’s magic comes from the cream and butter combination.
How long will this salted caramel sauce stay fresh in the fridge?
Stored properly in an airtight container, it stays fresh up to two weeks. Always check for any unusual smell or texture before use, but it usually keeps quite well.
Final Thoughts
This Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe is one of those little kitchen treasures that brings joy every time you make it and share it. Its rich flavor and smooth texture turn simple desserts into unforgettable experiences. I hope you give it a try soon—you’ll be amazed how quickly it becomes your go-to treat for adding that perfect salty-sweet balance.
Print
Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 5m
- Cook Time: 0h 10m
- Total Time: 0h 15m
- Yield: About 1 cup sauce
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A rich and decadent salted caramel sauce made with simple ingredients, perfect for drizzling over ice cream, cakes, or any dessert to add a luscious, sweet-and-salty flavor.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Combine sugar and butter: Place 1 cup of granulated sugar and 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat.
- Melt and caramelize: Stir constantly until the sugar melts completely and the mixture turns a deep amber color, which indicates proper caramelization.
- Add cream carefully: Slowly pour in 1/2 cup of heavy cream while stirring continuously to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth sauce.
- Add flavorings: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt until well incorporated.
- Cool slightly: Allow the caramel sauce to cool a little before serving to thicken slightly and develop flavor.
- Serve: Enjoy the warm salted caramel sauce over ice cream, cakes, or your favorite desserts.
Notes
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent burning.
- Stirring constantly is key to avoid burning the sugar.
- Pour the cream slowly and carefully as the mixture will bubble up.
- Store leftover sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator and warm gently before use.
- This sauce keeps well for about 2 weeks refrigerated.
