Homemade Caramel Sauce

A quick and easy homemade caramel sauce recipe made in only 10 minutes with 5 simple ingredients. Drizzle the rich and creamy sauce over ice cream, popcorn, pie, and all your favorite desserts.

If this is your first time making caramel sauce at home, don’t be intimidated. It really is quite simple and with this easy recipe, you really can’t go wrong. You got this!

You won’t even need a candy thermometer as you would need for making nut brittle. All you need is a good heavy pot and 5 ingredients.

Anytime I make this sauce, I immediately get out some of my mason jar ice cream and pour the caramel sauce all over it.

While this is a great sauce for ice cream sundaes it also goes well with other desserts. I recommend you try it with apples, pancakes, cupcakes, cakes, pretzels, pies, and all the delicious sweet treats suggested at the end of this blog post.

So go on and give this easy caramel sauce recipe a try and let me know how you like it. I can almost guarantee that one you make your own caramel sauce you never buy the kind that comes in a squeeze bottle at the store again!

Ingredients for Homemade Caramel Sauce

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

• Heavy cream— The high fat from heavy cream makes the sauce nice and creamy.
• Sugar— I like to use a combination of light brown sugar and granulated sugar but if you don’t have brown sugar, you can use all white sugar instead. 
• Salted butter— When using unsalted butter, make sure to add an extra pinch of salt to include more flavor. 
• Vanilla extract— Use pure vanilla extract for the best taste.

Supplies

• medium-size heavy bottom pot or saucepan
• measuring cups and spoons
• whisk
• wooden spoon
• mason jar for storing

How to make homemade caramel sauce

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below. 

Step 1: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat together the heavy cream, granulated white sugar, light brown sugar, salted butter, and vanilla extract. Once the butter melts, gently whisk everything together.

Step 2: Bring the sauce to a gentle boil. It should still have bubbles even when stirred. Once it comes to a boil, stir constantly while simmering for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly (I like to aim for the consistency of light corn syrup).

Step 3: Once the sauce has reached the desired thickness, remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool. Remember, as it cools, it will thicken more. 

Step 4: Pour the sauce into a lidded glass jar and refrigerate until serving.  

Storage

Refrigerator: Store your homemade caramel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Freezer: You can freeze homemade caramel sauce in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

How to reheat caramel sauce

When ready to use, heat up in the microwave or on the stovetop. Be careful not to cook it for any longer than it takes to warm it up to your desired temperature or it will harden. 

Expert tips & tricks

• Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan. A thin, low-quality pan can cause the sauce to heat unevenly.
• Do not overcook. If you heat this sauce too much, it will thicken to the point where it won’t be pourable once it cools and you will need to add more heavy cream. Once the sauce doesn’t stick to the sides of the pan anymore, it is overdone and needs to be taken off the heat immediately. 
• Add salt. Add a generous pinch of sea salt after the caramel comes off the burner for a delicious salted caramel sauce.

Homemade caramel sauce FAQ

Serving suggestions

This creamy caramel sauce is very versatile. The options are truly endless.

• Drizzle it over ice cream, apple pie, cheesecake, or cinnamon rolls.
• Stir it into hot or iced coffee.
• Use it as a dip for apple slices or other fruit.

Or use your delicious caramel sauce in one of the following recipes.

My favorite caramel recipes

• Apple Nachos
• Caramel Macchiato
• Apple Pie Crescent Rolls
• Caramel Apple Crumb Cake
• Caramel Frappuccino
• Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
• Apple Crisp with Cake Mix

Recipe

Recipe

4.73 from 11 votes

Homemade Caramel Sauce

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 2 minutes mins

Cook: 5 minutes mins

Total: 7 minutes mins

A quick and easy homemade caramel sauce recipe made in under 10 minutes with 5 simple ingredients. Drizzle the rich and creamy sauce over ice cream, popcorn, pie, and all your favorite desserts.

Print

Pin

Save Saved!

Rate

Ingredients

 

• ▢ ⅔ cup heavy cream
• ▢ ½ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ ½ cup light brown sugar packed
• ▢ ½ cup salted butter
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat together the heavy cream, granulated white sugar, light brown sugar, salted butter, and vanilla extract. Once the butter melts, gently whisk everything together.
• Bring the sauce to a gentle boil. It should still have bubbles even when stirred. Once it comes to a boil, stir constantly while simmering for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly (I like to aim for the consistency of light corn syrup).
• Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool. As it cools, it will thicken more. 
• Pour the sauce into a lidded glass jar and refrigerate until serving.  

Notes

• Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.
• Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 132kcal

Did You Make This Recipe?

Share it with me on Instagram @crayonsandcravings and follow on Pinterest @crayonsandcravings for even more!

Email Recipe Pin Recipe Leave A Review