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Homemade caramel sauce drizzled from a spoon with fresh apples in the background

Homemade Caramel Sauce

This easy homemade caramel sauce is rich, buttery, smooth and perfectly sweet. Made from simple ingredients, its delicious drizzled over ice cream, desserts, pancakes, waffles, apples, in coffee and more. A simple from-scratch caramel sauce you'll want to make again and again!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water boiling
  • 6 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • pinch salt IF using unsalted butter

Method
 

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt sugar stirring constantly to prevent burning. Stir until melted sugar becomes a golden amber brown color - about 6-7 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring 1/4 cup water to a boil.
  3. Once sugar is completely melted and amber colored, add boiling water to the melted sugar. Stir constantly. This will sizzle and bubble rapidly.
  4. Add butter to melted sugar and water mixture. Once completely melted, remove from the heat.
  5. Add heavy cream and stir until combined.
  6. Mix in vanilla extract and pinch of salt (optional).
  7. Pour into desired jar or container and let cool.
  8. Serve warm or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.