Salted Caramel Sauce
Make this quick and easy salted caramel sauce with only 4 simple ingredients. Drizzle over ice cream, apple pie, bread pudding, lattes and more. Rich, creamy and so delicious!
Hello, friends! I’m sharing the quickest and easiest recipe for salted caramel sauce today. I use the word recipe lightly, as it requires only 4 ingredients and less than 10 minutes of your time. You don’t even need to pull out the candy thermometer!
You may already be familiar with this salted caramel sauce if you’ve ever tried my ginger apple crumble pie or apple cinnamon multi-grain bread pudding. It’s become a favourite dessert topping around here.
There are so many ways to use this sweet, salty, sticky, and downright delicious sauce!
What Goes Well With Salted Caramel Sauce?
- vanilla ice cream or milkshake
- sliced apples, peaches, pineapple and more
- waffles and pancakes
- hot chocolate, coffee and lattes
- hot apple cider
- popcorn
- apple galette or pie
- cinnamon rolls
- brownies and cupcakes
- gingerbread bundt cake
As you can see, the options go on and on. Use your imagination to come up with even more ideas. Of course, a spoonful here and there straight from the jar is totally acceptable too!
Over the holiday season, I like to keep a jar prepared in the refrigerator. It’s a quick and easy way to put together a delicious dessert for guests in minutes. Simply heat, spoon over ice cream and top with nuts. Then, get ready for the ooh’s and ahh’s!
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How to Make Salted Caramel Sauce
Kitchen Supplies
- medium-sized heavy saucepan
- measuring cups
- whisk, mixing spoon and spatula
- glass jar(s)
Recipe Ingredients
- brown sugar
- salted butter
- whipping cream or heavy cream
- sea salt
The full list of ingredient measurements and instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Salted Caramel Instructions
Start by heating the brown sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking until it starts to break down into very fine granules.
Add butter and stir until completely melted and bubbly (about 2 minutes).
Slowly pour in cream until it comes to a boil, stirring constantly. (Use caution while heating. The hot bubbly mixture can splatter, especially while adding the cream.) Remove from heat.
Finally, add sea salt and stir. Makes about 1 cup.
Best Salted Caramel Recipe Tips
- Want a thicker caramel? Cut back on the amount of cream by about 2 tablespoons.
- Can I use unsalted butter? Yes! Increase amount of sea salt to your taste.
- Can I use golden sugar? For sure! However, brown sugar contains more molasses, which helps to create a stronger caramel flavour.
- Can I double the batch? You bet! Simply double the ingredient measurements. It will take a few minutes longer to prepare.
- How do I store salted caramel sauce? Cool, then transfer to a glass jar. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- How do I reheat? Add to a small saucepan over medium heat and stir continually until desired temperature is reached. Or, transfer to microwave-safe bowl and heat for 15 seconds at a time, stirring between.
Edible Gift Idea
Be sure to double or triple the batch if you’re looking for an easy and inexpensive gift idea for teachers, neighbours, hostesses and more. Use a pretty jar and and tie a small bamboo or wood spoon around the top with a bit of baker’s twine to finish it off.
If you’re looking for a larger gift, add a jar of homemade salted caramel sauce to a gift basket along with other kitchen goodies. You may also want to check out this collection of yummy handmade gifts for more ideas.
And, if you love treats that combine salty and sweet, I suggest making these chocolate truffles with fleur de sel. They’re super easy and totally divine.
More Caramel Recipes to Try
Time crunched? This ready-made salted caramel sauce is a good option too.
Salted Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
- ¾ cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- ¼ cup salted butter, cut into small cubes
- ½ cup whipping cream or heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Add brown sugar to a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk until it starts to break down into very fine granules.
- Add butter and stir until completely melted and bubbly (about 2 minutes).
- Slowly pour in cream until it comes to a boil, stirring constantly. (Use caution while heating. The hot bubbly mixture can splatter, especially while adding the cream.)
- Remove from heat and add salt. Best served warm.
Notes
- Want a thicker caramel? Cut back on the amount of cream by about 2 tablespoons.
- Can I use unsalted butter? Yes! Increase amount of sea salt to your taste.
- Can I use golden sugar? For sure! However, brown sugar contains more molasses, which helps to create a stronger caramel flavour.
- Can I double the batch? You bet! Simply double the ingredient measurements. It will take a few minutes longer to prepare.
- How do I store salted caramel sauce? Cool, then transfer to a glass jar. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- How do I reheat? Add to a small saucepan over medium heat and stir continually until desired temperature is reached. Or, transfer to microwave-safe bowl and heat for 15 seconds at a time, stirring between.
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Have a scrumptious day!
This sea salt caramel sauce recipe was originally published October 2021 and updated with new details and photos October 2022.