This salted caramel sauce is the kind of kitchen staple that turns even the simplest dessert into something crave-worthy. The first spoonful of this salted caramel sauce delivers buttery richness and deep caramel flavor with just the right hint of salt. You can swirl this salted caramel sauce into baked goods, drizzle it over ice cream, or keep it on standby for holiday entertaining.
Why You’ll Love This
This salted caramel sauce comes together with pantry basics yet tastes like something from a boutique dessert shop. The texture is silky, the flavor is layered, and the whole batch of salted caramel sauce takes less than 15 minutes to make. It also stores beautifully, making this salted caramel sauce perfect for gifting or meal-prepping desserts.
A well-known dessert truth? Sundaes are 1,000 times more awesome as soon as caramel sauce gets involved. For the Ice Cream Social, we served this classic Salted Caramel Sauce and coffee-spiked version for a not-as-sweet but just as crave-worthy version.
Recipe Ingredients
You only need a handful of ingredients to make salted caramel sauce at home. Granulated sugar creates the caramel base, while heavy cream and butter make the salted caramel sauce velvety and rich. Vanilla and a pinch of sea salt deepen the flavor and give this salted caramel sauce its signature balance.
How To Make This Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
Start by cooking the sugar and water until it turns a deep amber caramel, the foundation of the salted caramel sauce. Carefully whisk in the cream and butter, letting everything melt into a smooth, glossy salted caramel sauce. Finish with vanilla and sea salt, then cool slightly before using the salted caramel sauce on your favorite desserts.
Variations On This Recipe
You can infuse the salted caramel sauce with cinnamon, cardamom, or star anise for a spiced version. Add a splash of bourbon or rum to turn this salted caramel sauce into a grown-up dessert drizzle. For a deeper, nuttier flavor, brown the butter before adding it, which creates a toasted, complex, salted caramel sauce.
What To Serve With This
This salted caramel sauce pairs beautifully with everything from vanilla ice cream and brownies to fall-forward treats like apple pies and pumpkin cheesecakes. Spoon the salted caramel sauce over crepes or waffles for brunch, or swirl the salted caramel sauce into coffee drinks for a café-style treat at home. Even a simple bowl of sliced fruit becomes special when topped with warm salted caramel sauce.
More Dessert Recipes
If you love this salted caramel sauce, try these crowd-pleasing desserts on Salt & Wind:
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Classic Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Make The Caramel: Stir together the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan until the sugar is completely moistened. Brush the insides of the saucepan with a wet pastry brush to remove any sugar granules then place the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.Without stirring but swirling the pan occasionally, let the sugar boil until it turns amber in color, about 5 minutes. Give the pan a few good swirls to make sure it’s evenly cooking.
- Add The Cream: Remove from heat. Immediately add the cream and butter and swirl until the caramel is smooth and uniform in color. Return to heat and bring to boil, constantly whisking until smooth. Whisk in vanilla and salt, remove from heat, and set aside until ready to use.
